ADD International’s Post

To create a truly inclusive industry, it is essential to ensure that disabled voices are heard at all levels – from production to executive leadership.

I agree that disabled people should feature at all levels in an organisation but for that to happen all training and development opportunities need to be given to them and be accessible for them as well. Include disabled people in the planning of training courses, to ensure they are fit for purpose for their needs.

State of North Carolina's NC Council on Developmental Disabilities is working with AKALAKA to build the NC Advocacy Leaders Network! Know someone who has participated in some innovative leadership training programs focused on improving policies and practices that affect our disabled community? Share this post to invite them to join today at AKALAKA.org 🌻 Want to learn more about the network we're building? Submit the form to get connected! Programs include: Partners in Policymaking, NC IDD Peer Mentor Training, Ability Leadership Project of NC, Advancing Strong Leadership, Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Related Disabilities, NC GRIP - Advocates for People with Disabilities, Steps Toward Independence and Responsibility, NC Stakeholder Engagement Group. #DevelopmentalDisabilitiesAwarenessMonth #DevelopmentalDisabilities

I am grateful for David Clarke’s powerful video. It underscores an essential truth: the pathway to leadership for disabled individuals must begin at the same time as it does for everyone else. Inclusion means ensuring equal access to opportunities such as summer internships, science and arts camps, co-op programs, vocational training, summer jobs, and participation in sports. These experiences build vital skills, networks, teamwork habits, and confidence long before entering the job market. Without equal access, disabled youth face unfair limitations, and society loses out on their contributions, potential, and unique perspectives. But there’s also a corporate case to consider: by failing to provide these pathways, businesses miss out on a broader pool of potential employees. At a time of labor shortages, this seems like an obvious win-win. Be it for the social good or for corporate self-interest, we all benefit from efforts to adapt programs, actively reach out to disabled youth, and foster their participation alongside their peers. Leadership journeys don’t start in the workplace; they start in those formative years. The next step is clear we need to build the pathways… Build it, and they will come.

The Leadership Institutes from the National Leadership Consortium on Developmental Disabilities can have a big impact! Check out the infographic below and learn more about their upcoming Summer Leadership Institute here: https://loom.ly/-uOM0yA

🎉 Celebrating International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) 🎉 Next up in our special video series with Dylan Alcott OAM is our Sport4All program leader Mitch Gourley! From his Paralympic journey to becoming a dad, Mitch opens up about the experiences that have shaped his leadership. In this candid conversation, he shares advice for organisations looking to embrace inclusion; start with the basics - ask questions, don’t be afraid to learn, and make accessibility a priority from the beginning, not an afterthought! 📢 Stay tuned for more stories from GSA’s inspiring leaders this week. 👉 Watch Mitch’s full interview and explore all four stories on our website: https://lnkd.in/gC_Ynp7N #IDPwD2024 #DisabilityInclusion #LeadershipInFocus #JustBe #GetSkilledAccess Video ID: Dylan Alcott and Mitch Gourley in a conversation in a well lit room. The background music is soft. The video alternates between close-ups of Dylan and Mitch as they speak.

The theme is Amplyfying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future. On this day, let's not just amplify leadership. Let's demand it. Let's create spaces where persons with disabilities can thrive as leaders, shaping a future that is inclusive, equitable and sustainable. Our call to you: How are you amplifying the voices of persons with disabilities in your community?

Every business is part of at least one community. Every business has an impact on and is impacted by those communities. This is one of many reasons why civic engagement is a critical leadership competency. At WeTheChange, we're dedicating a large portion of our advocacy efforts to strengthening democracy. This looks like: 🖥 A five-part virtual learning series on the role of business in democracy (free to ALL women and non-binary leaders of B Corps and purpose-driven businesses. 📚 Sharing resources to promote civic engagement. 📬 A non-partisan get-out-the-vote postcard campaign. Learn more about our advocacy efforts here: https://lnkd.in/gwEH-qKT Join us as a member if you want to get even more engaged: https://lnkd.in/gdhpKJ9V

Highland BlindCraft has been supporting people with disabilities for 143 years, providing meaningful work opportunities while crafting high-quality products like bedframes and mattresses in Inverness. This year, under CEO Deirdrie Aitken’s leadership, the organization celebrated four major awards and remains committed to empowering its staff and strengthening its community impact despite rising costs. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eszYWNQw

Today is a day where we amplify the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future. 2include celebrate people with disability as leaders. Leaders with disability make the world a fairer place for everyone. In Australia, we are striving for more people with disability in leadership roles and it is important for people with disability to be leaders at all levels, including at the local level and above. 2include supports the inclusion of more diverse leadership roles in Australia and encourages all our participants to strive for their passion and dreams. Not only do we support people with disability, we are also creating opportunities to amplify voices, and to work together to make Australia more inclusive and accessible.