Elliott Orrin Hinkle 🏳️‍⚧️🦄🏳️‍🌈’s Post

It's frustrating to see the same old excuses being used to explain away the dysfunction in our systems—"Oh, the bureaucracy... it's such a dinosaur. I wish I could do something about it." But the truth is, it's not just the system. It’s the people with power. As someone with lived experience who genuinely cares and puts my whole self out there, it's hard to accept that many of the loudest voices pushing for change are the ones who are blocking it the most. The hypocrisy is overwhelming. For those in positions of power: Are you really ready to hear the voices of those you claim to support? Because too often, those voices are being silenced, dismissed, or told to conform to someone else’s idea of how to speak, when to speak, and in what way. Like Elliott Orrin Hinkle 🏳️⚧️🦄🏳️🌈 pointed out in the Community In-Site episode I was a guest on, “We want to hear you, but not like that.” It disheartens me to know that pieces like this will continue to give false allies the ammunition they need to keep paying lip service to change, while doing exactly what this article condemns. All around me, I'm seeing feigned attempts at authentic lived experience engagement go down just as quickly as the buzz words shot up. Lived expert leaders are being replaced by individuals with no proximity to the issues speaking on their behalf while simultaneously unable to be in the same room, let alone partner, with people on the ground. We need to demand real accountability, and we need to be brave enough to listen to and empower the voices that have been silenced for far too long. #livedexperience #systemschange #sharedpower #familywellbeing #parentleader #thrivingfamilies

Are you feeling a little flat after pride month? I know I am. It's so important to remember and acknowledge that when we share our stories and life experiences, we are giving a little bit of ourselves away. Taking time for self-care and relaxation is crucial. It's also important to remember this for anyone in our employment who has recently come out or shared experiences. They need support and time to be. #PrideMonth #Inclusion #Support #SelfCare #WorkplaceSupport

Every person counts. Let’s ensure every person matters.🌍✨#WorldPopulationDay2024 #Zaithoon #ZaithoonTechnicalServices #WorldPopulationDay #PopulationDay #GlobalFamily #SustainableFuture #Empowerment #PopulationGrowth

Navigating Work Friendships: A Fine Line Work can be a breeding ground for friendships. Shared experiences, deadlines, and inside jokes can quickly forge bonds. But is that colleague a coworker or a friend? Here is my opinion Things to Consider: * Professional Boundaries: Keep work and personal life somewhat separate. Oversharing can create awkward situations. * Office Gossip: Avoid getting caught in the rumor mill. It can damage reputations and create a toxic environment. * Favoritism: Be mindful of showing favoritism towards certain colleagues. It can breed resentment and impact your professional image. * Confidentiality: Respect confidential information shared within the company. Getting Too Close? Close work friendships can be rewarding, but they also carry risks: * Potential for Conflict: Disagreements at work can easily spill over into personal relationships. * Jealousy and Resentment: If one person benefits more from the relationship (e.g., promotions, favors), it can create tension. * Impact on Career: Close friendships can sometimes cloud judgment and make it harder to give or receive constructive criticism. The Bottom Line: Work relationships can enrich your professional life, but it's important to maintain healthy boundaries. Cultivate respectful and professional interactions while enjoying the camaraderie that comes with a supportive work environment. AIG #disability #workrelationships #workfriendships #professionalism #boundaries #careeradvice disABLEDperson.com

When I entered the workforce at seventeen as a looked after child, the role I was given was described as an "opportunity," supposedly a chance to prove myself. From the start, it was clear this "opportunity" was far from fair or supportive. I was constantly micromanaged, judged and looked down upon, made to feel as though I should be grateful for even having a role. I was told, directly or indirectly, that without this role I would be a nobody. What became even more apparent was the tokenism and exploitation that organisations subject care-experienced young people to. I was paraded as a token example of their supposed inclusivity but treated as though my worth ended there. I was expected to do the work of a 36-hour job in just 12 hours and paid the bare minimum for it. Like any other person working, no matter how passionate I was about the role, I was there to make a living and survive. This basic need was ignored, as though my enthusiasm somehow justified the exploitation. Even as a care leaver, the discrimination continues. Those in managerial positions, the very people who could make a difference, are often the ones reinforcing harmful stereotypes. They create roles that exploit the vulnerability of people like me, expecting us to settle for low pay and unbearable workloads while insisting we should be "grateful" for the chance. Behind closed doors, I was undervalued, overworked and treated as disposable. My experience was reduced to a badge of inclusivity for them to wear while the reality of my situation was ignored. They failed to see me as an individual with skills, ambition and the same right as anyone else to fair pay and respect. Despite the exploitation and constant judgement, I refuse to let these experiences silence me. I am determined to challenge these practices and fight for a world where care-experienced individuals are treated with dignity. We are not tokens. We are not here to be exploited. We are here to succeed on our own terms, to earn a living and to survive with the respect and fairness every person deserves. #CareLeavers #WorkplaceDiscrimination #Tokenism #Exploitation #LookedAfterChildren #EqualOpportunities #FairPay #InclusionMatters #StopStereotypes #CareExperienced #YoungWorkersRights #ManagerialBias #EndExploitation #SocialJustice #Resilience #MTICBIAI #MyTraumaIsChronicButIAmIconic

The main disabling factor in the lives of so many people is a society which doesn’t include them.   For many talented jobseekers, the recruitment process presents disabling barriers through lack of awareness, stigma and bias.   The reality is that by having stigmatised views of disability, businesses are missing out. They’re missing out on talented individuals, new ways of working, creativity and different insights.   Are you genuinely open to hiring job seekers with a #disability? Is your business, management, HR and recruitment team truly aware of the positive contribution a candidate with a disability can bring to your company?   If not, then why not? Is it because of a negative views and an inability to see the ability within disability?! If you think this may be the case, then the first step is to change that narrative through #disabilityawareness training.   If you are interested in getting the ball rolling on creating a positive awareness of disability within your business, get in touch with Ability Focus and we can look at a #training programme to suit your needs. Disability Awareness Training in Ireland is covered by the 90% Disability Awareness Support Scheme (DASS) Grant. Email info@abilityfocus.ie or call the office on (01) 699 1150 to find out more.   In the meantime…check out this amazing video from HSBC on the benefits of having #neurodiverse colleagues on your team… https://lnkd.in/eUGe59Dj #neurodiversity #disabilityawareness #diversityandinclusion #ireland #diversity

🗞📰Something new 📰🗞 I want to share something important yet necessary in this climate. It is time to bring about conscious efforts ans practices to support the recruitment and retention of Black and minority carers and staff in the fostering sector. The sector talks about overrepresentation of black and minority children, poor outcomes for care leavers and underrepresented of Black and minority caraers.....but what are WE doing to address this problem???? The Cultural Compass Mark, is an esteemed award celebrating fostering organisations dedicated to diversity, inclusion, and belonging. Crafted with insights from social workers, foster carers, anti-racist practitioners, and HR specialists, this accolade is founded on 16 principles driving transformative change within organisations. Our Accreditation offers a rigorous, measurable assessment framework recognising fostering organisations' steadfast commitment to diversity, inclusivity, and equitable practices. Embarking on this journey showcases not just a dedication to honoring diversity but also an acknowledgment of the profound impact inclusion, diversity, and belonging have on foster carers and the children they support. Through our tiered accreditation system, organisations signify the depth of their commitment to fostering inclusivity and diversity. We belive that this front facing accolade, demonstrates your active efforts to support the infrastructure to recruit and retain black and minority carers and staff. Which will support the sector and the children we serve!! "Embracing innovation often leads to new and unexpected outcomes. Remember, doing the same things yields the same different opens the door to fresh possibilities and untapped potentials." BFCA Interested in learning more, feel free to DM ro arrange a meeting. #DiversityandInclusion #CulturalCompassMark

Promotions. Leadership Positions, and People with Disabilities: It's important not to make assumptions about what people who have disabilities, mental health issues, neurodivergent traits and chronic conditions can handle job-wise. Why? Because sometimes that higher-level job or position of leadership suits their personality and skills so well that the job is actually easier for them to do than their current position. During a recent talk at Kellanova Canada, I described some of my own experiences with this issue. https://lnkd.in/gBqrDaSd #workplaceInclusion #InvisibleDisability #HR #DisabilityInclusion Inclusion Speakers dot com

What do I stand for? 🙌 Here are the key pillars that define me: 1. I'm a carer My role as a carer extends beyond just my immediate circle; it influences every aspect of my life. In caring for horses, I've learned the true meaning of empathy and responsibility. 2. I am a perfectionist Striving for perfection is a double-edged sword. In the realm of STEM, where women are significantly underrepresented, pushing for excellence is my way of levelling the playing field. The pursuit of perfection also comes with its set of challenges. Through this, I've learned the importance of resilience and adaptability, embracing the imperfections that make us human. 3. Integrity Living with honesty and transparency is non-negotiable for me. Whether it's in making tough ethical decisions or simply being true to my word, integrity is the compass that guides my actions. It's not always the easiest path, but it's the one that ensures I stay true to myself and those who trust in me. 4. I like to build people up There's immense joy and fulfilment in seeing others achieve their dreams. I've dedicated myself to creating environments where people feel valued, understood, and empowered. 5. Giving back Supporting causes close to my heart is how I give back to the community. These acts of service, whether large or small, are my way of contributing to the greater good, fostering a sense of purpose. 🌟 These values inspire me on my journey, bringing fulfilment and success. What would you consider your values? Let me know below. #PersonalValues #ProfessionalJourney #Integrity

Met some of the loveliest people yesterday. Here's to a long and fruitful relationship! 🥂 #DenverEmpower #EmpowerDenver #DenverCommunity #DenverGrowth #DenverImpact #Empowerment #CommunityBuilding #DenverStrength #DenverSupport #CommunitySupport #DenverNetworking #BusinessGrowth #CommunityImpact #EmpowermentJourney