5 Things / Cat Equity
Listen to this episode:
This week I was responsible for caring for someone’s three cats (long story). One of the three cats is shy and the other two like to stare him down, scare him away from his food, and then eat it. They do this even though they still have their own food. There’s plenty of food.
I decided to give the shy cat a head start by feeding him first and bringing the bowl directly to him. He gets to eat more this way. Cat equity.
Equity is, simply: more for those who need it. Now some could argue that the cat should toughen up, pull itself up by its fur, and fight to keep his food. I’d rather remember that there’s plenty of food and the cat just needs less oppressive access to it.
Deep thoughts this week, dear reader….
Here Are This Week's Good Vibes:
More states strive to make parks, trails accessible
Split Rock Lighthouse State Park in Minnesota is breaking barriers with a new all-terrain wheelchair, making its stunning views accessible to everyone, including those with mobility challenges. This is part of Minnesota's broader effort, (with significant legislative investment), to enhance outdoor accessibility. I love when thoughtful innovations and investments can make the outdoors and natural beauty accessible to all. I hope this sets a precedent for other states to follow.
Dove and Open Source Afro Hair Library launch Code My Crown
Dove and the Open Source Afro Hair Library have launched the "Code My Crown" guide, a groundbreaking resource for game developers. This free guide offers instructions and source code to create authentic Black hairstyles in video games, addressing the longstanding underrepresentation of afro-textured hair in this medium. Historically, video games have offered limited hairstyle options for Black characters, often relegating such styles to downloadable content post-launch. "Code My Crown" is a significant step towards inclusivity in gaming, reflecting the diversity and dynamism of Black hair and culture.
Companies leading in disability inclusion outperform peers
A recent study, "The Disability Inclusion Imperative," shows that companies leading in disability inclusion over a five-year period saw 1.6 times more revenue and 2.6 times more net income compared to others. This presents compelling evidence on the business benefits of disability inclusion (so use this story to make your case!). The report also showed that disabilities in the workforce rose from 29% to 37%, attributed to more accessible remote work and advanced technologies.
Companies offer more generous bereavement leave in pandemic’s wake and expand who counts as ‘family’
Johnson & Johnson's recently increased bereavement leave from five to 30 days, influenced by an employee’s personal tragedy and plea to the company. American Express and JPMorgan Chase have done the same, recognizing that grief doesn't adhere to a fixed timeline. What I love about this is that the new policies also reflect an expanded definition of family, highlighting a growing understanding of diverse cultural grieving practices. The results at J&J are significant: the CHRO reports that this policy change has received more positive feedback than from any other HR policy shift during his 16 years at the company. This shift towards more empathetic workplace is good for everyone.
AI is helping new parents apply for paid leave
AI for good! Paidleave.ai, a new online tool using generative AI, is a game-changer for new parents in New York, simplifying the complex process of applying for paid family leave. By inputting their situation, users receive tailored advice on eligibility and necessary documentation for paid leave, addressing language barriers with multi-language support. While it currently focuses on New York, the broader vision is to expand and streamline access to public benefits, demonstrating technology's potential to make bureaucratic processes more inclusive and accessible, slowly close the equality gap.
This Week’s Call to Action:
Listen to this interview with Better Allies’ Karen Catlin as she talks about inclusive holiday parties. It’s here on the Invisible Voices podcast.