5 Things / Follow the ARC
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I went to an event this week where there was a panel on allyship. Someone in the audience with a disability spoke up, “Enthusiastic allies, please don’t practice ‘benevolent ableism’, by giving us things you think we need without first asking what it is we actually need.”
Ask us.
Another person added, “it’s like the old saying ‘measure twice, cut once’, except here it’s ‘ask us and then ask again, before making assumptions.’”
Kind curiosity is the core theme behind the ARC Method we teach in our workshops and in my keynote Voices Carry: The ARC of Inclusive Leadership. In the case of avoiding benevolent ableism, or actually anything, some starter questions could be, “Do you have any suggestions on how I can set you up for success?” or “What can I do to better support you?” Whatever the response is, respect it: stay present, don’t interrupt, don’t dismiss. Then follow through and connect by paraphrasing and/or validating what was said like so: “OK, so what you’re telling me is…? I can help you with that….”
Follow the ARC. I even have a song for that, exclusively for my in-person keynote audiences.
Here Are This Week's Good Vibes:
NYC Worker Protections Grow With Rare Ban on Weight, Height Bias
New York City's new law against height and weight discrimination is in effect, providing a significant step in protecting higher weight individuals from workplace bias. This law, unique in the US, is not just about employment but also covers housing and public spaces. Historically, claims of size-related bias had to be linked to other protected categories, like disabilities. This law provides a direct avenue for addressing such discrimination through the city’s civil rights agency. This law matters because it highlights and seeks to rectify the often-overlooked issue of body-size bias, promoting more inclusive workplaces and public spaces.
Incarcerated students earn degrees in groundbreaking US university program
Northwestern University made history as incarcerated students graduated with bachelor's degrees, a first for a top-10 US university. These students, part of the Northwestern Prison Education Program, persevered through the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic with limited resources. Their success not only highlights the transformative power of education in challenging settings but also sets a precedent for educational opportunities within the prison system, emphasizing rehabilitation and potential over punishment.
At Malls Nationwide, Santa Goes Sensory-Friendly
This holiday season, over 300 malls across the U.S. are hosting "Caring Santa" and "Sensitive Santa" events, catering specifically to children with disabilities. These events provide a sensory-friendly environment where Santa and staff are trained to support children with various needs. By holding these events outside regular hours, reducing lighting and music, and requiring reservations to minimize crowds, these malls are creating an inclusive and accessible holiday experience. This initiative is significant as it acknowledges and accommodates the diverse needs of all children, ensuring a joyful and comfortable Santa meeting experience for families with special needs.
Awards show de-genders category in honor of nonbinary icon Janelle Monáe
Janelle Monáe's influence led the Soul Train Awards to transform their "Lady of Soul" award into the gender-neutral "Spirit of Soul" award, recognizing her as a nonbinary artist. This change reflects a slowly growing movement in the entertainment industry to de-gender awards – the Grammys do it, but none of the other major awards do it (yet). Monáe's acceptance speech highlighted her commitment to authentic representation and giving voice to those who feel unseen and unheard. This move by the Soul Train Awards sets an important precedent for recognizing talent beyond traditional gender binaries and is a significant step in acknowledging and celebrating the diverse identities of artists.
Comcast launches live video ASL interpretation at Philadelphia stores
Comcast is breaking barriers in digital inclusion by introducing live American Sign Language (ASL) interpreting services in six Philadelphia Xfinity Stores, a first in U.S. telecom retail. The way this works is that reps in the Philly stores will utilize ASL Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) to access a live interpreter provided by partner, Communication Service for the Deaf (CSD). 3.6% of the U.S. population is deaf or hard of hearing, and many face online access challenges. In these stores (and hopefully more to come), Comcast is not just enhancing customer experience; it’s championing accessibility and inclusivity, setting a standard for others to follow in creating a more connected and equitable community.
This Week’s Call to Action:
Watch this TEDx Talk on Uncovering Talent: The Power of Authenticity by Kenji Yoshino, the Chief Justice Earl Warren Professor of Constitutional Law and the Director of the Meltzer Center for Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging at NYU School of Law.