What inclusion means to me? By Amba, Project Choice Alumni

I am Amba, I have a learning disability and a physical disability. I am a member of the Project Choice presenter crew which is an advisory group of current and past interns with a disability. The purpose of our crew is to help to remove stigma from people who have physical and learning disabilities and just give our opinions!

I was part of Project Choice and completed a supported internship. Since completing the course, I completed an apprenticeship and am now attending university and have a job at my local supermarket. Without Project Choice, I would not have had the confidence to be where I am now. When I finished school, I could not walk across a road on my own, let alone go to university and have a job.

For Disability History Month 2022, myself and the presenter crew thought about our experiences in the workplace. We want to highlight what inclusion in the workplace means to us through three main themes that we all had in common.

Equality

The definition of equality is ‘the state of being equal, especially in status, right or opportunities.’

As a disabled mixed-race individual, it is important that I have the same opportunities as anyone else as there are not many people like me in the workplace. An example of this is job interviews. It is essential that I am treated the same and get the same people to interview me and the same questions as the other candidates. Interview situations can be anxiety provoking and it is essential that people with disability have the appropriate time to process and answer questions to the best of their abilities.

Interviewers must be patient and ask questions in clear and simple language to get the best out of the person.

Reasonable Adjustments

Reasonable adjustments are additional measures put in place to help an individual succeed just like their peers/work colleagues. I have additional support in and outside the university classroom. I get study support and emotional support so I can do my best.

Even the smallest adjustment can help to make the biggest difference for an individual’s confidence, effectiveness and for them to included within the workplace.

Open and Clear Communication

It is essential for people in the workplace to communicate effectively and efficiently. In our experience, we try hard to have a good relationship with others, but this sometimes fails. This might be because it is hard to communicate. It can be sometimes difficult to understand disabled people, especially if they use a device, sign language or other methods of communication.

Sometimes people do not have experience of communicating or working with people with a disability, so there can be ignorance and avoidance. This stigma could be due to lack of training, care, knowledge or understanding.

One tip is to give people time for them to express their opinions and voice. Try to get to the point as simply as possible, try to stay on topic and give people time.

A little patience goes a long way.

We want everybody to see what people can do, not what they cannot do. The focus should be on the person not their condition.

If any disabled person wants to go into work, I will say, enjoy it! and get help when needed. People are more than willing to help if you are specific about the things, you want help with. You will learn so many valuable skills including having a voice and confidence.