Five Takeaways from Our Signature DEIA Program

Photo: Olivia Dolley

As we close out 2023, the WMPRSA DEIA Committee is celebrating another great signature event. In late October, we hosted “Accessibility in the Workplace: Going Beyond Compliance.”

This was an opportunity for our organization to not only recognize the importance of the disability community but also to take steps to better understand it. We partnered with Disability Advocates of Kent County (DAKC) and Special Olympics Michigan (SOMI) to bring in five panelists teach us about creating a more equitable workplace environment.

This event wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of our sponsors, including platinum sponsor: GVSU; silver sponsors black truck media + marketing and the Disability Inclusion series; digital accessibility sponsors Rick Chambers & Associates and COM 616, and ASL Interpreter sponsors: Hungerford Nichols CPAs + Advisors and Burch Partners

The evening began with tours and a discussion inside the beautiful SOMI Unified Sports and Inclusion Center. Our panel featured people with disabilities ranging from visible to invisible. Each shared their journey and answered questions about accessibility challenges in the workplace.

“This was a great panel to be a part of as it was evident that everyone on stage not only ran into barriers in the community/workforce related to perceptions about their disability but strive to ensure others don’t face the same undue hardships as they seek to live the lives they choose,” says Jonathan K. Cauchi, Inclusion Consultant and Trainer at Disability Advocates of Kent County.

Jonathan did double duty as both a panelist and gave tours of the SOMI center, where DAKC and other organizations that serve the disability community have offices.

Beginning with a tour allowed attendees to see all the work done by nonprofit organizations to create inclusion in the community for people with disabilities.

“I hope the takeaway for the audience is to realize we, as individuals with disabilities, are capable and an important part of the workforce. I hope our shared experiences showed just how diverse disability is and how a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work,” says Lucia Rios, 2023 WMPRSA Media Person of the Year and co-editor of the Disability Inclusion series, which explores the state of West Michigan's growing disability community. She’s also a Workforce Navigators Program Associate for People with Disabilities.

J.J. Johnson, whose business, Deaf Catalyst, provides inclusive communications training, echoed Lucia’s message.

“Everyone’s stories are so different, yet the same. Disabled people might fit neatly in a box, but only because they’ve been historically forced to conform to society’s expectations of what and how disabled people should be. It’s only when people dare to defy expectations — with key, crucial support — that there are no longer neat boxes, but a beautiful tapestry, illustrating what it means to be human,” shared J.J., who stepped in for Bethany James, American Sign Language interpreter and the owner of Regional Interpreting Network, when a last-minute issue kept her from participating.

“When hearing people gaze upon deaf people, they might think: Illiterate. Developmentally disabled: A burden,” J.J. said. “After all, that’s what society says about us deaf. But that night, and today, I hope everyone left with the understanding that what truly limits ourselves and each other is, to paraphrase, our inhumanity to each other.”

Panelist Megan Howe noted that, as an employee, it can be hard to be vulnerable and ask for help.

“So, I encourage individuals to take a step out of their comfort zone because employers are often willing to do anything to ensure the success of their employees. That said, I encourage employers to be proactive by thinking outside the box and moving beyond minimum ADA compliance,” said Megan, a CPA, Manager at Hungerford Nichols and the board treasurer of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services.

The panelists discussed ways employers can create accessible communication strategies, build inclusive teams, and make events and spaces accessible for all communities.

"As employers who seek to have a diverse and inclusive team, where people truly feel welcomed and engaged, we must focus on accessibility and removing barriers in the workplace,” says the Rev. Katherine Lee Baker, Manager for Diversity and Inclusion at Meijer. “We can do this by focusing on our customers’ needs, partnering with organizations to benchmark best practices and foster innovation, amplifying diverse suppliers (especially disability-owned business enterprises), and supporting the good work already going on in our communities."

Katherine is also a trustee for the Mary Free Bed Foundation, a cabinet member for the Women's Resource Center Propel Campaign, a board member for Sister Cities International, and a member of the Community Master Plan Steering Committee for the city of Grand Rapids.

The DEIA Committee hopes to build on the insights gained from this event. The goal is to continue a dialogue that translates into meaningful actions that empower all employers to establish workplaces and cultures that are universally accessible and inclusive.

“We have much to contemplate and much more work to do,” said Angela Klinske, co-chair of the DEIA committee with Delaney MacKenzie. “Together, may we continue to embrace the opportunities we have to collaborate and foster a workforce that is truly equitable and inclusive for all.”

If you would like to join the WMPRSA DEIA Committee, contact Angela Klinske or Delaney MacKenzie.