What is the annual budget for inclusion?
During an eye-opening conversation about inclusion and accessibility at corporations and organizations with dear friend and mentor Richard Streitz, COO at Ruh Global IMPACT and lifelong Inclusion and Accessibility Advocate, his advice was to start asking questions. What is the annual budget? Who is the responsible Executive? What progress has been made over the past few years? Can we see some of the inclusion and accessibility projects?
In too many cases the answers to these questions are either symbolic PR-like statements, or evasive. And that is exactly what Richard was pointing at. Inclusion and Accessibility is either part of the company strategic objectives, or is not really present besides some slogans and the good-old “oh, but we hired someone with a disability”. It is much like Health & Safety in industrial environments, or cybersecurity in the digital age. It is either at the top of your agenda and actions, or it is just a poster for appearances.
Ask questions about inclusion and accessibility, ask questions about diversity and equal opportunities, and don’t accept the marketing slogans as answers!
Dr. ir Johannes Drooghaag – CEO Spearhead Management