Building Inclusive Workplaces: Allyship for Disability and Neurodiversity

During the expert session, Tash Koster-Thomas engages the audience through interactive exercises using the Mentimeter app, Q&A sessions, and live demonstrations. 

•  Embracing Diversity Beyond Stereotypes: Understanding that neurodivergent individuals possess a wide range of skills and interests beyond their conditions is crucial for creating inclusive workplaces.
• Accessible Accommodations for All: Debunking the myth that accommodations for employees with disabilities are costly and promoting normalization of these practices in the workplace.
• Breaking Down Barriers to Support: Acknowledging the challenges preventing individuals from asking for support, such as lack of information and stigma, and implementing strategies to reduce these barriers through communication, clear accessibility, and psychological safety in the workplace.

In this expert session, Tash Koster-Thomas, an equity diversity and inclusion consultant, discusses the importance of allyship for disability and neurodiversity. Tash begins by setting up a respectful and inclusive learning environment, encouraging participants to use tools such as subtitles and interactive applications like Mentimeter.

Tash shares her passion for fostering inclusivity, emphasizing the significance of creating a culture that values differences and promotes open dialogue around disability and neurodiversity. She defines an ally as someone who advocates for the equality of marginalized groups they are not part of, encouraging everyone to embrace inter-allyship.

Tash explores the barriers to allyship, including common misconceptions and stereotypes surrounding disabilities and neurodivergence. She highlights that everyone can be an active ally for various identities. Tash then focuses on building alliances in workplaces, discussing the importance of recognizing and appreciating the diverse skills and strengths of individuals with disabilities and neurodivergent conditions.

Throughout the session, participants engage in activities to explore myths about accommodations, communication preferences, and workplace barriers preventing individuals from seeking support. Tash addresses these misconceptions and highlights practical solutions to reduce these barriers, such as clear communication, normalizing mistakes, advocacy, and psychological safety.

The session also covers the importance of being mindful of language and assumptions when creating inclusive workplaces for individuals with disabilities and neurodiversity. Tash shares her personal experiences and encourages active listening, empathy, and collaboration to create a more equitable environment.

Inclusive Leadership: Succeeding Across Cultures

This session equips leaders with the knowledge and tools to build strong, respectful relationships across cultural boundaries. Participants will explore cultural dimensions, communication styles, and leadership approaches that vary across global contexts. Through interactive activities, case studies, and self-refelction, leaders will gain insight into their own cultural perspectives and learn strategies to bridge differences, foster inclusivity, and drive results in diverse environments. By the end of the session, leaders will be prepared to lead more effectively and inclusively across cultures, promoting collaboration and innovation.