The Importance of Disability Inclusion

Did you know that there are 61 million people with disabilities in the United States alone, yet people with disabilities are often excluded from full participation in work and life? Companies that commit to disability inclusion have, on average, 28% higher revenue, double the net income, and 30% higher economic profit margins than their peers. If your business doesn’t have an actionable strategy for disability inclusion, you’re leaving 26% of American adults — and the potential for greater revenue — waiting at the door. This course shows you how to integrate disability inclusion into the core of your organization’s culture, strategy, and daily operations, so that you can incite cultural change around diversity and inclusion and cultivate stronger innovation as well.

Course curriculum

  • 1

    Introduction

    • About This Course (text)

    • How to Navigate Thinkific (audio segment)

    • Meet Your Instructors (video)
  • 2

    Understanding Disabilities

    • Just Because... (text)

    • Introduction (video)

    • Learning Objectives (text)

    • Understanding Disabilities (video)

    • History of Disability (video)

    • It Was Us... (text)

    • About Audio Descriptions (text)

    • Intersectionality (text)

    • Categories of Disability with Audio Descriptions (video)

    • Categories of Disability (video)

    • Why Concepts Matter (text)

    • Conceptual Models of Disability (slideshow video)

    • A Personal Story (audio segment)

    • The Disability Inclusion Movement (video)

    • Key Terms (download)

    • Upcoming Quiz (text)

    • Quiz (interactive)

    • References (download)
  • 3

    Disability Etiquette

    • Diversity is... Inclusion is... (text)

    • Introduction (video)

    • Learning Objectives (text)

    • Inclusive Disability Language (video)

    • Microaggressions (video)

    • Awkward No More (video)

    • Guidelines for Behavior (video)

    • The Core Principles of Disability Etiquette (download)

    • Respectful Behavior at Work (video)

    • Best Practices for Respectful Behavior at Work (slideshow video)

    • A Note on Clear Masks (text)

    • Conclusion (video)

    • Key Terms (download)

    • Upcoming Quiz (text)

    • Quiz (interactive)

    • References (download)
  • 4

    The Business Case for Disability Inclusion

    • You've Called For... (text)

    • Introduction (video)

    • Learning Objectives (text)

    • The Employment Gap (slideshow video)

    • The Business Benefits of Disability Inclusion (slideshow video)

    • Inclusive Marketing (video)

    • Digital Accessibility (video)

    • Conclusion (video)

    • Key Terms (download)

    • Upcoming Quiz (text)

    • Quiz (interactive)

    • References (download)
  • 5

    Creating an Inclusive Workplace

    • The Culture of the Workplace... (text)

    • Introduction (video)

    • Learning Objectives (text)

    • Communicate Your Vision, Values, and Goals (video)

    • Gain Buy-In (video)

    • Danielle's Personal Story (audio segment)

    • Donald's Personal Story (audio segment)

    • Evaluate Your Needs, Gaps, and Goals (slideshow video)

    • Attract Top Talent (video)

    • Birkir & Susanne's Personal Story (audio segment)

    • Integrate, Accommodate, and Learn (video)

    • John & Nicole's Personal Story (audio segment)

    • Maintain Momentum (video)

    • Know Your Legal Responsibilities (slideshow video)

    • Conclusion (video)

    • 8 Things You Can Do Today to Make Your Organization More Disability Inclusive (download)

    • Key Terms (download)

    • Upcoming Quiz (text)

    • Quiz (interactive)

    • References (download)
  • 6

    Accessibility, Adaptations, and Assistive Technologies

    • The Accessibility Problems of Today... (text)

    • Introduction (video)

    • Learning Objectives (text)

    • Adaptations to the Physical Environment (video)

    • Tech for People Who Are Blind or Low Vision (video)

    • Tech for People Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing (video)

    • Tech for People with Physical or Mobility Disabilities (video)

    • Tech for People with Cognitive or Learning Disabilities (video)

    • Digital Accessibility (slideshow video)

    • Conclusion (video)

    • Key Terms (download)

    • Upcoming Quiz (text)

    • Quiz (interactive)

    • References (download)
  • 7

    Conclusion

    • Conclusion (text)

What Students are Saying

Continuous Learning

by Courtney Poole, Specialty Practice Manager at BAYADA Home Health Care

I thoroughly enjoyed taking this disability course. I have a disability myself and I still gained so much from this course. I never stop learning about other types of disabilities and how to educate myself to be inclusive of others in the workplace and in my personal life. I appreciate the individuals who shared their stories to educate us all during this training course. Thank you!

Engaging & Enlightening

by David Galindo, Senior Manager of Learning & Development at Abrigo

The Disability Inclusion course was engaging and enlightening. I learned about the various conceptual models of disability and how to be more inclusive by practicing better disability etiquette. The course provided excellent guidance and recommendations on how to demonstrate more respectful behavior at work.

Respect All Humans

by Bob Osmond, President at Racepoint Global

The Diversity Movement and Ablr have created a comprehensive and helpful course for any person or organization focused on creating an inclusive culture--or for people who want to move through the world in a way that respects all humans.

Easy-to-Follow

by Shannon Connolly, Director at Vynamic

This was a brief and engaging way to be introduced to the key concepts related to disability and inclusion. I appreciated the easy-to-follow content and the great examples of how to implement inclusive behaviors!

Applicable

by Victoria Chibuogu Nneji

I found this course to get to the core of truths we can all acknowledge and apply to how we operate in the world, and especially in the workplace. I highly recommend.

Enroll to Earn Continuing Education Credits

We’re proud to be an Institute for Diversity Certification (IDC) Preferred Recertification Provider. Certified Diversity Professional (CDP)® and Certified Diversity Executive (CDE)® designees can earn recertification credits by taking our courses.

We are also a Certified Association Executive registered provider, meaning all programs on this site meet the requirements for fulfilling the professional development requirements to earn or maintain the Certified Association Executive credential.

FAQs

  • How is the course formatted?

    The course is set in a multimedia format to engage all learning styles. The course includes 32 videos, 12 downloadable handouts, 5 recorded slide show presentations, 5 quizzes, and 4 audio recordings.

  • How long does it take to complete the course?

    On average, this course takes students 4-5 hours to complete.

  • Who is this course for?

    This course is for anyone who wants to learn about the benefits of disability inclusion and best practices for disability etiquette. This course is especially helpful for leaders who want to bring disability inclusion into their organization.