Rob Kowalski’s Post

A powerful story about invisible disabilities or #diversabilities with Novartis It’s important to recognize that what we commonly see and talk about may represent only a fraction of the full spectrum of diversity. We often recognize only visible parts of diversity. But diversity encompasses a wide array of characteristics that go beyond just visible disabilities, race, and sexual orientation. It includes a multitude of attributes such as: 1. Invisible Disabilities 2. Cultural Backgrounds 3. Age and Generational Differences 4. Gender Identity and Expression 5. Socioeconomic Background 6. Neurodiversity 7. Life Experiences 8. Giftedness …and more. Let‘s share our unique stories, our struggles and barriers to make it easier for the others who follow our paths. #disability #diversity #inclusion #DEI

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🔔 Platforming Lived Experiences: WDV Advocates for Women with Disabilities in Pain. Exciting news! WDV has submitted a comprehensive set of recommendations to the Victorian Government's Inquiry into Women's Pain, platforming the lived experiences of women with disabilities living with pain.  Pain is a significant part of everyday life for many women with disabilities, yet it is often dismissed as inevitable. As one of our members said, when it comes to managing pain, “I feel overinformed and under supported.”  To transform the lives of women with disabilities living with pain, gendered and ableist barriers to treating pain must be addressed. Our recommendations include: • Invest in programs led by women with disabilities.  • Co-design inclusive, gender-responsive medical training.  • Bridge the gap between state healthcare and NDIS support.  • Resource advocacy groups.  • Conduct disability-led research.  Our submission has been deeply informed and enriched by responses to our member survey, where we asked our members if they wanted to contribute to our research and advocacy work. This submission was just one opportunity to be involved in the work we do. More opportunities will become available in the future. Watch this space. Read our full submission here: https://lnkd.in/gM5VagBT Image description: Illustration of an open envelope with a document inside it that says "Inquiry into Women's Pain - Giving Voice to the Experiences and Needs of Women with Disabilities Living with Pain." Stamped across the page is the words "Submission Sent!" #DisabilityAdvocacy #HealthcareReform #LivedExperience #WomenWithDisabilities #PainManagement

🌟 Advocating for Accessibility & Inclusivity: My Journey with My Brother's Cognitive Disability 🌟 As we navigate through life, we encounter moments that shape our perspectives and ignite our passions. For me, advocating for inclusivity and accessibility isn't just a cause—it's deeply personal. Growing up with a brother who has a cognitive disability, I've witnessed firsthand the challenges and barriers individuals like him face in our society. From navigating public spaces to accessing education and employment opportunities, every step comes with its unique set of hurdles. What makes this journey even more profound is that my brother lives with me, and I am his primary caregiver. This role has not only deepened my understanding of the day-to-day struggles faced by individuals with cognitive disabilities but has also fueled my determination to be a catalyst for change. Yet, amidst these challenges, I've also seen resilience, determination, and the power of advocacy. My brother's journey has inspired me to become a vocal champion for those with cognitive disabilities, striving to create a world where everyone, regardless of their abilities, can thrive. Through my advocacy efforts, I aim to raise awareness, foster understanding, and drive meaningful change. Whether it's advocating for inclusive policies in the workplace, promoting accessible infrastructure in our communities, or amplifying the voices of individuals with disabilities, I'm committed to making a difference. But advocacy isn't just about raising our voices—it's about listening, learning, and amplifying the voices of those often overlooked. It's about creating spaces where everyone feels valued, respected, and included. As I continue on this journey, I invite you to join me in building a more inclusive and accessible world. Together, we can break down barriers, challenge stereotypes, and celebrate the diversity of human experience. Let's work together to create a future where every individual, regardless of their cognitive abilities, can reach their full potential. Because when we embrace diversity and champion inclusivity, we all thrive. - William J Harvey #GetOutAndDrive #Advocacy #Inclusion #Accessibility #Diversity #Empowerment #CognitiveDisability #ChampioningChange

Read more about how we are working to reduce health inequalities in research and in healthcare.

GSFN William Fison 🌍 Inclusion: Building a Future for Everyone Inclusion goes beyond a word—it's the foundation for a thriving, diverse, and equitable society. It's about creating spaces where all voices are heard, valued, and empowered to make a difference. When we practice true inclusion, we recognize that each person brings unique perspectives, talents, and experiences that can spark innovation and drive positive change. In our workplaces, communities, and collaborations, let’s strive to make inclusion intentional. It's about fostering environments where everyone—regardless of background, gender, ability, or identity—can find their seat at the table and know they belong. This journey isn’t just a box to tick; it’s a mindset to adopt. Whether it’s amplifying underrepresented voices, ensuring accessible opportunities, or mentoring future leaders from diverse backgrounds, each step we take toward inclusion strengthens our collective resilience. Here’s to building spaces where everyone has the opportunity to contribute, grow, and lead. Because an inclusive world is a stronger, more resilient world. 🌱 #Inclusion #Diversity #Belonging #Leadership #Equity #FutureOfWork

This video shows a woman with a prosthetic leg in a wheelchair, wheeling down a ramp that takes her over a step between rooms in her home. While a caption on the video displays, ‘Being happy doesn’t mean you have it all. It simply means you are thankful for all you have.’ On the surface, people may believe that happiness stems from having a perfect life or everything you want. However, true happiness is about finding contentment and gratitude in what you already have, regardless of the challenges or limitations you may face. We received approval to post this video with the aim of raising awareness about the creator and the important topics they discuss. Video Credit: @toughliketammy/IG Ablr is a full-service disability inclusion organization, and our mission is to remove barriers for all people with disabilities. We do this by eliminating the digital divide, changing the mindsets of people and organizations, and creating pathways to employment. #Accessibility #Innovation #AssistiveTechnology #Inclusivity

BREAKING BARRIERS: EMPOWERING VOICES FOR A HEALTHIER WORLD. Get ready for a powerful conversation! I'm excited to share that my next interview is with an incredible individual who's breaking down barriers and challenging stereotypes. Join me as we discuss her journey, experiences, and insights on living with a disability. We'll be shining a light on the often-neglected issue of healthcare access for people with disabilities, in line with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being. Despite making up 15% of the global population, people with disabilities are often left behind in healthcare systems, facing significant barriers to accessing quality care. We'll be exploring: The challenges faced by people with disabilities in accessing healthcare. The importance of inclusive healthcare systems The role we can play in promoting disability rights and accessibility. Tune in to learn, grow, and be inspired! Let's work together to create a healthier world for all! #BreakingBarriers #EmpoweringVoices #SDG3 #GoodHealthAndWellbeing #DisabilityRights #AccessibilityMatters #InclusiveHealthcare #HealthForAll

My article ‘Exploring Intersectionality in Disability: understanding the complexity of identity’ is out now! Click the link below to read: https://lnkd.in/eA_TX523

“Lasting change relies on consistent, embedded action. In this context, Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) exemplifies good practice for channelling the concentrated energy of an awareness campaign into year-round advocacy and representation. According to WebAIM’s 2023 analysis of one million home pages, a staggering 96.3% had accessibility failures which disproportionately affect users with sensory disabilities.” – Caroline Casey, co-founder of The Valuable 500. Disability is one of our core strategic priorities as part of our global Diversity, Equity & Inclusion strategy. We have pledged our accountability for improving disability inclusion at Hogan Lovells as signatory to The Valuable 500, a global collective of 500 CEOs and their companies, whom through Synchronized Collective Action channeling the power of 500 companies working in harmony, have the mission of using the power of business to drive lasting change for the 1.3 billion people around the world with a disability. Our CEO, Miguel Zaldivar, has endorsed our pledge and published commitments. Continuing to drive increased engagement with our Global Ability Inclusion Network (GAIN), which supports individuals with disabilities, caregivers and allies is one of those commitments. Through GAIN we can work together to elevate disability inclusion and accessibility for our people across the firm. #GlobalAccessibilityAwarenessDay #DisabilityInclusion #HoganLovells #DiversityEquityAndInclusion