Register for a training.

This highly requested workshop has attendees explore and exercise best practices and tips for engaging with people with all types of disabilities in both personal and professional settings.

Using mini-lectures, videos, and case studies, participants will be able to:

• Articulate the importance of and difference between ‘person-first’ and ‘identity-first’ language
• Demonstrate related language do’s and don’ts
• Describe basic norms for interacting with co-workers with specific types of disabilities including apparent disabilities such as vision, hearing, and mobility impairments as well as mental health, learning, and other non-apparent disabilities
• Practice positive and effective strategies for handling diverse situations, offering to help, and avoiding unintentional offense

EVALUATION COMMENTS/TAKEAWAYS

“The passion exhibited on the topic via the presenter. How receptive and knowledgeable – incorporating her own life experiences. Actually creating an environment for us to admit past experiences that illustrated lack of tools – the most simple approaches.” Cambridge Health Alliance employee

“Yesterday’s session was perfect…  the way you presented the material and engaged a very large group of people, keeping everyone interested and focused is not easy to do. Thanks so much for partnering with us and providing such excellent professional guidance.” – Donald J. Scacco Jr., Vice President of Electric Field Operations, Eversource Energy

“The presentation was excellent!  You kept the attendees engaged the whole time, providing a whole lot of useable information and helpful guidance in one hour! We look forward to furthering our partnership with you in the future!” – Paula Parnagian (she/her), Manager, Diversity & Inclusion, Eversource

“The strategies shared are immediately actionable for me as a leader.”

“I liked the interactive nature through use of the chat box, case studies, and polling questions. Bonnie also took clear steps to make it an inclusive and safe space for learning and asking questions. It also didn’t feel rushed, which also helped make it feel like a safe space.” – Newton-Wellesley Hospital employee

“On behalf of the disAbilities Awareness Network and Wellington Management, we want to sincerely thank and express our gratitude to you for taking time to speak with us this morning about disability etiquette. We all benefitted from the engaging session and your deep expertise and took away many lessons about disabilities in the workplace, how we can have an impact by being person-first (#ATP!), and best practices for hiring. We wish you all the best in the coming months, and look forward to connecting again soon!”

“I liked the questions being asked which provoke thought and best actions. She talked a lot about proper terms to use and not use when speaking to or about a disabled person.” – Newton-Wellesley Hospital employee

“Power-packed hour. Extremely effective use of time. Fit a lot of excellent content into a narrow window.” – State Street employee

“I like that we got the opportunity to test our knowledge with the case studies.” – Boston University employee

“I think this is something that everyone, everywhere should take as a course on personal/professional growth.” – State Street employee

“That session was truly awesome and super helpful in terms of providing education and awareness for employees.  Loved all the scenarios and it’s a great way to really help folks understand etiquette around this topic.” – Shauna Thompson,  Assistant Vice President, Diversity and Inclusion- Human Resources @ Brown Brothers Harriman