that , “ inclusive leaders create inclusive businesses ; inclusive businesses create an inclusive society . Working together accelerates and scales systems ’ impact .”
“ The strategy for The Valuable 500 is accountability and trying to fill the gaps in data , self ID , representation and inclusive reporting . Leadership and C-suite storytelling is a key factor — we need to see people at the top being able to openly disclose or speak of their lived experience , which will cascade within an organization which automatically feeds into society .”
To make that happen , Ryan said businesses need to stop looking at people with disabilities as having a separate identity . Additionally , inclusion should happen because a business genuinely wants change , not because everyone else is doing it . “ We ' re at a stage now that it ' s actually risky for businesses not to take this seriously within their organizations .”
But despite their best efforts to include employees and consumers with disabilities , businesses face failure without a proper plan . “ You can only tap into that market if you have the knowledge , the understanding , the expertise within your organization to develop , deliver and execute products or services that can deliver to that demographic ,” said Ryan . He adds that it is important for companies to show consumers and employees their inclusivity plan in action , so they can “ see themselves and see that you are genuinely doing something for people with disabilities .”
Some of the most important pieces of advice from The Valuable 500 are : don ’ t be scared to say the word disability , and don ’ t let disability hold you back . “ Take
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