25% of all people in Austria have a disability, which can be congenital or acquired, singular or in combination, stable or dynamic: disabilities are diverse. And most disabilities are not (immediately) visible.
myAbility aims to promote the social and professional inclusion of people with disabilities by helping companies and organizations create a more inclusive work environment. They offer various programs, consulting services, and training sessions to assist companies in breaking down barriers faced by people with disabilities in both professional and social settings. This includes sensitivity training for disabilities, improving workplace accessibility, and fostering an inclusive corporate culture. Nearly 40 leaders and recruiting managers from the IT company EBCONT were fortunate to participate in such a training.
EBCONT strengthens awareness for diversity
Diversity in all of its six dimensions is an integral part of EBCONT’s daily operations and corporate philosophy. As part of the "Physical and Mental Abilities" dimension, this time, our executives, who regularly interact with people in projects, recruiting, or annual employee evaluations, were tasked with gaining more awareness of this topic.
In a recent training held at the Millennium Tower in Vienna, the topic of inclusion and the social model of disability was thoroughly explored. The two experts from myAbility differentiated between the medical model, which often views disability as a deficit, and the social model, which focuses on environmental barriers. The focus here is on removing these barriers to enable full participation in society for people with disabilities – a topic that benefits not only people with disabilities but everyone. After all, accessibility is the key to an equitable society.
Another important component of the session with EBCONT's leaders was linguistic sensitivity. Respectful and appreciative use of language was emphasized as a central point to avoid discrimination and promote inclusion. Practical examples and exercises highlighted how inclusive language can be applied in everyday life and in professional settings.
Sensing Journeys: Insights into Disability
The highlight of the event was the so-called Sensing Journeys with guests invited by myAbility. The open exchange provided our colleagues with insight into the topic and the daily challenges faced by individuals with disabilities. Three experts—one with a severe visual impairment and two individuals with mental health conditions—described in detail how their disabilities affect their lives and what would help them navigate life more easily, both personally and professionally.
At the end of the session, participants were encouraged to apply the insights gained in their work environment and to think about how they can actively contribute to creating an inclusive corporate culture. At EBCONT, the goal is to create a workplace where every person, regardless of impairments, is treated equally and with respect. From barrier-free meetings to flexibility in working hours and locations, to proper communication, there are many opportunities to help people with disabilities succeed professionally and feel comfortable in their environment.
Bettina Richter, Experience & DEI Lead at EBCONT, said: “The Sensing Journeys made it clear to me how easily one can be disrupted from daily life and become reliant on support. That’s why it’s even more important to be supported in an inclusive environment, one that helps you overcome challenges—both personal and professional, as we’ve been doing at EBCONT for years.”
In summary, it was a highly recommended training with valuable insights and practical approaches for EBCONT’s leaders to create an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, with a clear recommendation for other companies.