INTRODUCTION
The following Diversity in Employment online module is designed to assist public and private employers to increase its workforce diversity to include people with disabilities, an untapped business resource. This module addresses common misperceptions, myths, and stereotypes concerning people with disabilities and provides you with etiquette "tips" and helps you to recognize the "sameness" of all people, regardless of "labels" like disability.
Why This Topic Matters:
As the number of workers in the "traditional" labor force shrinks it is important that employers open their doors to qualified workers from nontraditional sources. Individuals with disabilities are under utilized assets who can assist employers to meet their current and future labor needs. Many times employers hold preconceived notions regarding the skills and contributions that individuals with disabilities can make to their businesses. The information in this module addresses some of those stereotypes and misconceptions that create artificial barriers to the employment of people with disabilities.
What You Will Learn:
At the conclusion of this module you will be able:
- To understand the concept of stereotyping and how it affects people with disabilities
- To understand how common misperceptions can impact the lives of people with disability
- To have an increased comfort level in communicating and interacting with people with disabilities
- To better understand that people with disabilities are people first and are not totally defined by their disability
How This Module Is Organized:
This module is organized into 3 lessons. Each lesson will start with an overview and some initial thoughts designed to stimulate thinking in each topic area. This will be followed by the presentation of a number of "key concepts" related to the each lesson topic and conclude each lesson with a wrap-up summary. Following the wrap-up summary, you can "check your learning" related to content and learning objectives and access a resource guide that includes resources related to the material in this module.
Overview of Lessons:
The following lessons are contained within this module:
- Lesson #1 - Stereotypes & Perceptions: Addresses stereotypes and assumptions that we make about individual people or group's based upon preconceived images and perceptions.
- Lesson #2 - Disability & the Real World: Challenges our thinking about "disability" and addresses the unique skills and contributions that people with disabilities make to our communities and workplace.
- Lesson #3 - Language, Communication, & Etiquette: Answers questions related to personal communication and interactions with people with disabilities
Meet Travis!
Hello! My name is Travis and I will join you at various times as you complete this module to share a few of my personal thoughts regarding this important issue. Watch the video below to hear my introduction. I hope you enjoy the presentation.
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This training was made possible through a grant from the Missouri Planning Council for Developmental Disabilities (www.mpcdd.com) and developed by the University of Missouri-Kansas City Institute for Human Development (www.ihd.umkc.edu)