In honor of Disability Employment Awareness Month (DEAM), we’re proud to spotlight two incredible members of our team who’ve graciously shared their insights. Nick Irvine and Chelsea Jones offered valuable perspectives on fostering more inclusive workplaces and highlighted the unique perspectives and experiences that enrich this community.
Chelsea Jones
Tell us about yourself and your role at Sprott Shaw
I’m the Employment Services Specialist at the Kelowna campus of Sprott Shaw College. I’m also an alumnus, having graduated from the Community Support Worker – Social Services program at SSC about a week and a half before I was hired.
What do you want your colleagues to know about disability and accessibility?
Having a disability—whether visible or not—doesn’t mean you can’t accomplish anything you set your mind to; however, it often requires you to spend a significant amount of time, energy, and emotional bandwidth building your mental toolkit and advocating for yourself.
How can instructors support students with disabilities in the classroom?
Probably the first – and most basic – step is to simply listen with good faith and build a plan from there.
How can others be champions for accessibility?
Advocacy and awareness are crucial. There are countless volunteer opportunities in the community, as well as various ways to donate time, money, and resources. One example is a Microboard, which is a small group of family members and/or friends who, along with a person with a disability, create a non-profit organization to secure government funding and create opportunities for that individual.
Are there any myths and stereotypes you want to dismantle?
I was diagnosed with ADHD in my early 40s. For decades, there was a common misconception that children with ADHD were manic and hyper-focused, but my symptoms have always been the exact opposite. I was often labeled as an underachiever and seen as lazy. To this day, I struggle with procrastination and have to work extremely hard to both start and complete projects. For example, it took me nearly two weeks to finish this short write-up! For me, putting things off feels like much more work than actually doing them, as I spend a lot of my time and energy beating myself up over what I haven’t accomplished.
What are some actions that can be taken to remove barriers for people with disabilities?
Destigmatization. Disabilities come in countless forms that are often invisible to the eye. Chances are good that there are people in your office, classroom, and community who are dealing with and working through circumstances that don’t show on the surface. Destigmatization comes through making an effort to talk about, accept, and normalize disabilities. Another step is understanding that people who have disabilities also possess skills and talents that are highly individual.
What do you think Sprott Shaw College is doing well in the area of accessibility?
Sprott Shaw College has implemented policies to ensure that students with recognized physical and/or mental disabilities receive the support they need through learning accommodations. As a student in the Community Support Worker program living with various physical and mental disabilities, I found it encouraging to know that I could make accommodations as needed.
What language do you prefer people use to talk to you about disability?
I’m partial to person-first language in general—such as ‘student who is deaf,’ ‘person experiencing homelessness,’ etc.—which emphasizes a person’s individuality beyond their physical, mental, or personal attributes. It’s important to note that the language surrounding disabilities is constantly shifting; terms like ‘differently abled,’ which were common a decade or two ago, can now be seen as offensive or condescending. The most important lesson here is to listen to what language disabled members of your family, workplace, or community prefer and go from there.
Nick Irvine
Tell us about yourself and your role at Sprott Shaw
My name is Nick, and I am the Human Resources Coordinator at Sprott Shaw College. I grew up in Metro Vancouver and have been living with a disability for the past 11 years. My disability has allowed me to develop compassion, empathy, and awareness in many areas. This growth has been incredibly valuable in a recruitment-heavy position, as I know that people often hold negative and false misconceptions about the effectiveness of disabled individuals in the workplace. My disability has taught me to recognize the strengths of disabled people while ensuring that all Sprott Shaw staff members know they have our HR department’s full support in seeking accommodations. I love creating an inclusive space that welcomes supportive conversations and promotes inclusive and accessible practices. One of my biggest goals is to foster an environment where people feel comfortable asking for help and where we can provide the support they need to thrive.
What do you want your colleagues to know about disability and accessibility?
I want my colleagues to understand that disability and accessibility are crucial for any equitable and inclusive workplace. Having policies in place to protect people with disabilities is essential for fostering fairness, equity, and success. No one asks to be disabled, and everyone is likely to be affected by a negative injury or health situation at some point in their lives. Therefore, I encourage everyone to adopt a more inclusive approach to disability and accessibility, treating all individuals as equals.
How can instructors support students with disabilities in the classroom?
Instructors can approach this topic respectfully by welcoming discussions about the support a student may need while also respecting their privacy. This can be achieved by avoiding specific questions about the disability and instead focusing on the resources and support tools that can help a disabled student thrive.
How can others be champions for accessibility?
Others can be champions for accessibility by treating everyone with respect, kindness, empathy, and compassion. Disabilities can take many forms, and there is often significant shame associated with them. Part of championing accessibility involves fostering a supportive and understanding attitude toward resources and tools that enhance accessibility, even if they do not benefit the individual personally. Speaking up and advocating for others in discussions about disability and accessibility is the best way to make everyone feel that we’re all in this together.
Are there any myths and stereotypes you want to dismantle?
One myth about disabled people is that we can’t do things as well as able-bodied people. Although disabilities often remove certain skills and abilities from people, it often opens the door for disabled people to thrive in other areas. Disabled people are still able to do many things well, so just because they might struggle in one area, doesn’t mean they can’t outperform able-bodied people in many other areas. In a lot of instances, a person’s disability may have forced them to cultivate a new skillset that wasn’t something they would have without their disability. If leveraged in the right position, people with disabilities can actually provide a major advantage.
What are some actions that can be taken to remove barriers for people with disabilities?
Cultivating empathy – able-bodied people can take the time to put themselves in the shoes of a disabled person to understand how certain impediments can impact tasks in the workplace, at home, and in everyday life. Really thinking about what it would be like to navigate life with different disabilities can help individuals creatively brainstorm solutions for disabled people. Another way to remove barriers is to create a safe and judgment-free space for disabled individuals to express their needs. Disabled people will never be upset if you actively seek ways to support them and respectfully believe in their abilities to accomplish things in life. Everyone needs to shift their mindset to focus on what disabled people can do, not what they can’t.
What do you think Sprott Shaw College is doing well in the area of accessibility?
Sprott Shaw has definitely created an environment where disability and accessibility are honored and respected. We have recently formed an accessibility committee that includes both members with and without disabilities. It’s important for us to meet regularly to discuss issues that can affect our students and staff, as many are so busy studying or working that they don’t have the energy to advocate for themselves. This is a great first step toward creating safe spaces for everyone who studies or works at Sprott Shaw.
What language do you prefer people use to talk to you about disability?
I personally don’t have any preferences. All I care about is that someone comes from a place of genuine concern and respect.
Thank you, Nick and Chelsea, for your honesty and participation in this important conversation. Your answers highlight the significance of respectful dialogue and inclusivity. Conversations like these help us learn, grow, and support one another in creating a more inclusive workplace and society.