By Lila Pfitzer, Neurodiversity Ally and Creative Spirit Intern 2024
The Importance of Neurodivergent Employment
As we approach National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), it’s important that we acknowledge why all companies and organizations should employ neurodivergent individuals. Not only does hiring differently result in a mutually beneficial outcome for both employee and employer, but its lasting impact on the workplace and workplace culture is significant—improving environments and collaboration that allows professional growth and security. According to Accenture, companies embracing inclusion outperform other companies in both revenue and economic profit margins, emphasizing its necessity. Neurodivergent employees who are forging a new path to diversify typical corporate environments are making the workplace better and deserve to work in a comfortable space that allows them to grow professionally as well as personally. According to Shantha Barriga, a former director within the Human Rights Watch, more than one billion people, roughly 1 in 6 of people, live with a disability (Barriga). Not only does this exemplify why we need to improve our corporate environments, but also goes to show how many more people could bring different ideas to the table, if given a proper opportunity.
The Role of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)
While many companies today have a DEI policy, oftentimes, D or diversity becomes the main focus. While diversity is certainly important, equity and inclusion also play a large role in DEI and are essential to the policy’s success. That’s what Creative Spirit works to promote: true inclusivity where employers and employees can expand their horizons and make their respective companies the best they can be. This means hiring neurodivergent employees and requiring that companies have the proper training to accommodate certain circumstances. It means employing neurodivergent people so they can receive the same working benefits as neurotypical employees. Creative Spirit’s well-rounded approach in facilitating real change within the workplace is what makes it stand out from the rest. According to Adriana Vasquez, companies tend to endorse DEI, yet don’t put true action behind their words. DEI supports businesses and ameliorates the workforce. However, the most important reason to care for it should be for the employees over anything else (Vasquez).
Creating Supportive Environments for Success
You can’t have one part of DEI without the others and sometimes companies forget that. In the current workforce, there are many times where candidates lack the support they need to reach success. Awareness, acceptance, and investment in DEI are what produce strong and hardworking employees. Success stories like that of candidate Eli Bass, a Havas intern promoted to a full-time position, or Joanna McElnea, a former candidate now working as a Creative Spirit Ambassador and Community Manager, are just some of the many people we see benefited from true dedication to inclusion. The stories behind each and every person, in and out of Creative Spirit, are what make diversity inclusion so important. Seeing a smile on someone’s face when they get a new job offer or the excitement of someone new seeing their ideas implemented within their company are important. Those moments, big and small, are what make doing what we do so valuable and rewarding.
The Power of Diverse Teams
Diversifying the workplace doesn’t just mean employing neurodivergent individuals, but also means putting them right next to someone who’s neurotypical. We are all different, but that’s what makes each and every one of us so special and important. The differences that make people unique and valuable are the keys to a brighter future. And while we may have made progress, there are still big steps needed to fully push us into the right direction.
Continuing the Commitment Beyond NDEAM
So, while remembering neurodivergent employees is especially important this month, we should also celebrate them and their need to be hired the other 11 months of the year. NDEAM highlights how important it is to include others in the workplace. However, it’s only the jumping-off point. Employing people from all different backgrounds and including them in all parts of a company is the goal everyone should continually be working towards, and true inclusivity won’t be achieved until we get there. You never know what anyone is capable of, so let’s continue to break down barriers and make an office a space where all can flourish, develop, and make our world a better place.
