John D. Kemp - Disability Friendly: How to Move from Clueless to Inclusive

1. Chapter 2

1. Chapter 2

In Disability Friendly, John Kemp offers a personal, direct, and practical masterclass for anyone looking to make the call for equity and inclusion real for people with disabilities. This exceptional book provides a distinct roadmap for all of us to take action in our own lives and workplaces to redress the intractable problems of exclusion, unemployment, stereotypes, and discrimination that have befallen people with disabilities in recent times and throughout the ages.

Peter W. Thomas, JD, Managing Partner, The Powers Law Firm

Every CEO who has issued a public statement around their company's commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion needs to read this book. There is no one more credible to take a stand on the subject, and yet Kemp uses openness and curiosity instead of recrimination and rebuke. Disability Friendly is a wonderful tool for leaders today and in the future; I expect it to become required reading as more and more organizations recognize that the time for action is now.

Charlotte Dales, Founder & CEO, Inclusively.com

As Secretary of Labor, I witnessed the power of employment to not only sustain Americans financially, but to enable them to pursue their ambitions and strengthen their sense of dignity and purpose. Unfortunately, people living with disabilities are still held back from fulfilling careers despite employers having more options than ever to make their workplaces fully open and accessible. Thankfully, John Kemp, one of the most passionate and prolific champions in the disability movement, has written this illuminating and entertaining guide to empowering people with disabilities. John directly addresses the misconceptions and excuses that still keep employers from taking practical steps toward supporting disabled employees. He also reminds us of the extraordinary achievements that are possible when we give every person the opportunity to succeed. Disability Friendly should inspire our nation to enable every American to reach their highest potential.

Elizabeth Dole, President, American Red Cross; US Senator; Founder and Chair, Elizabeth Dole Foundation

For any leader who wants to better the workplace to include people with disabilities in their DEI initiative, this is a mustread book. John artfully combines his personal experience with professional knowledge and translates them into actionable recommendations. It is more than learning the best inclusion practices, but about understanding and relating to another human being authentically. Very powerful.

Frances West, Founder, FrancesWest&Co

Disability Friendly should be required reading by anyone who thinks they are serious about equality. The publication comes at a critically important time, as advocates pointing to the Disability Equality Crisis must now struggle even harder to have their voices heard, in a world that still thinks treating you unfairly because you have a disability is completely different (aka not so serious) as treating you unfairly because of any number of other, dare one say competing, identities.

Susan ScottParker, Founder of Business Disability International; Founder, Disability and Ethical Artificial Intelligence (AI) Alliance

Drawing on his deep experience and unique insights, John gives organizations the blueprint they need to engage business leaders, equip them with the knowledge they need and deliver success. It's the why, what, who and how to transform organizations and generate valuable business, social and community benefits. Thank you, John, for this wonderful guide that will help businesses to get it rightbecause when they do, everybody will win.

Suzanne Colbert, AM, Founding CEO (former), Australian Network on Disability

John Kemp's new book, Disability Friendly: How to Move from Clueless to Inclusive, lays out a strong rationale for disability inclusion and provides its readers with a Blueprint for accomplishing it! When John Kemp visited Japan as my guest, he delivered this strong message of disability inclusion to Japanese business leaders who embraced his approach well. I strongly urge you to buy this book and use it in every business and organization in every country of the world, as John Kemp lays out an inclusive approach that will work everywhere!

Hiro Itoh, Founder and President, Japan Abilities CareNet, Inc.

Diversity, equity and inclusion is an important trend in society today. John adds disability inclusion to the mix, so we can all benefit from the skills, talents, and commitment of disabled people in our places of work and play. Disability inclusion truly benefits everyone.

I'd love to have John spend time with my grandkids who have disabilities. His message is one of hope, courage and legitimacy. And those are the themes of this mustread book.

Bill Novelli, Founder, Porter Novelli Agency

John Kemp is like a fine wine. He has aged with growing knowledge and continues to be driven to make significant changes that are benefiting our society and others around the world. John is a dynamic speaker who draws people in thus enabling to learn both about the barriers disabled people are facing and the reasons why breaking down barriers in the workplace and society overall makes us all stronger. This book will enable you to learn from John's experiences as well as encourage you to think about what you have done in the past to advance or impede the inclusion of disabled people.

Judith E. Heumann, International Disability Rights Advocate; author of Being Heumann and Rolling Warrior

John D. Kemp

Copyright 2023 by John D. Kemp. All rights reserved.

Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey.

Published simultaneously in Canada.

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