We believe, YES!
In our past experience of discussing the concept of accessibility and inclusivity with multiple stakeholders in various fields ranging from education (schools, colleges) to empowerment (change leaders in various industries) we understand people more often than not have the mindset of being in status quo – of assuming that something new is difficult for them to handle, and hence they are wary to explore resources with different capabilities and skill sets.
One of the major stereotypes we have seen besides of course offering to show sympathy and put it under the CSR wing is the basic misunderstanding of what is disability. Disability is not the lack of ability in general. There is an assumption a person with disability cannot work which is the biggest MYTH that has to be debunked.
Extensive sensitization is necessary in this area for people down the line of work from the CEO to the HR and other teams also for them to realize that disability is not lack of ability. Rather it is lack of the capability to do a few activities involving some organs in our body.
A person with locomotive disability in his legs can perfectly handle any task involving his hands, eyes, ears and mouth. Assuming him as disabled for a desk officer’s job or for a job in the financial, HR or even research wings of a certain industry is nothing but stereotyping.
And sensitization is the only way it can be broken down.