By Amber Dyer, Coordinator, Communications & Marketing
Business leaders of the Dallas Region are embracing disability inclusion as a strategy that isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s a competitive advantage that drives business, expands talent pools, and strengthens bottom lines.
This was the central message when the DRC partnered with the National Organization on Disability (NOD) and Toyota Motor North America (Toyota) to convene regional employers for a discussion on how disability inclusion can transform workplaces and communities.
Disability inclusion connects organizations with underutilized talent.
“As businesspeople, you will always need a productive and engaged workforce,” said Beth Searle, President & CEO of NOD, an organization entirely focused on employment for people with disabilities. “You will always need innovative, creative talent. And you will also need those workers to be loyal, to stay, so that you can minimize your recruiting and onboarding and turnover expenses.”
People with disabilities are uniquely positioned to meet these business needs. Navigating a world not always designed with them in mind fosters adaptability, which cultivates creativity and innovation.
“We are [working toward] the day when every single person with a disability, no matter what that disability is, has a meaningful job that enables them to earn a living, and leverage whatever talents they have to enable them to fulfill their life potential,” said Searle.
That potential can only be unlocked when businesses actively provide opportunities for growth and development for everyone.
“To unlock human potential,” said Searle, “we need a place to unlock it, a place for people to go. But that only works if it enhances the bottom line, enhances business performance.”
Research confirms that companies embracing disability inclusion experience significant operational benefits, including:
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- Lower absenteeism rates
- Higher retention rates
- Lower staff turnover
- Higher productivity
In short, disability inclusion isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s a strategic advantage.
Meaningful workplace accommodation addresses both visible and invisible barriers.
Workers with disabilities are more likely to thrive when workplaces accommodate their needs, leading to better mental and physical health. As a member of NOD’s leadership council, Toyota exemplifies exceptional commitment to disability inclusion that extends beyond visible accommodations.
“One of [Toyota’s] core values is respect for people and continuous improvement,” said Tellis Bethel, President and CEO of Toyota Financial Savings Bank. “What you don’t see there is respect for some people; it’s implicit that [it’s respect for] all people, and that’s how we try to live in this, through the pattern of what we do.”
Following Toyota’s example, companies should view disability inclusion as a business imperative, especially considering more than a quarter of Americans have a disability. Creating workplaces where people of all abilities can contribute meaningfully is not just about compliance, it’s about fairness.
“Everyone deserves the right to live to their fullest potential,” said DRC Senior Vice President of Opportunity and Impact Latosha Herron Bruff. “Every community, every person, should have exactly what they need to grow and thrive.”
Accessible opportunities fuel regional prosperity.
When more people are empowered to join the workforce, the entire economy benefits. Disability inclusion is essential to building a region where everyone can participate and prosper.
“We need lots of folks here, lots of talent, and a lot of opportunity to strengthen our workforce pipeline,” said Chris Neilsen, EVP at Toyota NA, DRC Board Member and 2019 DRC Board Chair.
That means creating opportunities that include everyone, without exception.
“The DRC believes that the economic growth and prosperity in this region should apply to all people, regardless of [whether] you’re north or south of Interstate 30,” said Neilsen.
This commitment is demonstrated through the creation of the DRC’s Disability Inclusion Toolkit, presented by Ernst & Young LLP, a resource designed for companies to ensure everyone can participate in the workforce and benefit from the region’s prosperity.
Access to employment and resources not only empowers individuals and their families but also enriches the broader community.
To learn more about the DRC’s work in this area, explore our Disability Inclusion Toolkit.