Prioritizing Inclusion: A Strategic Move for Startups
In the dynamic world of startups, innovation reigns supreme. However, as businesses strive for breakthroughs and growth, there's an essential factor for success that's overlooked despite its undeniable strategic advantages: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).
Beyond the Traditional Notions of Diversity
After the events of 2020, organizations felt obligated to pay attention to DEI (some for the first time) as a response to the worldwide protests following the senseless murder of George Floyd. However, in the years since, DEI has retreated to the background once again and has even made startling regression from pre-Covid era DEI prevalence: 1 in 5 organizations do not have a DEI program of any kind today (up from 15%).
When we speak of diversity, our minds might instinctively jump to visible markers such as gender, ethnicity, or age. While these are vital components of a diverse workplace, they are just part of the picture. True diversity encompasses a broad range of perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds, including neurodiversity and disability.
Overlooked: Disability Inclusion
A startling statistic reveals a significant gap: only 4% of organizations include disability in their DEI initiatives. This glaring omission represents not just a missed opportunity but also a failure to recognize a vast talent pool and consumer base.
Disability inclusion is not just a moral imperative; it's a strategic one. Here's why:
Untapped Talent: By excluding individuals with disabilities, startups miss out on unique skills, perspectives, and innovative thinking that can drive growth and competitiveness.
Neurodivergent individuals bring all different sorts of skill profiles to the table. ADHDers are highly creative, quick on their feet in a crisis, and are good at coming up with out-of-the-box solutions. Autistics are adept at pattern recognition, are prone to dig deeper, and notice what others miss. 1 in 4 CEOs is dyslexic, due to their ability to navigate complexity and innovate.
Disabled individuals have to be more creative and resilient in their every day lives, often encountering obstacles in a society that doesn’t consider their needs. This is a huge asset in a startup, where problem-solving and stretching finite resources is crucial. Creating an environment where disabled individuals can thrive leads to an average of 28% higher revenue, 30% higher profit margins, double net income, as well as 90% increased employee retention (in a lifecycle stage where attrition is twice the average organization’s). This is an advantage your business can’t afford to ignore!
2. Consumer Market: People with disabilities represent a sizable consumer market with specific needs and preferences. Inclusive businesses comprised of disabled employees are better positioned to serve and resonate with this audience.
30% of American workers are disabled, 1 in 5 of workers are neurodivergent. The disability community is the most diverse and largest minority class that exists.
The cost of missed opportunity here is so great it’s difficult to put a totally inclusive figure on. However, the annual GDP loss as a result of the disability employment gap is estimated to be $25 billion—that’s $25 billion in potential economic activity for lack of basic inclusion.
The facts are, disabled people are a sizable overlooked consumer market that can be captured by hiring a disabled workforce that can speak to their needs. And that’s not all—one of the benefits of inclusive design is that everyone can enjoy more accessible products and services, not just the disabled!
3. Employee Satisfaction and Loyalty: A culture that values and includes everyone fosters higher employee satisfaction, leading to increased retention and loyalty.
Disability and neuroinclusive workplace design necessitates the relaxation of rigid metrics of professional behavior and requirements. In a post-Covid world, we’ve seen a democratizing trend towards flexibility and balance (though many organizations are still in resistance). Startups that can translate their idealistic ethos towards measurable DEI outcomes can reap the benefits of employees that are invested in building and growing with you.
The Ripple Effect of Inclusive Culture
In the competitive landscape of startups, those that prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion are not just morally right; they are strategically positioned for success. By recognizing the value of disability inclusion, embracing neurodiversity, and understanding the power of intersectionality, startups can build cultures that drive innovation, profitability, and lasting impact. Embrace diversity, and watch your startup thrive.
