IT’S TIME TO CREATE A MORE INCLUSIVE FUTURE
A training program led by the Wayfaring Band to support the community in cultivating cultural change for an ecosystem of broader disability justice.
Offered in Spanish, American Sign Language, and other languages upon request.
WHO ARE WE? WHAT DO WE OFFER?
We are The Wayfaring Band (TWB), an anti-ableist, disability-led social justice organization working to center the voices and experiences of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). We’ve carefully curated an innovative workshop that will catalyze transformative change in the way disability is perceived. With anti-ableist training for businesses, organizations, and non-profit partners, we will help everyone gain the knowledge and skills needed to be better allies to their friends, neighbors, and colleagues who experience disability.
HOW CAN THIS TRAINING BENEFIT YOUR BUSINESS?
Anti-ableism work is an opportunity to show the world how to authentically engage with disabled people in new, empathetic, and inclusive ways. By choosing to take part in anti-ableism work and education, you are showing your team and community your commitment to fostering a workplace culture that prioritizes the humanity of all.
Learned knowledge will allow you to intentionally meet the needs of your employees and appeal to a new clientele.
Allow your team to move forward in your internal Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts.
Remove ableist bias and encourage the consideration of hiring folks with disabilities.
Support team members in understanding each other more fully, bolstering communication, honoring unique gifts, and accommodating each other’s needs-creating a stronger team.
WHY IS FOSTERING AN INCLUSIVE WORKPLACE ENVIRONMENT IMPORTANT?
For far too long, individuals with disabilities have been underrepresented in the workforce due to misconceptions about their abilities. However, forward-thinking businesses are recognizing the unique advantages of hiring employees with diverse skills and perspectives. Embracing disability inclusion can significantly benefit workplace culture, productivity, and profitability, along with gaining access to untapped talent and strengthening internal workplace culture.
Key Benefits of Hiring People with Disabilities
Competitive Advantage:
People with disabilities often have strong problem-solving skills and resilience.
Employees with developmental disabilities have been shown to improve productivity, lower absenteeism, and enhance customer loyalty.
Specific talents, such as heightened pattern recognition and memory skills in individuals with autism, are highly sought after in many industries.
Improved Workplace Culture:
Inclusion fosters collaboration, innovation, and a more empathetic work environment.
Colleagues are inspired to elevate their own performance when they see employees with disabilities succeed.
A culture of collaboration and inclusivity is a competitive asset that’s hard to replicate.
Increased Employee Retention:
People with disabilities often seek stable, reliable employment and tend to have higher retention rates, which reduces hiring and training costs, saving businesses valuable resources.
Connecting to a Broader Consumer Market:
People with disabilities represent one of the largest consumer market segments in the U.S. A workforce that reflects the consumer base fosters trust and long-term loyalty with customers.
Financial and Regulatory Incentives:
Companies hiring people with disabilities may be eligible for federal and state tax benefits.
For businesses working with the government, inclusion ensures compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act.
Cost-Effective Accommodations:
Nearly half of workplace accommodations cost nothing, and others average around $300 per person.
Proactively building accessible and inclusive systems saves businesses time and money in the long run.
Pricing Structures
Disrupting Ableism
2-3 Hours | $2,500
This workshop is perfect for businesses looking to prioritize inclusion and allyship.
During our time together, we will explore how ableist assumptions and behaviors impact disabled people.
Upon completion of our training, your team will have learned how to foster a more accessible and welcoming workplace for people with disabilities, as well as:
Understand what ableism is, how it manifests in everyday life, and ways to dismantle it through inclusive practices.
Learn to recognize systems of oppression, unlearn harmful assumptions, and foster equity by addressing ableism.
Gain insights from real-world examples and lived experiences shared by disabled co-facilitators.
Equip your organization with tools to challenge ableism, foster belonging, and create a culture of true inclusion.
Begin your journey as an ally by challenging personal assumptions and advocating for meaningful change.
Accessibility Audit
1-1.5 hours | $1,500
Is your space as accessible as it could be?
Here at the Wayfaring Band, we have curated a team of accessibility experts, who utilize their own lived experiences in conjunction with the knowledge we’ve collectively gained from our experience in the disability community, to offer unique insights and expertise to help you assess and improve accessibility.
From physical accessibility, to sensory considerations, or even digital access, we’ll provide recommendations to support you in transforming your space into one that welcomes and includes everyone.
Led by experts with lived and firsthand experience, we’ll help you:
Look beyond the basics to evaluate how inclusive your environment truly is.
Identify and remove barriers to ensure your business and organization is welcoming and inclusive for people disabilities.
Offer practical solutions to support you in moving forward in your new accessibility goals.
Combined Workshop and Accessibility Audit
3-4 hours | $3,500
A combination of both our Disrupting Ableism workshop and Accessibility Audit
