@Katy79 

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Katy79

Disability passport for work

Hello Interested in others’ views. My work takes the theme of inclusion in the work place very seriously. They really want to do the right thing. From my own personal experience they have been nothing but supportive as I’ve gone through diagnosis and two rounds of Lemtrada (and have even promoted me along the way). They are proposing a series of different actions to promote further inclusion - looking at access/ inclusion issues for different communities where this may be an issue (due to age, race, sex, sexual orientation, disability and the needs of those who are carers). This is to be commended. Today I had quite a strong knee jerk reaction against one of the proposals - which was for a “disability passport” for those with disabilities and long term health conditions. The intention behind this proposal is good - it is to capture the assistance/ adjustments that have previously been agreed for an individual so they don’t need to re-establish them or have potentially embarrassing/ personal conversations with new managers when moving roles or following a reorganisation. However, I just can’t help but think that this creates a potential barrier - treating those with health care conditions differently requiring a “passport to travel/ ID doc” that others don’t have. It also absolves managers from the need to try and understand the requirements of those in their team which may change from what is written down - especially with a progressive (and erratic!) condition like ours. What do others think?
@EdmontonAlberta

@katy79 It appears I am missing something about your concern. I have a disabled tag that hangs from the mirror so I can park in a handicapped parking stall; this shortens my walking distance. How is this different than what you describe as a “passport to travel/ ID doc”? Regarding the part about new managers - should they not have a one-on-one chat with all employees to get to know them? And to explain expectations & their management style? Or am I missing something in your post???

@Vixen

Hey there @katy79, I too am a little unclear about what you’re asking. Is it that you kind of want to avoid being typecast? It’s great to hear of your positive experience of your work place which is really working for you, as opposed to some of the awful stories I’ve read. Sounds like you’ve got to grips with everything and I’m pleased that the Lemtrada route seems to be working for you. Hope everything works out the way you want it at work :-)