What does it mean to be a disability-confident ally?

This was the last in a series of three disability-confident pods where I was guest contributor. My client, a large global corporate, already has Access Ambassadors and Disability Champions and was clear this pod was not about introducing another defined role.

We were clear that focusing on disability-confident allyship meant we’d provide ideas and examples that could be adopted by Champions, Ambassadors and every other employee in the company.

What is a Purple Ally?

Purple is the colour most associated with disability so the term ‘purple ally’ is used to describe a person who will use their role and influence to create welcoming, accessible and inclusive environments for people with lived experience of disability, ill health or neurodivergent conditions.

Allies tend to be solution-focused in pursuit of barrier removal and they support user-led change. Allies tend to speak up when things are not right and support appropriately, where required.

We discussed the long-standing saying in the disability movement, ‘nothing about us, without us’. The two hosts and I have relevant lived experience and we all felt this saying should be at the heart of any disability-inclusion agenda.

We did, though, recognise that allies can use their influence to speed up the pace of change. One of my hosts talked of ‘nothing about us without all of us’. I tentatively agreed, with the proviso that lived experience is always the driver.

Anyone can be an ally and there are different ways to be an ally so everyone can find a way that works for them.

What are some of the barriers to becoming a disability-confident ally?

We recognized that it’s important to understand that being an ally can be hard. It can be hard because you may be required to seek comfort in your discomfort by speaking up.

Speaking up often takes courage, but your courage is invariably rewarded as it can be key to an equitable outcome.

I provided an example of when two peers on a board used their voices to support me at a time when I really needed allyship to shift the dial on an access issue I was experiencing.

When talking about allyship I commonly get asked, ‘How can I be an ally, rather than a saviour?’.

I shared some of the differences, as I know this can provide reassurance to becoming a purple ally

? Saviours talk more than they listen: allies listen more than they talk.

? Saviours speak on behalf of others: allies amplify others’ voices

? Saviours rush to help: allies step back and create opportunities.

? Saviours make other people feel ‘othered’: allies find ways to make their privilege work for others

What are the practical actions any employee can take?

We suggested continuing to forge connections and widen knowledge. We recommended that you read something, attend something or support something that is led by disabled people. Listen, then listen some more.

Advocate for the inclusion of disabled voices. Push for disabled speakers at events and ask where the disabled voice is when undertaking service design or creating new policies.

Be extra mindful in the recruitment process that disabled and neurodivergent candidates are not being overlooked. Check that unconscious biases are not playing out.

We encouraged self-reflection, but not to dwell or beat yourself up. We all get it wrong sometimes. Also, one person’s wrong is right for another: there usually isn’t a universal right.

We finished up by sharing that an ally’s motivation to take action, or decision to step back and not take action, should start with respect, rather than recognition. Being an ally requires committing to being on a journey. It is ongoing because the driver for being a disability-confident ally is to dismantle barriers and create opportunities and exposure, not to achieve personal goals.

Steph is often asked to deliver her webinar, Becoming a Purple Ally to organisations keen to promote the idea that it takes all of us to create a workplace culture that is inclusive of everyone. You can also listen to her podcast, What can be male, straight, white, purple? It's not a riddle... it's allyship.

?Drop her a line to chat about running a session or contributing to your agenda on allyship and remember to comment on the article.