4 Key Practices to Make Disability Inclusion in the Workplace a Reality

At the 2024 Women’s Forum Global Meeting held on October 23 and 24 in Paris, HEC Paris Assistant Professor Leandro Nardi led a powerful session on “Embracing People with Disabilities,” presenting actionable strategies to improve inclusion in the workplace. An expert in strategy and social impact, Nardi brings both academic insights and personal experience to his work on inclusivity. During his keynote, he outlined four key initiatives that organizations can adopt to foster a more equitable environment for employees with disabilities.

1. Creating Safe Spaces for Openness

Professor Nardi underscored that fostering safe spaces is essential to workplace inclusivity. In many countries, including France, companies cannot legally ask employees to disclose disabilities. This restriction often discourages open communication and can hinder effective support. By creating an environment where employees feel comfortable discussing their disabilities, organizations can identify and remove obstacles to their success. “Safe spaces are fundamental,” Nardi stated, “to allow employees with disabilities to feel seen and supported in their roles.”

2. Supporting Long-Term Career Progression

While quota laws have increased the hiring of individuals with disabilities, Professor Nardi noted that too often, companies overlook long-term career progression for these employees. Intentional strategies for advancement and addressing wage parity are crucial to equitable inclusion. “Employers must go beyond just hiring,” Nardi emphasized, “and invest in sustainable, long-term career opportunities for employees with disabilities.”

3. Leveraging Specialized Expertise in Disability Inclusion

To tackle the unique challenges of disability inclusion, Nardi recommends that companies seek out specialized consultants or dedicated in-house experts focused on this area. With tailored guidance, companies can develop and implement initiatives that provide meaningful support for employees with disabilities. “Engaging with experts ensures that organizations are effectively addressing the distinct needs of these employees,” he said.

4. Addressing Intersectional Barriers

Professor Nardi highlighted intersectionality as a critical but often overlooked dimension of disability inclusion. Individuals with disabilities who belong to other underrepresented groups—such as women or ethnic minorities—often face compounded barriers. Recognizing and addressing these intersecting challenges, Nardi explained, is essential for genuine inclusivity. “To truly advance disability inclusion, we must consider and overcome intersectional barriers,” he noted.

Advancing Diversity and Inclusion in Research and Education

Professor Nardi’s work reflects HEC Paris's broader commitment to inclusivity through research and education. Affiliated with the Inclusive Economy Centre of the S&O Institute – led by Marieke Huysentruyt, Associate Professor in Strategy and Business Policy - he collaborates with other HEC professors to drive impactful research and engage students in learning that prepares them to lead inclusively. Among these collaborators is Matteo Winkler, a law professor at HEC Paris who focuses much of his research and teaching on Diversity and Inclusion and international human rights. As co-chair of HEC Paris’s Diversity Committee alongside Chief Diversity Officer Marcelle Laliberté, Professor Winkler has pioneered initiatives like the "diversiTALKS" seminar series, launched in 2017 and dedicated to exploring diversity in business. Through such programs centered on inclusion and diversity, HEC Paris continues to empower students and alumni to foster transformative change across industries and communities.

As a leader in business education, HEC Paris is committed to advancing a holistic view of inclusion and empowerment that extends beyond gender alone, advocating for a workplace where diverse backgrounds and abilities are valued and integrated. This broader vision of inclusivity is not only about supporting individual groups but about elevating society as a whole. By championing disability inclusion and addressing intersectional challenges, Professor Nardi and HEC Paris underscore the shared benefits of an inclusive society—one where everyone has the opportunity to contribute and thrive. 

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