HerSTEM Initiative Explores Inclusive Workplaces and Disability Inclusion

On November 26, 2025, HerSTEM Initiative, an initiative of FAME Foundation, hosted its monthly webinar, Inclusive Workplaces: Best Practices for Hiring and Supporting Employees with Disabilities, via Microsoft Teams. The session provided practical guidance for organizations seeking to move beyond compliance and create workplaces where employees with disabilities are hired, supported, and empowered. Participants were equipped with strategies to transform organizational practices and culture.

The discussion was led by Muhammed Opaluwa, Program Manager for HerSTEM Initiative, with guest speakers Mr. Ismail Salam, Disability inclusion advocate and Scholar, and Mr. Daniel Isaiah Olamide, Tech Entrepreneur and Accessibility Specialist. The webinar addressed common myths about disability in the workplace, presenting facts and lived experiences to frame inclusion as a strategic imperative.

Mr. Ismail Salam noted that people with disabilities should have equal rights and opportunities for leadership, highlighting the distinction between equality and equity.

The webinar also countered misconceptions about productivity. Speakers highlighted the unique advantages employees with disabilities bring to teams, including resilience, adaptability, and innovative thinking, which enhance overall performance. Mr. Salam described disability inclusion as an essential driver of innovation and growth.

The session addressed concerns about the cost and complexity of accommodations. Mr. Daniel Isaiah Olamide advised organizations to engage directly with employees about their needs, explaining that most accommodations are low-cost and best identified through dialogue. He stressed the principle of “nothing for us without us” in decision-making.

He further encouraged leaders to approach disability inclusion with empathy, noting that disability can affect anyone at any time. Open conversations about accommodations were highlighted as a way to overcome uncertainty and create supportive environments.

The webinar concluded with the consensus that building an inclusive workplace is a continuous journey requiring intentional action. Participants were encouraged to recognize inclusion as a business advantage, address inaccessible processes, and view accommodations as an investment in performance. The session empowered attendees to become champions for disability inclusion within their organizations.