NEURODIVERSITY & DISABILITY

“I've read this email 10 times!” *Presses send only to realise that a word is misspelt
after the email has gone through!*

Hannah describes having dyslexia as mentally crippling – a condition she only
detected at the age of 30.

Hannah discovered that she had dyslexia quite late in her adult life. The diagnosis
helped her piece together the literary challenges she had experienced all her life.
Neurodiversity is still not widely spoken about in the workplace. With over forty per
cent of the world identifying as having a type of neurodivergent condition,
organisations need to do more to recognise the talent, abilities and strengths that
come with being neurodivergent.

In 2019, Hannah’s life changed forever. With the birth of her lastborn daughter,
things did not go as she had dreamed and she was now faced with a new title of
‘carer’. People may argue that a mother is not a carer, but looking after a daughter
with a genetic disorder comes with additional responsibilities, challenges and
expectations. Although Hannah’s daughter is not classed as disabled, she requires
special care, as well as the assistance of cardiologists, neurologists, craniologists
and paediatricians. 

Hannah shares how having her daughter made her aware of some of the challenges
people with other abilities face every day – the appointments, the access to support,
the prejudgment, and stares.

Accessibility is interesting; are people disabled or does society disable them?
Accessible toilets, braille, talking ATMs, flexible working, and remote working are just
some of the measures organisations take to support disability in the workplace, but is
it enough?

Hannah Awonuga is an award-winning diversity, equity and inclusion senior
professional who uses her voice and perspective to share her experience as a carer
and mother of a very special girl. Hannah is still exploring what the future holds for
her daughter, but uses her experience to challenge the workplace and society at
large.