Ability: Creating a workplace that works for everyone

One out of every four U.S. adults live with a disability. That’s roughly 61 million Americans. Some disabilities are visible while others may not be immediately apparent. While there may not be a one-size-fits-all approach to accessibility, the need to be supported is shared by all. That’s where our Ability employee group comes in.

As our employee group focused on disability inclusion, Ability works to make sure everyone has equal access to the tools they need to thrive. We spoke with Alex Martin, the National President of Ability, to learn more about their mission and his own accessibility journey.

Bringing your full self to work

Many feel that they can’t bring their true selves to work. Instead, they try to fit into a narrow definition of professionalism. It’s a trap Alex fell into in the past and it came at a cost. Wearing a mask at work takes energy and it prevents you from doing your best work, too. One day, Alex made a conscious decision to take off the mask and it was a major turning point.

“My tattoos, color hair, piercings, my neurodiversity, and my mental health story. Those are parts of who I am, and I believe they deserve to be in the room with me,” he said. “I don’t want to climb a ladder by sanding off all the edges that make me who I am. I want my success to help others feel like they can succeed as themselves, too.”

It’s that spirit that led him to getting involved with Ability and eventually taking on the role of president for the group.

Being an advocate

Alex defines advocacy, and thus the mission of Ability, as creating a workplace where everyone is treated fairly and has an equal opportunity to succeed. The group envisions a world where no one has to do extra “invisible work” just to be on equal footing with everyone else.

“As a disability advocate, I see it as my job to help close the gap. That means making sure people with disabilities have a voice, that their experiences are heard, and that disparities are not brushed aside or normalized.”

Over the past year, Alex and his leadership team have focused on programming around self-advocacy. This includes new and ongoing initiatives like:

• A series on compensation, which opened up conversations around performance and pay.
• Connecting the dots to company benefits and shining the light on underutilized options to improve wellbeing.
• Programs and resources that elevate employees’ lived experiences and provide practical tools for self-advocacy.

Impact, innovation, and authenticity

These are just a few of the ways Ability is helping team members bring their full selves to work and encouraging everyone to be advocates. By creating a supportive culture that empowers everyone to contribute, we drive innovation.

“Authenticity is not just a personal preference. It’s part of how I define success. When we show up fully, we make it easier for others to do the same, and we collectively shape a culture where people feel safe to be real.

“Together, we can build careers that are not only impactful, but also deeply authentic.”