Para Sports Prove the Power of Disability Inclusion
Today is International Day of Persons with Disabilities, where we celebrate all people living with disabilities and neurodiverse conditions, recognizing their accomplishments and the impact they have on their communities. No gathering puts more focus on these accomplishments than the Paralympic Games – and this summer, I had the immense honor of traveling to Paris as part of Citi’s delegation for this incredible event. Experiencing the energy, passion and stories of the athletes firsthand was unforgettable.
From attending the Opening Ceremony, where our 17 Team Citi athletes proudly represented their countries, to witnessing packed crowds cheer on these athletes in events such as Wheelchair Basketball and Goalball, it was moving to see inclusion in action at such a grand scale. Between events, I had the privilege of meeting with two remarkable Team Citi ambassadors: Brad Snyder and Scout Bassett. Though he wasn’t competing in Paris, Brad is a six-time Para Swimming gold medalist. He is also a U.S. Navy veteran who was blinded by an IED while serving our country in Afghanistan. Brad is the sort of person we should all aspire to be: selfless, caring and generous – three characteristics that hold true across the entire Team Citi roster. I was also inspired by meeting Scout, a Para Track & Field star and the current President of the Women’s Sports Foundation. This worthy organization aims to advance the lives of women and girls through sport – a mission we can all support, and another example of a Team Citi athlete having a tremendous impact outside her sport.
As co-lead of Citi’s Disability and Neurodiversity Inclusion Network, I was proud to be part of an event that provides a platform for people living with disabilities to not only feel comfortable, but to also shine. At Citi, we’ve made great progress in ensuring our colleagues in the disability and neurodiversity community have similar platforms. This year alone, we:
- Facilitated eight HR, Manager and Interviewer trainings to provide greater insights into the talent pool of people with disabilities and neurodiverse people, and on how to engage and support them.
- Launched our second annual global mentorship program to educate senior leaders on disability and neurodiversity inclusion practices, and to provide junior talent with career development guidance.
Enhanced our partnerships with Lime Connect, Disability:IN, CAI Neurodiverse Solutions and other local organizations to amplify job opportunities and attract top talent to Citi.
The Paralympic Games prove that when we create environments that foster inclusivity – and celebrate diversity – all of us can reach our full potential. Let’s continue to create these environments in our workplaces and beyond.