Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging: Disability with Luis Canto E Castro
On this episode of Financially Naked: Stories from The Financial Gym, Rachel Adaline sits with Luis Canto E Castro, a fierce disability advocate, to discuss disability in the workplace. Luis shares his personal journey of navigating the world as a disabled person and the work he does to help organizations understand the needs of disabled employees and how to support them.
As a Lived Experience Ambassador for the NHS and EDI consultant, Luis shakes up organizations, helping them create truly inclusive environments that celebrate diversity. From addressing misconceptions about disabled employees’ capabilities to discussing the financial burdens they often face, Luis shares how employers and society can better support individuals with disabilities, empowering them to thrive.
Podcast Notes
Understanding Disabilities in the Workplace
Luis has a degenerative muscular condition, which makes him physically disabled. He shares his experience living in a world not designed for everyone, specifically challenges in the workforce.
Living in South Africa, there were not a lot of opportunities for him. Once he moved to the UK, things changed. As an advocate, he helps organizations understand how to better support their disabled employees.
The support and protections disabled people have greatly depend on where they live. In the US, the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) is a law that is supposed to protect people with disabilities from discrimination in different areas of life. In the UK, there are programs that help employers pay for accommodations.
Even with the protections and resources, disabled employees still face discrimination in the workplace. They may fear disclosing their disability on applications or asking for accommodations that would help them succeed in the role. Rachel notes that in her entire HR career, she has not encountered an applicant disclosing their disability.
Workplace Misconceptions and Ableism
There’s a misconception that disabled employees can’t keep up in the workplace or that they will need to take a lot of time off. Luis explains this is not true and that many people with disabilities are incredibly effective at work, especially with the proper accommodations.
As an ambassador for the NHS and founder of Unstoppable Living, Luis challenges ableism and uses his voice to champion the rights and inclusion of individuals with disabilities.
Disabled employees often feel the need to go above and beyond to be recognized for their work. The pressure of constantly having to prove themselves can often lead to burnout. Confronting ableism is the first step in ensuring disabled employees can succeed and excel in the workplace.
Luis has always been a rebel, which is a huge part of his advocacy. He is all about open communication and discussion. He prefers to educate people rather than have them make assumptions, even if that means answering very personal questions.
Financial Realities for Disabled Employees
For disabled people, financial stability can be particularly challenging, especially in countries without affordable, accessible healthcare. In the UK, the NHS, while imperfect, has great support options.
People who are disabled often have extra expenses compared to their able-bodied counterparts. This can be anywhere between $7,000 - $13,000 annually. In addition to the extra expenses, disabled people experience a pay disparity in the workplace, even for performing the same work.
Luis has found more employer support in the UK, where he receives reimbursements for assistive technology and travel, unlike in South Africa, where costs often fell to him or his family. The government has programs for these expenses, so it doesn’t fall on the employer directly.
For long-term security, Luis recommends saving a year’s worth of income, if possible, as employment stability is often tenuous for disabled folks. Because of workplace challenges, disabled people often lean into entrepreneurship for its flexibility, though not everyone can or wants to take that path.
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Resources
Connect with Luis Canto E Castro
Email: luis@mildon.co.uk
LinkedIn: Luis Canto E Castro