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How can you overcome obstacles in the workplace? "Have empathy for yourself so others can too," says Sheree.
What is the Key to Disability Inclusion in the Workplace
Description: Gentle piano chords
On screen: Tiny drawings of people appear on a white background. Together, they form an ampersand sign.
Text on screen: Disability Dialogue. JPMorgan Chase & Company.
On screen: At an outdoor patio, a woman with dark, tight curls wears a black suit and a lavender blouse.
Text on screen: Sheree Carara, Product Manager, Pay Connexion.
Sheree Carara: One of my biggest fears of dealing with a disability or admitting to having a disability was, I'm going to lose my job. That was my first thought. I didn't want anyone to know because I was going to lose my job. But, you know, months later or years later I realized I'm still here, I still have a job and I don't have to worry about losing my job because that's not what J.P.Morgan is about.
On screen: A woman arrives at work then picks up her desk phone.
Sheree Carara: I feel very fortunate. Once again, I have a disability and I'm able to come to J.P.Morgan.
On screen: Another woman arrives, passing through lobby turnstiles. She types at her computer by a large window. Another woman talks on the phone. Two men shake hands.
Sheree Carara: Some days I come into the office and I'm completely fine. But there are good days and there are bad days and it's important for my manager to understand that, and he does. So this is also very helpful. I look normal to a lot of people, very normal, but sometimes I have days where I struggle. And I have to learn my abilities, that some days were, you know, 100% ability, some days were 99%, some days 90. Some days 50...
On screen: A man in a wheel chair points out charts at a meeting. Another rolls himself to his desk. A man uses a mobility cane as he arrives at his workstation. Later, he talks on a headset.
Sheree Carara: I think awareness has to come from the person themselves who has a disability. And empathy for yourself, also. That's the first place to start because if you don't feel empathy for yourself or awareness of what you have, what disability you have, then how can others?
On screen: A man drives an electric scooter through a busy, open office. The man with the mobility cane takes a colleague's elbow as they walk.
Sheree Carara: So once you feel that comfort level of awareness and empathy, then you can share it with others if you choose to do so. The minute I was able to self-identify and people understood and go back to the empathy and awareness, then my job became easier, because I didn't have to hide any more.
On screen: Colleagues work side-by-side at their work stations. Two men chat. A man inserts earbuds; another checks his notes; and a pair of coworkers meet at a desk.
Sheree Carara: I think J.P.Morgan is doing a very good job and even the opening of the Office of Disability provides some comfort to those in the disability community. Once again, if we're not comfortable with having our own disability, raising our hands to say we need help, then there's no way others can be.
Text on screen: Words appear: JPMorgan Chase and Company.
Text on screen: Learn more at jpmorgan.com/diversity
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