Inclusion through the home's renaissance - the liberation of concentration!

In a new study, I read that we will continue to work remotely or partially remotely in the coming years. After having lived large parts of our lives in offices for a long time, the home is now experiencing a renaissance. My body is filled with a sense of calm.

The new flexible working life isn't just "nice" for some; it is life-changing for many. For people with disabilities, it means a more inclusive society, with a greater opportunity to realize our full potential.

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve had to "come out" as the "ADHD girl" at my workplace. It has sometimes been met with uncertainty. "How will this affect us? Does she need more resources? Will she be a burden?". Even though we've started talking more about ADHD in recent years, and some have highlighted it as a "superpower," my experience is that my diagnosis is still seen as a problem for society.

I would argue that ADHD is, in many ways, a "cultural illness" - a human way of being that hasn't fit the norms that have dominated society until now. Old ideas about productivity don't suit a person who thrives under freer frameworks, where there is instead room for creativity, independence, and time for deep focus. ADHD is a deviation from the efficiency norm and is thus classified as a problem - a disability.

Through the mandatory home offices of the pandemic, we’ve noticed that we don't need to build work on rules, templates, and time clocks. It doesn't matter if you work at night or from your bed. The most important thing is the output, such as great ideas and seeing things that others don't. In other words, typical ADHD traits.

I, and many others like me, have experienced greater focus and increased creativity under a freer way of working - a liberation of concentration! Hopefully, this can continue in the future, because in an inclusive culture, ADHD becomes just one of many ways of being. A variation of humanity, not a problem.

And if a manager wouldn't want to create an inclusive culture because it’s the right thing to do, they can always look at the bottom line, as study after study shows that companies with an inclusive culture achieve better results.

The big lesson for workplaces is that we must work harder to include more people. Only then will we have a world where everyone can reach their full potential. Long live the flexible society!

Danielle Drake 

PR Creative, Obeya