"To me, diversity and inclusion means that everybody is on an equal footing."
Lisa Luchtenberg is visually impaired. She works as a project assistant at Utrecht University and she is a member of the Netwerk USP Inclusief (in Dutch).
"To me, diversity and inclusion means that everybody is on an equal footing, with everybody allowed to join in, everybody getting the same opportunities and being respected for who they are. This is something I’ve experienced as such myself too, I reckon. I’m visually impaired and my poor sight means that is not always easy for me to be able to just join in or take part in things.
That joining in often tends to come with a few bumps along the road. As such, I got the job at Utrecht University through the Jobs and Jobs Quota (Work Disabled Persons) Act. The Act allows for an approach to getting people into work that differs from the traditional route. Which is what gave me the chance to join the world of work. Which is a truly wonderful opportunity, although it also comes with a flip side in that it means I am made to carry a label as a ‘participation worker’, that is to say a member of staff with a disability.
In spite of the fact that this is not always very nice, I believe that, for now, for the current time we are in, it is also the best way forward so step up inclusion, as it allows organisations to focus on specific target groups, as is the case with workers with a disability. After all, if there is more of a focus going out to the recruitment of people with a disability it also allows for the issue to be moved more into the limelight. In this way, it can be given specific attention and things can be organised and set up to promote this in order to subsequently make sure it is fully integrated within an organisation such as Utrecht University."