Diversity is a hot topic in the public relations and communications industry. But while issues such as the gender pay gap and mental health receive a lot of attention, other issues such as racial equality, sexual orientation and disability do not. In addition, the industry does not appear to be making much, if any progress.

In this episode of the Digital Download podcast I talk to Sara Hawthorn, hard of hearing owner of InFusion Comms and diversity campaigner, about how the industry can better tackle the issue. We discuss whether there is a hierarchy when it comes to different issues under the diversity banner and whether diversity itself has simply become a tick box exercise for many agencies and companies. Sara also presents some ideas on moving the conversation forward towards action.

Here's what is discussed in this episode:

How young people have a different level of awareness of communications campaigns
How mental health & gender equality are the popular faces of diversity
How disability can lead to social anxiety
Whether podcasts exclude those with hearing loss
How technology can help to overcome some disabilities
Why it is important that teams are diverse in order to help overcome diversity issues
Whether diversity has become a 'tick box' exercise
Why diversity may be solvable through organisational culture
Why solving gender equality will not automatically help solve other diversity issues
Why accessibility statements for events are really important
Whether there is a hierarchy of diversity issues
Why we all need to start challenging our own confirmation biases

 


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Useful Links from Today's Show

The Shaw Trust Disability Power 100 List 2018
CIPR State of the Profession Report 2018
PRCA Divsersity and Inclusion Guidelines
Disability PR Network on Twitter

 
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