[S3 E9] How to Tackle the Diversity Issue

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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