5 Things / Worth It
A Note from Bernadette
A few years ago, my firm was asked to deliver 5,000 licenses of our micro-learning product. Hours after I received the email that the project was a “go,” I randomly read an article that revealed that the company provided ICE detention facilities. As the child of immigrants who came here in search of a better life, that company’s work went directly against my values.
Our micro-learning was already built. I could have just cashed the check and deployed the licenses. The learning was on inclusion, so I even could have justified it with, “oh, this bad company is trying to do something good.” Still, I declined the project…and that triggered the scarcity mindset I inherited from my parents.
All I know is that I'll never regret living my values. It’s always worth it.
This Week's Good Vibes
Dyed Hair? Hijab? Yes!
Japanese convenience store chain FamilyMart announced that employees can choose their own hair color and Muslim women can wear hijabs. They also redesigned its uniform with a T-shirt style, a first for the convenience store industry, and a long-sleeved option. Recorded and online interviews are being added, too. The stated goal is a more diverse workforce.
♐️ Appearance rules can keep qualified people from applying at all, especially people whose faith shapes how they dress.
Canada Retires an Outdated Rule
Health Canada has ended its restrictions on gay and bisexual sperm donors. After pushback on the wording of its screening questions, Health Canada will now drop the sexual behavior questions aimed at gay and bisexual men. Canada bans payment for donation, so supply is short, and removing the rule could help queer people building families.
♐️ A rule can change its wording and keep its bias. Check whether your policies screen for risk or for identity.
Nature Calls. NYC Answers.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced 17 new modular public bathrooms for New York City. They are free, ADA-accessible, fully touchless, and open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Each has a baby-changing station. Access comes by text message, QR code, app, or a tap card distributed through community partners, which is meant to make sure people experiencing homelessness can use them.
♐️ Access is a design choice. Look at who your own spaces were built for, and who they leave out.
A Victory for Autism Training
When a mother called 911 to report her 3-year-old nonverbal, autistic son missing, the Macedonia, Ohio dispatcher asked whether he goes near certain things and whether water was nearby. Those questions came from a recent autism training for emergency personnel. Within minutes, he was found in a pool and resuscitated with CPR. Children with autism are 40 times more likely to die of accidental drowning than children without autism, so responders are taught to always check water first.
♐️ The right question at the right moment changes everything.
Subminimum Wage: Receipts Are In
A first-of-its-kind study looked at 15 states that ended subminimum wage, the practice of paying workers with disabilities less than the $7.25 federal minimum. It found no significant drop in employment, hours, or wages. Within two years, subminimum wage jobs fell by about 2,000 per state, and income from government welfare programs fell more than 12%. The catch: some workers with the most significant disabilities may have left work altogether, especially in states without job coaching and support. Some say workers should still have the option.
♐️ Change goes best when support comes with it.
Good Vibes to Go & Updates
Watch Gloria Steinem's Famous Last Words on Netflix. She reminds us to keep sharing our stories.