Look around you.

More people than we realize are struggling with some form of disability that could be greatly reduced if they had proper accommodation. That’s why I’m proud to be part of WILA, the Willing and Able Employee Resource Group. We’re a team advocating for accommodations for colleagues with disabilities.

What makes WILA special?

We’re educating, empowering and connecting our teammates. The connection piece is vital – for mentorship, for work tips, for feeling a sense of camaraderie. And while it’s important to talk about our challenges, we love celebrating the successes of people who also just so happen to have a disability.

I get the support I need – and so can you.

I’ve seen firsthand how disabilities affect my co-workers, friends and family – and how I’m affected by my own disability. I have a medical condition which causes my body to react negatively to light, so I typically wear sunglasses when I'm in the office. During one of our meetings, the lights were dimmed so that I could remove my sunglasses. A guest speaker walked in and turned them on. A colleague spoke up and asked that the lights remain off. I felt supported, which has made speaking up for myself much easier ever since.

You can’t beat our culture.

I've been with L3Harris for six years now. A major component in my decision to stay has been the culture that I've always enjoyed here. I have co-workers who are supportive of my disability and the work-life balance we all need to thrive. If I have a medical challenge that I need to address during the workday, having teammates who understand that is priceless.

How to think about Disability Awareness Month at L3Harris.

It’s a time to be mindful of the ways in which disabilities affect those around us – but to remember it’s only one component of someone’s life. Ask yourself if you’re subconsciously limiting others in ways they don’t want. There’s a fine line between being conscious of someone’s disability and being overly prescriptive in helping them. If you’re not sure you’re walking that fine line with a co-worker, you know what the best thing is to do? Just ask them.