Fighting and full of passion: in this triptych, three extraordinary ladies tell how they make the most of their lives. Social entrepreneur Nadia van den Heuvel of Ictoria kicks off. This roller from Brabant fights for inclusive employment. And brings people with mental or physical disabilities back to work.
“I celebrate being alive every day. When I was 16, it seemed for a while that I didn’t have long to live. That turned out to be a mistake; the hospital had switched my file. That incident made me even more determined to get everything out of life. I was born with spastic tetraplegia and therefore dependent on a wheelchair. The fact that I cannot walk properly has never struck me as something ‘lesser’. In fact, it has only made me stronger. You so often read that someone can still do a lot ‘despite’ their disability, but I actually see it as ‘because of’ it. I am a pretty exhausting type. Want all kinds of things, do all kinds of things. Did several studies, sat on several boards and had a variety of good jobs. My sister used to often say to me: ‘Nadia, what are you doing, you can just apply for Wajong benefit’. But that’s really not for me. I want to be meaningful!”
Inclusiveness in the workplace?
“For years, I worked at the public prosecutor’s office as a consultant. There, I was the only one in a wheelchair. Often I thought: where are all those other employees with conditions anyway? Where is this inclusiveness in the workplace? There had to be another way. Even though I know better than anyone how difficult it is to get in somewhere. I remember going for an interview somewhere. When I walked in, someone from the interview committee looked at me and my wheelchair in amazement. To which he exclaimed ‘Oh but… your CV is so good!’. To which I quickly replied ‘right, I didn’t type my CV with my legs either’. Such a conversation is then instantly dead, it’s really done for me. While somewhere that man can’t do anything about it either. Unfortunately, the system is still such that people with a disorder are often not seen as professionally competent. Which, of course, is ridiculous, but unfortunately that is how reality is.”
Disability is not a limitation but a gift
“In 2018, the switch came. At work, I spotted an applicant in the waiting room, crying. As it turned out, he kept getting rejected because of his condition – he had 40 per cent vision. Even though he was extremely skilled and so keen to get a job somewhere. That touched me deeply. I decided to help this man and use my network. Three months later, he literally sent me a kilo of chocolate. He had been given a permanent contract with the company where I had brought him in. Then I thought: something has to be done with this. Maybe I should start scouting and recruiting ‘Nadias’, people who, like me, have a condition. Because I firmly believe that if you empower people, a disability is no longer a limitation, but rather a gift.”
Keeping talent on board
“So in February 2019, I started my own company: Ictoria. At our company, people with physical and/or mental challenges are empowered. I scout and recruit talent that is not limited by their disability. People are given the opportunity for a full-fledged job, be it at Ictoria itself or at an affiliated organisation. In our company, we train people and supplement experience where necessary. People can learn and gain experience in the fields of websites and web shops, marketing and communication and graphic design. Or I link people to an affiliated company. In this way, I hope to do my bit for more inclusive employment.”
No victimisation
“Ictoria has been running for almost five years and I can’t say anything other than it’s going really well! I don’t need to get rich with my business, but I do want to increase my impact. So that I can cross off waiting lists. I find it bizarre that in a prosperous country like the Netherlands, inclusive working is still not the norm. If every big company in our country employed one employee with a disability, there would be no more waiting lists. And being a more inclusive employer really doesn’t have to be higher mathematics. Thinking along and being flexible will get you a long way. To employees themselves, I always say: don’t be the victim of the past, but the hero of the future. OK, you are chronically ill. Or yes, you’ve had an accident that makes you unable to walk. But what have you done yourself to make your (work) situation better? Don’t put it outside yourself. Fight for what you want and what you can do. Because you are worth it!”
Wondering what Nadia and her team can do for you? Get in touch with them.
Source: Medireva
