Golin Releases New E-Book to Celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month

CHICAGO (October 28, 2024) - In a powerful celebration of diversity, equity and inclusion, Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG) agency Golin announced today the launch of Chronically Misunderstood, an emotional and educational e-book created by THRIVE, the agency's newest employee resource group (ERG) made up of medically and self-diagnosed persons with disabilities. The e-book's release coincides with National Disability Employment Awareness Month in the U.S. and highlights short stories from Goliners aiming to inspire more disability confident workplaces.

"This release represents more than just a publication-it's a testament to our commitment to creating an environment where every individual is supported and empowered to reach their full potential," said Ellen Ryan Mardiks, chairman, Golin. "The courage of our team members in sharing their experiences, coupled with the dedicated leadership of our ERG, has produced a resource that can serve as a blueprint for fostering genuine belonging in the workplace."

Chronically Misunderstood is a collection of 12 anonymous short stories in the form of letters from current and former employees across Golin and its agencies. The authors, representing over eight cities across North America, EMEA, and APAC, share the often hidden experiences of navigating the world of work with a disability - the challenges, the triumphs and everything in between. The book aims to elevate disabled voices, and it invites readers to step in to the shoes of others, to reflect and learn.

"Chronically Misunderstood marks a significant milestone in Golin's DEI transformation, not just for our own organization, but also to influence a more inclusive ecosystem across global industries," said Natasha O'Dell Archer, J.D., Global EVP of DEI at Golin. "It gives a voice to our colleagues and sparks supportive allyship as it educates and builds empathy with readers. I'm so proud of the talented individuals who led this effort and felt comfortable sharing their personal experiences as a means for inspiring belonging."

The e-book, which can be downloaded on Golin.com, uses a variety of freeform writing styles from poetry and essays to helpful tips and tricks, carefully chosen by its authors. Topics throughout the book center around coping with diagnoses, understanding intersectionality, debating the notion of "superpowers" and celebrating personal resilience, giving readers an insight into the unique and diverse experiences of Golin's disabled community.

"Chronically Misunderstood beautifully captures both the unique and shared experiences of our diverse THRIVE community." said Charlotte Russo, Director of Healthcare & THRIVE Co-Chair at Golin. "As organizations increasingly encourage a culture where employees "bring their full selves to work", our goal is to elevate the often-invisible experiences of people managing disabilities in the workforce. By sharing these stories, our hope is to inspire systemic change, eliminate stigma, offer practical guidance, and create a catalyst for driving allyship."

In addition to impactful messaging, the e-book features an accessible design, using the clear sans serif font; Peridot PE for text and the bold serif font; Roca for headlines. High-contrast colors meet AAA accessibility standards, while 1.5x line spacing and ample white space enhance readability. This thoughtful design provides an inclusive and user-friendly experience for all readers.

"As someone who has witnessed the incredible dedication of our THRIVE members and shared my own story in this book, I am deeply moved by the narratives within," said Monica Pohl, Manager & THRIVE Co-Chair at Golin. "We believe it will inspire change and promote a culture of empathy and inclusion both within Golin and beyond."

THRIVE is one of Golin's six global ERGs, alongside others that support employees who identify as Latine, Black, Asian or Pacific Islander, LGBTQIA+ and mothers in the workplace - all of which have been launched by staff with their own missions and values. THRIVE's mission is to promote acceptance, create an inclusive safe space and to destigmatize disability.

"The ERG wants to empower its members to be themselves at work. Their name is rooted in the community's desire to not just survive, but to THRIVE in the workplace," said Nina Bhagwat, Global Group Executive Director of DEI at Golin.