Virtual Live Workshop
Word Matter: Speaking to and About People with Disabilities with Empathy and Respect
Everyone who works in healthcare or life sciences, from care providers to marketers to researchers to CEOs, must be acutely aware of how their words and actions impact those around them. In healthcare in particular, the likelihood that we are working with, or communicating to or about, people with disabilities is high.
This virtual workshop for leaders and employees will address:
- How do we talk about medications, med devices, therapies, or digital health solutions - and the people they help - without minimizing or catastrophizing the experiences of people with illnesses or disabilities?
- How do we convey that our innovations meet unmet need and offer hope, without implying that the lives of people with disabilities are "hopeless"?
- How can we make our professional language, spaces, and interactions with colleagues and patients more empathetic, equitable, and inclusive?
- How can we avoid ableist language?
- How can we ensure that our disabled colleagues have the tools they need to do their best work?
This 45-minute virtual workshop will answer these questions and more by offering real, patient-facing communications case studies, practical do's and don'ts for engaging with patients, colleagues, and others with disabilities, and important resources you and your employees can access to gain more information and a deeper understanding of these issues.
About the presenter:
Jennifer Ringler, MS, Owner and Founder of ReadHealthy Communications, has worked in communications, marketing, and public relations for life sciences and med tech organizations since 2013. She specializes in scientific writing, content strategy, narrative development, corporate communications, executive visibility, media relations, and thought leadership. In a previous life, Jennifer was a life sciences reporter and editor for trade publications including Pharmaceutical Executive and Life Science Leader. She has also served in writing and editorial capacities for healthcare nonprofits, industry trade publications, consumer health magazines, and more.
Jennifer was born with a rare visual impairment, resulting in total blindness in one eye. She has a personal and professional passion for teaching people how to speak to and about people with all illnesses and disabilities with sensitivity and respect. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Writing and a Master of Science in Health Communication.
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The key to building awareness, establishing credibility, getting media or investor attention, and being respected in your space boils down to one thing: stop talking about you and start talking about them.
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Proudly Partnering with Advocacy Groups and Nonprofits
Patient advocacy organizations and healthcare nonprofits are such an important part of the healthcare industry. Patient voices should not be an afterthought. That’s why ReadHealthy Communications, LLC is proud to offer a discounted rate to advocacy organizations and other nonprofit groups.
ReadHealthy Communications is a woman-owned, disability-owned business. When we say DE&I and advocacy are "in our DNA," it's not just a figure of speech.
Learn more about our work with advocacy groups...
ReadHealthy Communications Fact Sheet
ReadHealthy Communications is a PR, communications, and storytelling firm serving
healthcare and life sciences companies and others in the industry.
We offer big-agency expertise with small agency love and personal, executive-level attention. Every day.
And we stand by our values: curiosity, creativity, and authenticity.
View fact sheet...