July is Disability Pride Month, which celebrates disabled persons embracing their disabilities as integral parts of who they are and commemorates the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which was signed into law in 1990. Disability pride means accepting and honoring each person’s uniqueness and seeing it as a natural and beautiful part of human diversity.

To celebrate, this week our CapAbilities Employee Resource Group (ERG) hosted a global virtual Sign Language Class. As a co-lead of Commvault’s CapAbilities ERG, we host these events to create a safe and empathetic space where people with disabilities, caregivers, and their allies can openly and honestly discuss issues facing them.

We were joined by our CFO Gary Merrill and his daughter Emily. Emily was born with Goldenhar syndrome, a rare craniofacial condition. At an earlier CapAbilities event this year, Emily shared her story and her newfound independence at Gallaudet University, the global leader in education for deaf and hard of hearing students.

We received so many kind messages after Emily’s last event and brought her back to teach us more! Emily led a beginner course on American Sign Language (ASL), sharing how she became fluent in ASL in only a few months due to the emergent program she was in at Gallaudet University. Emily walked us through the ASL alphabet, taught us how to sign our name, ask everyday questions and responses, and say “thank you.” Emily even gave us homework, because practice makes perfect! I found our conversation both incredibly meaningful and fun.  

Having these conversations are a gentle reminder to always be respectful and accepting of those who may be different from you.

Our ERG events are a core component of our DEI strategy as we work to continuously create a culture of support and belonging. They allow us to connect, support, and inspire each other by having open discussions about topics that are close to our hearts.

Click here to learn more about our DEI efforts at Commvault.