in partnership with:

Light for the World logo
African Disability Forum Logo
Play The Full Deck

play the
full deck

It's time to deal a new hand.

Every team is a deck of cards. But most are missing an entire suit.
Inclusion isn’t a favour. It’s what makes teams complete.
Find your card. Show your strengths. Join the movement.

Find your card
Become a Mentor
An illustrated character styled as “The Innovator,” a Black woman in a blue and pink dress with goggles and a glowing lightbulb, stands in front of two oversized playing cards. One card is “The Guardian” and a Seven of Hearts. The other is “The Mentor,” showing diverse figures holding cards with celebratory expressions. The design is vibrant, playful, and metaphorical.
A group of young women an men with disabilities stand together smiling. There are two men and three women. One woman is a lower limb amputee, one woman is a wheelchair user, one woman has Albinism.

1 in 6 people have a disability. Yet they’re twice as likely to be unemployed.

Read that again and let it sink in for a second

What if changing that starts with just one card?

 

#PlayTheFullDeck is a campaign inviting youth with and without disabilities, professionals, and employers across Africa to share their strengths and build more inclusive workplaces.

What’s your work superpower?

Swipe through 13 archetypes that represent the different strengths people bring to work. Pick the card that fits you, or take the quiz to discover your match. Some cards are already in every team. Others – like the Heart Suit – are still missing. Which one are you?

A stylised playing card of the Jack of Spades depicting an illustration of a Black woman in a flowing orange dress, holding a digital tablet glowing with blue lines. The card is titled "The Adaptor" and describes her as flexible, resilient, and a solution creator. This card has a green background of playful motifs.

The Adaptor

You bend without breaking! The shape-shifter of any situation

Download & Share

The Trailblazer

You explore what’s next and lead others into the unknown

Download & Share
A stylised playing card of the Four of Clubs featuring an illustration of a Black man in a flowing white traditional outfit, standing next to a sculpted object on a tall stand. He holds a sculpting tool in one hand. The card is titled "The Creator" and describes him as a visual thinker, imaginative, and an engineer. This card has a teal background featuring icons of creativity and design.

The Creator

You build, design, and craft ideas into something real

Download & Share
A stylised playing card of the Five of Spades featuring an illustration of a Black man in a motorised wheelchair, joyfully playing a drum, surrounded by flying sound symbols. The card is titled "The Performer," describing him as energetic, charismatic, and social. This card has a green background filled with performance and rhythm-inspired patterns.

The Performer

You lift energy and bring joy to the workfloor

Download & Share
A stylised playing card of the Six of Diamonds showing an illustration of a smiling Black man of short stature, wearing white and green traditional attire, holding a smartphone and gesturing in a welcoming way. The card is titled "The Connector," and he is described as a networker, relationship builder, and welcoming. This card has an orange background decorated with social interaction motifs.

The Connector

You bring people together and make teamwork feel effortless

Download & Share
A stylised playing card of the Seven of Clubs depicting an illustration of a Black woman wearing a yellow patterned top and red trousers. She holds a large shield and stands with a protective stance. The card is titled "The Guardian" and describes her as having a strong sense of justice, being accountable, and a risk taker. This card has a teal background featuring symbols of strength and responsibility.

The Guardian

You stand for what’s right, even when it’s not easy

Download & Share
A stylised playing card of the Eight of Spades showing an illustration of a Black woman in a bold purple dress, using forearm crutches and holding a lit candle. The card is titled "The Catalyst," and she is described as bold, an ideator, and assertive. This card has a green background patterned with dynamic, action-oriented icons.

The Catalyst

You challenge the status quo and make change happen

Download & Share
A stylised playing card of the King of Diamonds featuring an illustration of a Black man in a yellow shirt and colourful trousers, using sign language while standing in front of another seated figure. The card is titled "The Listener" and describes him as emotionally intelligent, skilled in conflict resolution, and thoughtful. This card has an orange background patterned with communication-themed icons.

The Listener

You make people feel safe, seen, and understood

Download & Share
A stylised playing card of the Two of Spades showing an illustration of a light-skinned Black person with blonde hair and glasses, seated beside a flip chart showing a bar and line graph. The card is titled "The Analyst," and they are described as insightful, skilled in data literacy, and a critical thinker. This card has a green background patterned with icons of research and analysis.

The Analyst

You uncover logic, insight, and hidden patterns that guide smarter decisions

Download & Share
A stylised playing card of the Ten of Diamonds featuring an illustration of a Black man in a striped traditional outfit, standing next to a partially assembled bicycle wheel and tools. The card title reads "The Operator," and he is described as reliable, productive, and detail-oriented. This card has an orange background covered in symbols of craftsmanship and repair.

The Operator

You make things happen, reliably and precisely

Download & Share
A stylised playing card of the Nine of Clubs showing an illustration of a Black woman in a red patterned blouse and white pants, holding a knight chess piece in one hand and a white cane in the other. The card is titled "The Strategist," and she is described as a leader, decisive, and a delegator. This card has a turquoise background featuring symbols of planning and leadership.

The Strategist

You bring structure and direction that turn plans into progress

Download & Share
A stylised playing card of the Ace of Spades depicting an illustration of a Black woman wearing a bright blue and pink dress, accessorised with goggles and a crown of light bulbs. She holds a glowing lightbulb in one hand. The card title reads "The Innovator," and she is described as forward-thinking, a problem solver, and creative. This card has a green background patterned with gears and symbols of invention

The Innovator

You imagine what doesn’t exist yet, and then you make it happen

Download & Share
A stylised playing card of the Queen of Clubs featuring an illustration of a Black woman in a golden wheelchair, wearing a striking outfit with dramatic accessories. She is surrounded by a small red heart in a comment box and a recording icon. The card reads "The Communicator," describing her as emotive, a storyteller, and a public speaker. This card has a teal background and motifs related to speech and media.

The Communicator

You give words power, translating complexity into connection

Download & Share
Not Sure? Take the Quiz

BECOME A MENTOR

Are you an employer, entrepreneur, or experienced professional? Then you might hold the Mentor Card, a powerful symbol of inclusion.

Mentorship is a simple but powerful way to help someone take their next step.

What it means to hold a Mentor Card? Make the pledge to:
  • Advocate for inclusive hiring in your workplace
  • Share your mentor card on LinkedIn to show the world that you are ready to connect
  • Accept connection requests from young women and men with disabilities on LinkedIn
  • Answer career related questions from youth in your comments, or in private messages on LinkedIn

Besides being a mentor, you might be curious what your work archetype is. Do the quiz or find your additional card on the left.

Become a mentor
FOLLOW #PlayTheFullDeck FOR NEW MENTORS & MENTEES

Want to support the campaign as an inclusive employer?

Share how your organisation is already #PlayingTheFullDeck — and challenge others to do the same.

Click on the button bellow for an example post that you can use to highlight your inclusive hiring practices and amplify the message.

✅ Don’t forget: #ShowYourCard #PlayTheFullDeck #WeCanWork

SAMPLE TEXT Linkedin
A hand with 4 different archetype cards from the play the full deck game

Stack the deck for inclusion

One move at a time

#PlayTheFullDeck SOLITAIRE

Download the full Print & Play PDF and bring inclusion and representation to your workshop, team session, or classroom.

Download
A stylised image showing four playing cards from the "Play the Full Deck" campaign. From left to right: Ace of Hearts – The Guardian: A Black woman stands confidently holding a large gold shield. She wears a yellow top and red trousers with a protective stance. Described as having a sense of justice, accountable, and a risk taker. The background is bright orange with protective-themed symbols. Ace of Spades – The Innovator: A Black woman wears a vibrant blue and pink dress with goggles and a crown of light bulbs. She holds a glowing bulb and is described as forward-thinking, a problem solver, and creative. The green background features symbols of invention and innovation. Queen of Clubs – The Communicator: A Black woman in a golden wheelchair wears dramatic accessories and holds a phone. A red heart icon and a recording symbol appear beside her. She is described as emotive, a storyteller, and a public speaker. The teal background shows icons related to speech and media. Jack of Spades – The Adaptor: A Black woman in a long orange dress holds a glowing tablet. She is described as flexible, resilient, and a solution creator. The green background is decorated with adaptive and creative motifs. Each card has a unique design and vibrant colour palette, representing different workfloor archetypes
Close

SAMPLE Linkedin text for inclusive employers

✅ Don’t forget to use these tags:

 #ShowYourCard #PlayTheFullDeck #WeCanWork #DisabilityInclusion

✅ Don’t forget to add this line in the comment section below your post:

👉 Take the quiz, discover your card, and join the movement: https://wecanworkafrica.org/playthefulldeck/  

You can share THIS visual with your post.

____________________

 At [name of your organisation], we are committed to #PlayingTheFullDeck and being intentional about hiring young women and men with disabilities.

Before we took on inclusive hiring, we were worried about
[share your biggest concern and edit the list below to match.

  • Could youth with disabilities do the same work as people without?
  • Would it be too expensive to accommodate them?
  • Would there be qualified youth in the job market?]

Guess what we learned? We were wrong!

We have learned a lot about building an inclusive workplace and it is easier than you would think!

We have implemented these strategies to be as inclusive as possible:

  • [Fill in]
  • [Fill in]
  • [Fill in]

But here’s the thing, we are just one business (or organisation). 

1 in 6 people have a disability. Yet they’re still twice as likely to be unemployed.

The #PlayTheFullDeck campaign asks: What if we change the game? What if employers were intentional about building inclusive teams?

The Hearts in a deck of cards represent young women and men with disabilities, who are often left out of the workplace. 

Now tell me… Would you take that gamble and play without any hearts?

Be deliberate – Build an inclusive team – Win the game!

I am challenging other businesses like @[company name] @[company name]

and @[company name] to be inclusive too!

Curious what your work superpower is? Take the quiz, and share your card. Link in the comments!

#ShowYourCard #PlayTheFullDeck #WeCanWork #DisabilityInclusion

The Mentor Card

Who’s it for?

Professionals, employers, or leaders ready to support ambitious youth with disabilities in their transition to work .

What does it mean?

By holding a Mentor Card, you pledge to make workplaces more inclusive. Not just in theory, but through action.

The Pledge

Before you download your card, make the pledge.

To hold and share the Mentor Card, you commit to the following:

✳️ I pledge to advocate for more inclusive workplaces, where disability is not a barrier but an opportunity.
✳️ I am ready and available to youth with disabilities who reach out through LinkedIn, and I will respond to messages with respect and intention.
✳️ I will offer my support through one or more of the following:

  • Connect on LinkedIn 
  • Answer questions about resumes, provide feedback or career advice
  • Sharing insights about my field or workplace
  • Opening my network to relevant contacts

✳️ I will conduct myself in a professional way that respects and upholds the rights and dignity of my mentees.  I will not ask them for additional contact information, share photos or videos, or engage in any behaviour that could be considered harassment or make someone feel uncomfortable.

By downloading and sharing this card, you signal that your door is open.
It’s a small gesture with big potential.

A stylised playing card titled “The Mentor,” a Special Edition Card showing an illustration of a joyful group of five Black professionals standing together, each holding up cards in celebration. They are dressed in vibrant clothing, and one wears glasses while another uses a white cane. The background is filled with a colourful traditional African pattern and warm orange tones. This card symbolises inclusion, leadership, and support.
Share on LinkedIn
Pledge and Download
Pledge and Personalise

How it works

  1. Make the pledge (above).

  2. Download your Mentor Card (you’ll receive a badge-style image you can personalise and share).

  3. Post your card on LinkedIn and any secondary social media platforms you would like– use our sample post or write your own.

  4. Respond to any youth who reaches out. If the youth is interested in further support, please reach out in the comment box on this page and the team can help you to set up additional opportunities if you would like. 

 

Example Post for LinkedIn

The best career advice I have ever received is [insert your career advice here]

I followed it by doing [share example] and guess what happened?

(share the outcome of following this advice) 

🃏 The advice I got from my mentors is what inspired me to share my Mentor Card. 

Did you know:1 in 5 people in the world has a disability. But they’re twice as likely to be unemployed.

That’s not about talent, it’s about access.  Mentorship is a step towards facilitating that access. 

The #PlayTheFullDeck campaign asks: What if we change the game? What if employers were intentional about building inclusive teams?

The Hearts in a deck of cards represent young women and men with disabilities, who are often left out of the workplace. 

Now tell me… Would you take that gamble and play without any hearts?

Be deliberate – Build an inclusive team – Win the game!

So I’m holding my Mentor Card, and I’m open to connecting with youth with disabilities who are starting their careers.  Ask me questions and learn more about working in [insert field].

💬 Want to chat? Send me a message or comment below.

🔁 Join me and get your own Mentor Card – link in the comments! I challenge @[name], @[name] and @[name] to get yours. Let’s open more doors together. Let’s #PlayTheFullDeck.

#ShowYourCard #WeCanWork #DisabilityInclusion #Mentorship

Upload Your Photo

Accepted file types: JPG, PNG, GIF

Make your mentor card uniquely yours!

Follow these quick steps to create a version you can proudly share on social media:

Upload your Photo

Click the 'Choose File' button and choose your image. It will automatically appear inside the card frame.

Adjust if needed

Zoom or move your image to make sure it fits perfectly.

Download your card

Once you’re happy with it, click Download to save your personalised card

Share it!

Post your card on social media using #PlayTheFullDeck and tag us to join the movement for more inclusive workplaces.