Here's my 2024 LinkedIn Rewind, by Coauthor.studio and Hunch:
2024 was the year disability employment hit its highest rate since tracking began - 22.5% - but for me, it was also the year I said goodbye to my greatest advocacy partner, Pico.
This year reminded me that advocacy isn't just about statistics. It's about the relationships that drive change, the partnerships that challenge systems, and the deeply personal journeys that transform workplaces.
At the U.S. Department of Labor, I've watched our work translate into tangible progress. But some of the most profound changes happen in moments you can't measure - like how Pico transformed how I moved through the world and how I advocate.
Key achievements that defined my year:
Professional Impact:
• Advanced accessibility policies within federal workforce
• Published influential pieces challenging AI hiring practices
• Continued driving systemic changes in workplace inclusion
Personal Growth:
• Navigated Pico's retirement and subsequent passing
• Continued as Brand Ambassador for Canine Companions® for Independence
• Maintained advocacy momentum through personal transitions
Three posts that resonated most with our community:
1. "A Goodbye to Pico"
Reflecting on how a service dog is more than a companion - they're a partner in advocacy.
"He made me a better human, a better advocate, and someone who could navigate the challenges of the world with confidence."
https://bit.ly/4a1msBj
2. "Biden's Impact on Disability Employment"
Highlighting concrete policy changes driving real improvements.
"The employment-population ratio for people with disabilities hit 22.5% - the highest since the Bureau of Labor Statistics started tracking this data in 2008."
https://bit.ly/3ZXCOqj
3. "The Shifting Landscape of Disability Employment"
Exploring how remote work transforms employment opportunities for disabled professionals.
https://bit.ly/3ZUI6CR
Looking ahead to 2025: My focus remains bridging policy and practice, particularly in emerging areas like AI hiring and remote work policies that directly impact the disability community.
To Pico, my colleagues, and the entire disability advocacy community: Our work continues. Our impact grows. And we're just getting started.
A Salute to Advocacy: Celebrating LinkedIn's Top Voices in Disability Advocacy
A picture of Ryan with a blue background and a Linkedin Top Voices graphic that reads: "Ryan Honick: Disability Advocate, Speaker, Professional Persuader."
This week, I was humbled to be featured as a Top Voice in Disability Advocacy by LinkedIn for the second straight year. Advocacy work is its own reward, but this recognition and the platform it provides to amplify our message is deeply appreciated.
Amidst all the chatter about various social media platforms and their impacts on social good, I firmly believe that LinkedIn stands out as the most beneficial and inclusive.
The honor has connected me with fellow advocates and allies, helping to magnify our collective message about the importance of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging for disabled people in our society. I am honored to be a Top Voice alongside so many inspiring advocates.
A heartfelt congratulations to Marisa Hamamoto, Lachi ♫, Donna Cruz Jones, Margaux Joffe, CPACC Jeremy Andrew Davis, Keely Cat-Wells, Meryl Evans, CPACC (deaf) Brandon Farbstein, Haben Girma, Julie Harris, Emily Ladau, Becca Lory Hector, Catarina Rivera, MSEd, MPH, CPACC, Natalie Trevonne, and Tiffany A. Yu, MSc. Your tireless efforts to create an equitable world do not go unnoticed.
Each of these advocates brings a unique perspective and voice to the table, and I encourage you to follow their work. Their stories, their struggles, and their victories are a testament to the power of advocacy.
As we celebrate this recognition, let's remember that our work is far from over. Every day, we strive to create a world where disability advocacy is no longer needed, where disability discourse is normalized, and where people with disabilities are treated as equals.
Special thanks to Marisa Hamamoto for the awesome graphic.