Consent Doesn't End With Touch: Why Photographing Disabled People Matters Too
Yesterday’s Seattle Mariners game was just about everything you could ask for on the Fourth of July.
Read the full piece →Field notes from the fine print
Policy meets real life.
Real life has notes.
Because “working as designed” is not the same as working.
Featured
Featured writing
How Ticketmaster's Exchange Policy Created An Accessibility Paradox
I spent nearly two hours this week trying to convince Ticketmaster to let me spend more money.
Read the full piece →
Reclaiming Broken: Disability, Humor, and the Power of Naming Ourselves
Someone once told me I shouldn’t call myself a “Broken Kid.” They meant well.
Read the full piece →The archive
Latest writing
Access & systems
When Did "Eventually" Become Good Enough for Accessibility?
What does it take for an accessibility accommodation to work?
Identity & culture
When Did Disability Become Cool?
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about whether disability has somehow become cool, which is a strange sentence to write after spending most of my life watching disabled people fight to have our lives treated as anything other than tragic.
Identity & culture
Consent Doesn't End With Touch: Why Photographing Disabled People Matters Too
Yesterday’s Seattle Mariners game was just about everything you could ask for on the Fourth of July.
Work & policy
How Ticketmaster's Exchange Policy Created An Accessibility Paradox
I spent nearly two hours this week trying to convince Ticketmaster to let me spend more money.
Personal essay
What Accessible Wedding Venues Still Get Wrong In 2026
A wedding venue told me it was “accessible.” Then my fiancée and I arrived and were immediately staring at a hill that felt borderline dangerous as a wheelchair user.
Work & policy
The Human Cost of AI Efficiency In The Workplace
Work is getting faster.
Work & policy
Inclusion Only Works When You Mean It: The Numbers Behind Disability Employment
Disability employment just dropped.
Access & systems
What Happens When Airlines Damage Wheelchairs? The Reality of Flying With A Disability
Every time I fly, I have to ask myself: Will my wheelchair still work when we land?
Work & policy
Unpaid Internships and Disability: Why 'Opportunity' Often Leads Nowehere
A disabled worker spent nine months doing unpaid work and still didn’t get the job.
Work & policy
How the SAVE Act Could Impact Disabled Voters and Access to Voting
When we talk about access to voting, we tend to describe systems as “accessible” even when they depend on help to work.
Service dogs
Lyft Agrees On Settlement After Service Dog Ride Denials
Disability advocate Ryan Honick reacts to a new Lyft settlement after a blind college student, Tori Andres, was repeatedly denied rides because of her service dog.
Service dogs
Don't Push My Wheelchair: Unsolicited "Help" At The Airport Isn't Help
A stranger grabbed my wheelchair at LAX.
Access & systems
When “Accessible” Isn’t Accessible: What My Hotel Stay Revealed About ADA Gaps
We booked an accessible hotel room.
Work & policy
Accessibility Failures in 2026: The Hidden Cost of Making Disabled People “Make It Work”
A disabled woman goes into Victoria’s Secret & Co.
Access & systems
Why Being Disabled Is Not A Travel Hack
Happy 2026.
Work & policy
↗Work & policy
AI Is Changing the Future of Work. Disabled Workers Already Know What That Feels Like.
Everywhere I look, people seem afraid of becoming irrelevant thanks to AI.
Work & policy
Remote Work Is a Lifeline for Disabled Workers. Why Are Leaders Still Ignoring That?
I’ve always said remote work kept my career sustainable long before COVID made it acceptable.
Work & policy
What Happens When Accessibility Is Built In Instead of Bolted On?
Imagine asking a hiring manager in the middle of a job interview, “What’s your line-item budget for accessibility?” And then just… watching their face.
Identity & culture
What Real Leaders Understand About Power And Trust
When I hear a CEO say “get on board or quit,” my brain freezes.
Identity & culture
Inclusion Isn't A Debate: Why SHRM Got It Wrong
Inclusion isn't optional.
Work & policy
When the Playground Becomes the Boardroom: How Bullying Grows Up
I read this story about a third grader in New Jersey.
Work & policy
NDEAM Is Over, but the Access Horror Show Runs Year-Round
They put a spell on you.
Identity & culture
The Jobs AI Can’t Replace and the Workers It’s Already Erasing
AI isn’t replacing workers.
Identity & culture
Not All Disabled Leaders Are Allies, And That’s the Conversation We Need to Have
As October wraps up, I keep circling back to something we rarely say out loud: not all disabled people are allies.
Work & policy
Awareness Doesn’t Pay The Rent
Every October, the feeds light up.
Work & policy
Real Access Starts With Trust: Why Disabled Workers Are Burning Out
Every October, the same playbook rolls out.
Work & policy
What It Feels Like to Be Called 'Non-Essential' by Your Own Government
Shutdowns don't just stop paychecks.
Service dogs
Not Just a Glitch: Why Uber’s Discrimination Against Service Dog Teams Matters
In this CBS News segment, disability advocate and accessibility strategist Ryan Honick shares his personal experience with repeated Uber ride denials while traveling with his service dog, Lovey.
Service dogs
What It Took to Get to the DOJ v. Uber Lawsuit
I’ve been denied rides with my service dog more times than I can count.
Service dogs
What It Really Means to Advocate for Disability Rights And Why I Keep Showing Up
I don’t always enjoy talking about myself, but when I do, I make sure it’s honest.
Service dogs
Access Isn’t Extra: What It’s Really Like Navigating Seattle with a Service Dog
New city, same fight.
Work & policy
Reasonable Accommodations Aren’t Favors — They’re Rights
Here’s the thing about reasonable accommodations: The law frames them as “reasonable.” The process calls them “interactive.” But depending on whether management engages in good faith, they can either be empowering… or soul-crushing.
Service dogs
What My Service Dog Lovey Taught Me in Our First 90 Days as a Team
Three months in, and I still catch myself smiling at the little things.
Identity & culture
Performative Allyship Is Exhausting—Here’s What Real Support Looks Like
Earlier this month, I went to the first-ever WAWABILITY event at The Anthem.
Identity & culture
Why Uber Keeps Failing Disabled Riders—And What It’s Costing Us
Yesterday, I watched a third Uber driver pull up, see my Canine Companions® service dog, and drive off.
Identity & culture
Reclaiming Broken: Disability, Humor, and the Power of Naming Ourselves
Someone once told me I shouldn’t call myself a “Broken Kid.” They meant well.
Identity & culture
Disability Pride Month Is Great—But Disability Happens All Year
Let’s talk about service dogs, speech-to-text, and that weird moment when accessibility becomes “cool” only after it’s gone mainstream.
Service dogs
Dressed Up, Denied, and Determined: What One Day Revealed About Access
We got dressed up to get turned away.
Service dogs
Meet Lovey: A New Chapter in Pride, Partnership, and Paws
The truth is, I wasn’t sure my heart had room for another dog.
Access & systems
The Real Cost of Doubting Disabled Students
I remember the hours I poured into LSAT prep—practice exams, flashcards, the quiet resolve of Saturday mornings spent chasing a dream.
Identity & culture
Why the Federal Government’s New Hiring Rules Terrify Me as a Disability Advocate
Let’s talk about what it feels like to be a disabled person trying to work for your government—while your government quietly rewrites the rules to keep you out.
Work & policy
“Access Isn’t Just a Ramp—It’s a Vibe”: Reflections from the DIAL Conference
There’s something quietly powerful about being invited into a space that’s not only ready to hear you—but ready to evolve.
Service dogs
CAMA 2025: What I Shared, What I Felt, and What We All Need to Hear
This morning, I had the joy of presenting at the 5th Annual Communication Always Matters Always (CAMA) Conference—and I’m still catching my breath from the energy in the (virtual) room.
Service dogs
What Two Weeks in Medford Taught Me About Leadership, Loss, and Love
I just got back from two of the most intense weeks I’ve had in years—at the Northeast Region training facility for Canine Companions® in Medford, NY.
Work & policy
Leaving Federal Service Isn’t Easy—Here’s How You Can Help
After nearly 15 years in government, I’ve seen dysfunction.
Access & systems
“See You Tomorrow—We Hope”: Inside the Collapse of Federal Morale
“See you tomorrow—we hope.” That’s what we say now at the end of calls with colleagues.
Identity & culture
“We All Have Something” Is a Lie That Harms Disabled People—Here’s Why
I’ll be honest: I’m tired.
Work & policy
The Night Democracy Didn’t Sleep: Lessons from Cory Booker’s 25-Hour Stand
What does it look like when one man decides that rolling over is not an option?
Work & policy
The Cost of Silence: How DEI Rollbacks Are Erasing Disability from the Conversation
I’ve been thinking a lot about sirens.
Access & systems
Rest as Resistance: How Disabled Advocates Fight for Change While Caring for Themselves
I’ve been absent from LinkedIn for a few weeks.
Work & policy
Disability Accommodations at Work: Why Employees Fear Speaking Up
Who gets to be "disabled enough"?
Work & policy
“What Did You Do This Week?” – The Bureaucratic Nightmare That Sent Federal Employees Into a Frenzy
Anything interesting hit your inbox this weekend?
Work & policy
Mass Federal Layoffs: How Schedule A Employees Became the First to Go
It’s Valentine’s Day.
Access & systems
The Fight for Disability Rights: How Dismantling the Education Department Endangers Millions
Let’s be real: Without the U.S.
Work & policy
Federal Workforce Cuts Are Coming—And Disabled Employees Are the First to Go
When the now infamous “buyout” offer hit my inbox a few weeks ago, I was dumbfounded.
Access & systems
The Harmful Myth of “Never Letting Disability Stop You” – Why We Need to Rethink Resilience
On March 3, 2020, I wrote a tweet that continues to resurface in conversations about disability and chronic illness: "I don’t know who needs to hear this, but the ‘I never let my disability/pain/illness stop me’ is an ableist and harmful narrative.
Identity & culture
DEI Under Attack? Kendrick Lamar’s Halftime Show Just Sent a Powerful Response
The National Football League (NFL) Super Bowl halftime show is one of the biggest stages in America.
Identity & culture
The Non-Sports Fan’s Survival Guide to Super Bowl LIX (Yes, You Can Fake It)
It’s that time again—when nacho consumption soars, brands spend millions to make us cry over a talking golden retriever, and for one night, everyone suddenly becomes an expert on “momentum shifts.” But what if you, dear reader, couldn’t care less about National Football League (NFL) Super Bowl LIX?
Work & policy
DEI is Under Attack—But Inclusion Can’t Be Optional
Every day, I watch as the policies meant to ensure my dignity, my inclusion, and frankly, my survival, get dismantled.
Identity & culture
Think That 2 A.M. Email Means Workaholism? Think Again
With all the uncertainty surrounding the federal workforce, the flood of emails, and my need to shut out the noise, I’ve been reflecting on how my coping skills and work habits often align with neurotypical norms.
Work & policy
The Midnight Deadline That Could Change the Federal Workforce Forever
As Tom Petty famously said, "You can stand me up at the gates of hell, I won't back down." This morning, like every other federal employee, I received another email reminding me that time is almost up.
Service dogs
Uber’s Service Dog Policy Update: Progress or Just PR?
I’ve spent a lifetime advocating for disability rights, fighting for equity, and pushing companies to make accessibility a reality—I’ve seen firsthand how corporations talk a big game about inclusion but fail in practice.
Work & policy
“Did You Do Anything Related to DEI?”—The Question That’s Destroying Federal Careers
I’ve spent over a decade in federal service, working across multiple administrations.
Work & policy
Trump Blamed DEI for a Plane Crash. Here’s Why That’s Dangerous.
I wish I could say I was surprised.
Work & policy
The War on DEI: What It Means for Disability Advocacy in the Federal Workforce
The federal government is currently experiencing a period of significant change in areas such as Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, return-to-office mandates, and executive orders that directly affect federal policies.
Access & systems
The Forgotten in the Flames: Why Emergency Planning Must Include Disabled People
Reading the recent story from Sonja Sharp at Los Angeles Times about Anthony Mitchell Sr.
Access & systems
Accessibility at Disney: A Conversation We Need to Have
Growing up in Los Angeles, some of my best childhood memories were at The Walt Disney Company parks with friends.
Identity & culture
Red Flags in Job Descriptions: What Disabled Applicants Notice
Today, I find myself reflecting on a troubling trend in job postings that claim inclusivity while subtly discouraging applicants with disabilities.
Identity & culture
The Two Faces of Language: Empowerment vs. Weaponization
Yesterday I wrote about how reclaiming slurs like “cripple” or “spaz” has been a method for me of retaking control — words that once pierced can become emblems of resistance and empowerment.
Identity & culture
↗Identity & culture
Sebastian Stan’s Call to Normalize Disability: Hollywood’ Role in Cultural Change
Last night, Sebastian Stan stood on the Golden Globes stage and delivered an acceptance speech that was equal parts gratitude and a societal call for more disability inclusion in storytelling saying, “Our ignorance and discomfort around disability and disfigurement has to end.
Work & policy
The FTC’s $1M Wake-Up Call to accessiBe: Why Accessibility Overlays Are Failing Us
As someone who uses assistive technology on a daily basis, I understand the value of true accessibility.
Service dogs
Why Lying About Disability Hurts Everyone
Thanksgiving this year marked a bittersweet milestone for me: my first flight since the passing of my service dog, Canine Companions® Pico.
Access & systems
Turning Frustration Into Fuel: Disability Advocacy in 2025
The world feels heavy, doesn’t it?
Identity & culture
Why Disability Representation in Media Is More Than Just a Moral Imperative
As we close out 2024, I can’t stop thinking about Wicked.
Access & systems
Linkedin Rewind: 2024 A Year In Review
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.
Work & policy
Remote Work Isn’t a Perk—It’s a Lifeline for Disabled Federal Employees
For more than a decade as a federal employee, I’ve been proud to serve the public.
Work & policy
Project 2025 and America’s Choice: What Trump’s Reelection Means for Disability Rights and DEI
For many in the disability community, the outcome of this election is a profound blow.
Service dogs
Rest Easy, Pico
Many of you know me for my advocacy work around disability rights, accessibility, and inclusion.
Identity & culture
Creative, Inclusive Workspaces: What We Can All Learn from the Adaptive Umbrella Workshop
As we kick off National Disability Employment Awareness Month, yesterday I had the incredible honor of delivering the closing keynote address at the Adaptive Umbrella Workshop, hosted by the Bloomfield Township Public Library .
Service dogs
The Floor, Not the Ceiling: Continuing the ADA's Legacy
All month long, I've been reflecting a lot on how disability is so often misunderstood.
Identity & culture
Disability Pride: Beyond the Celebratory Facade
Disability is like any other complex relationship, filled with highs and lows.
Identity & culture
Piecing It Together: A Story of Self-Discovery and Disability Awareness
As we celebrate the 34th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, I want to share a story close to my heart.
Identity & culture
The Power of Words: Trump's Harsh Views vs. Biden's Compassion
I can’t stop thinking about President Biden’s address to the nation last night—his first since deciding to exit the 2024 race.
Identity & culture
Honoring Robin Williams: Shedding Light on Invisible Disabilities During Disability Pride Month
Reflecting on Robin Williams’ birthday this past week has brought back a flood of memories and emotions.
Identity & culture
A Legacy of Inclusion: Thank You, President Biden
I’ll be honest: the news that President Biden won't seek reelection in 2024 hit me hard.
Identity & culture
The Crip Tax: Unveiling the Hidden Costs of Disability
Today, I want to talk about what is colloquially known in our community as the "Crip Tax." This term encompasses the increased cost of living that accompanies being disabled.
Identity & culture
Why Removing Equity from DEI Is a Step Back for Disability Inclusion
Recently, I've been reflecting on the troubling trend of companies removing 'equity' from their DEI initiatives, a move now endorsed by the SHRM .
Identity & culture
One Step Away: Reflecting on Trump's Narrow Escape and Disability
This weekend's events at Donald Trump's rally in Pennsylvania have left us all grappling with numerous questions.
Identity & culture
Why 'Dateable' is the Book Every Disabled Person Needs
Today, I am reflecting on the incredible opportunity to be featured in the transformative book, "Dateable" by Jessica Slice and Caroline Cupp .
Identity & culture
The Hidden Biases of AI: What Disabled Job Seekers Need to Know
Today, I’m diving into something that's been on my mind a lot lately: the role of artificial intelligence in hiring.
Identity & culture
No Way to Run a Country? The Harmful Narratives of Ableism in Media
As a disability advocate, I am often reminded of the pervasive ableism that infiltrates many aspects of our society.
Service dogs
You Don’t Look Disabled: The Harmful Effects of Gatekeeping
Living with cerebral palsy, I've encountered many forms of gatekeeping that undermine my lived experience.
Access & systems
Independence Day and Financial Freedom: How Biden’s PSLF Reforms are Changing Lives
As we celebrate Independence Day, I reflect on the broader meanings of independence.
Identity & culture
Gatekeeping Magic: The Exclusionary Impact of Disney's New DAS Rules
As we celebrate Disability Pride Month, a time to honor the achievements of the disability community, we must also address the setbacks that threaten our progress.
Identity & culture
The Dual Reality of Disability Pride Month: Progress in Technology, Challenges in Law
For over three decades, the Americans with Disabilities Act has been the cornerstone of ensuring rights and access for millions of Americans with disabilities.
Work & policy
AI: The Game-Changer for Accessibility and Inclusion in the Workplace
Today, I want to explore the vital role of AI in disability advocacy, particularly in the realm of employment and remote work.
Work & policy
The Ripple Effect: How Staying Present Can Transform Advocacy
In a pivotal scene from one of my favorite movies, "Peaceful Warrior," a dialogue unfolds on a bridge that has profoundly influenced my approach to advocacy.
Work & policy
Leading by Example: The Power of Allyship in Disability Inclusion
The landscape of disability employment is experiencing a transformative shift, marking an era of significant progress and inclusivity.
Identity & culture
The Goldilocks Dilemma: Navigating Disability Representation in the Workplace
In the realm of business, the dialogue around disability inclusion often mirrors a well-rehearsed play: grand declarations of commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are made, yet the curtain falls before any meaningful action takes place.
Access & systems
Championing Diversity: Unpacking the Lululemon Inclusivity Debate
As we usher in 2024 with optimism, it's a sobering reminder for me, as a disability advocate, that the journey toward true equality and inclusivity is still a work in progress.
Service dogs
Pico's Farewell Tour: From Counter-Surfing to Corporate Change
Dear Pico: As we kick off 2024 and you officially hang up your service dog vest and trade it in for a well-deserved life of leisure, sprawled out on your deluxe Big Barker dog bed (a far cry from our early training days), I can't help but reminisce about our adventures - filled with advocacy, more…
Work & policy
Starbucks' Third Place Promise: Where Accessibility Falls Short
As a disability advocate, I've always believed in the power of inclusive design and accessibility.
Work & policy
The Pandemic's Impact on Workplace Inclusion: Lessons from the RVO Health Panel
Yesterday, as part of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, I had the distinct honor of joining a panel with the dynamic team from RVO Health .
Work & policy
Navigating the Ableist Undertones of the Return-to-Office Movement
October, a month dedicated to raising awareness about disability employment, has always been pivotal.
Identity & culture
Beyond the 1%: Amplifying Disabled Voices in Hollywood and Halls of Power
In the vibrant tapestry of our society, the disabled community weaves a narrative often left unexplored, yet profoundly impactful.
Service dogs
Empowerment on Four Legs: Celebrating National Service Dog Month
Yesterday, I was honored to witness the formal recognition of National Service Dog Month by the Council of the District of Columbia , a testament to the incredible work of organizations like Canine Companions® .
Identity & culture
Why Relaxed Dress Codes Can Be a Game-Changer for People with Disabilities
In light of the recent changes to the Senate's dress code, as detailed by Axios and Rolling Stone , it's essential to view this shift as more than just a fashion statement.
Service dogs
Snapshots of Service: Pico's Dedication Amidst a Career of Change
As I sit at my desk, the hum of assistive technology filling the room, I'm reminded of the many challenges and triumphs I've faced as a disability advocate and federal employee.
Access & systems
Kicking Off STEPtember Fundraising
As we dive into STEPtember, raising money for Cerebral Palsy Alliance Research Foundation , I am absolutely blown away by the support we've received.
Service dogs
Magic with a Side of Bureaucracy: Navigating Theme Parks and Airlines with Disabilities
Growing up in sunny California, I was fortunate to be surrounded by some of the world's most iconic theme parks - Disneyland Resort , Universal Studios Hollywood , and Six Flags Magic Mountain .
Service dogs
Why ADA Compliance Doesn't Always Mean Accessibility
For the vast majority of my life I've navigated the intricate maze of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Access & systems
Driving Change: The Role of Autonomous Vehicles in Disability Advocacy
With the recent news out of California surrounding regulations for autonomous vehicles, I’ve been thinking a lot about the future of transportation and the intersection of independence, safety, and innovation.
Access & systems
Adaptable, Flexible, Unstoppable: Eddie Ndopu's Message of Hope and Strength
In our journey through life, I find myself reflecting on the dual narratives that society often imposes on those with disabilities.
Work & policy
Challenging Misconceptions: The Power of Reasonable Accommodations in the Workplace
Today I'm reflecting heavily on the importance of reasonable accommodations in the workplace.
Identity & culture
Motorized Wheelchair User Sets Unofficial Speed Record in Grocery Store
I'm thrilled to share that my recent story has been published on The Squeaky Wheel , a satirical platform that offers a unique perspective on disability news.
Identity & culture
Barbie Movie: A Step Forward or a Missed Opportunity for Disability Representation?
This past weekend, my girlfriend and I joined the throngs of Mattel, Inc.
Identity & culture
The Unseen Battle: Chronic Pain and the Performance of Wellness
Last night, I attended a Matchbox 20 concert at Jiffy Lube Live , an event that had been on my calendar since before the pandemic.
Identity & culture
Celebrating Universal Design and Inclusion at GitLab
Today marks the 33rd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a landmark legislation that has transformed the lives of millions of Americans.
Identity & culture
The ADA and Beyond: The Ongoing Fight for Workplace Inclusion
Today, it's time to reflect on the challenges and triumphs of disabled individuals in the workplace.
Identity & culture
Ableism: The Unseen Challenge in the Life of Disabled Individuals
Today I want to talk about ableism, a societal bias that favors able-bodied individuals and often results in discrimination against disabled people.
Identity & culture
Advocacy Burnout: The Untold Story of Disability Activists
As we near the end of Disability Pride Month, I find myself reflecting on the journey we've embarked on together.
Identity & culture
A Salute to Advocacy: Celebrating LinkedIn's Top Voices in Disability Advocacy
This week, I was humbled to be featured as a Top Voice in Disability Advocacy by LinkedIn for the second straight year.
Identity & culture
Breaking Stereotypes: The Unspoken Truth About Sexuality and Disability
So, here we are, celebrating Disability Pride Month.
Identity & culture
Beyond Compliance: The Art of Fostering Accessibility in Your Organization
Honored once again to be featured as a LinkedIn #TopVoice for Disability as we continue the fight for equality.
Identity & culture
The Power of Universal Design: A Look at Comcast's Innovative Remote
Today as part of the ongoing celebration of Disability Pride Month, I want to spotlight a concept that's revolutionizing the way we think about accessibility: Universal Design.
Identity & culture
Disability Rights in the Age of Surveillance: A Call for Inclusive Tech
As we celebrate Disability Pride Month, it's crucial to spotlight the urgent need for lawmakers to act in regulating surveillance technologies to protect the rights of disabled individuals.
Identity & culture
Rideshare's Rocky Road: The Struggle for Equal Access in Uber and Lyft
Today I want to address the ongoing discrimination faced by individuals with disabilities in the rideshare industry, specifically companies like Uber and Lyft .
Identity & culture
No Joke: Making Workplaces Disability-Friendly Can Be Fun!
Today I thought I'd take a moment to talk about something that's as close to my heart as my love for Starbucks coffee: making workplaces more inclusive for employees with disabilities.
Identity & culture
Empowering Voices: The Importance of Validating Experiences in Disability
Today, as part of the ongoing celebration of Disability Pride Month, I want to delve into a topic that is often overlooked but is crucial in supporting people with disabilities: validation.
Identity & culture
Redefining Leadership: The Urgent Need for Disability Representation in the Boardroom
We're almost halfway through Disability Pride Month.
Identity & culture
The Remote Work Revolution: A Catalyst for Change in Disability Law
As we celebrate Disability Pride Month, let’s talk about the seismic shift in the world of work - The Remote Work Revolution - and its impact on disability law.
Identity & culture
Threads: A Missed Opportunity for Accessibility and Inclusion
As a disability advocate and a person with disabilities, I am disheartened to witness the launch of Meta 's new social media platform, Threads, without the inclusion of basic accessibility features.
Identity & culture
The ADA Under Siege? What the Supreme Court’s Latest Ruling Means for Disability Rights
The recent U.S.
Identity & culture
Embracing Our Identities: A Message to My Disabled Peers
As we roll into Disability Pride Month, I want to send a message of love and empowerment to my fellow disabled individuals.
Identity & culture
The Culture Shift: A Not-So-Secret Mission for Senior Leadership (and a Nudge for Disability Pride Month)
We’re approaching Disability Pride Month, and I’ve got a mission for all the bigwigs out there.
Service dogs
‘Artificial Intelligence Will Steal My Job!’ Fears Service Dog
In the mood for a chuckle today?
Identity & culture
Free Expertise? The True Cost of Devaluing Disability Advocacy
In my life as a disability advocate, I've had the honor of standing up for countless causes, initiatives, and events.
Identity & culture
Are E-Bikes and E-Scooters Making Our Cities Less Accessible?
Ladies and gentlemen, gather 'round, for I have a tale to tell.
Work & policy
From Inclusion to Exclusion: The Impact of Remote Work Reduction on Disabled Employees
As we navigate the post-pandemic world, many companies, including Farmers Insurance Group , Meta , The Walt Disney Company , Lyft , and Amazon , are scaling back remote work options.
Service dogs
How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Plane
Greetings, fellow readers!
Work & policy
Leveling the Academic Field: The Role of AI for Students with Disabilities
Navigating academia with multiple disabilities, including a visual impairment presented significant challenges.
Access & systems
Navigating the Concert Jungle: The Untold Struggles of Disabled Music Lovers
As a wheelchair user and partner to Canine Companions® Pico, I cherish the excitement of live concerts.
Identity & culture
Our Stories, Our Images: The Quest for Authentic Disability Representation
As a disabled person, I’m often searching for my reflection in brand messaging.
Access & systems
Unseen Costs: Navigating Student Debt and the Disability Tax in America
As we enter the final week of May, dedicated to highlighting mental health awareness, it's essential to discuss student loan debt and the "disability tax" — colloquially known as the Crip Tax.
Identity & culture
Global Accessibility Awareness Day Part II
Happy Global Accessibility Awareness Day. As we celebrate let’s remember accessibility can take on many forms. When we make the world more accessible to all we make it more inclusive. #GlobalAccessibilityAwarenessDay #Technology #DisabilityAwareness #Disability #GAAD2023 #GAAD
Identity & culture
The Broken Promises of Accessible Travel: A First-Hand Perspective
Today, I find myself echoing the eloquent Inigo Montoya from "The Princess Bride." "Accessibility: You keep using that word.
Access & systems
Global Accessibility Awareness Day 2023
Global Accessibility Awareness Day may officially be two days away, but advocacy isn’t dictated by a calendar.
Access & systems
The Toll of Advocacy On Mental Health
Advocacy is not complaining.
Access & systems
From The Classroom To The Boardroom: A Journey of Disability Mental Health
As I reflect on Mental Health Awareness Month, I am reminded of the ongoing struggles that disabled people face daily.
Work & policy
How AI Can Make Disabled People Stronger Advocates
Recently, a neighbor in my apartment complex became increasingly irate anytime Canine Companions® Pico and I would pass her door.
Identity & culture
The Importance of Disability Representation in Fashion
" Taylor Lindsay-Noel says her “jaw dropped” after seeing the clip, which has been making its rounds on social media this week.
Identity & culture
Carson Briére apologizes for damaging wheelchair after 'disturbing video' surfaces
“It might seem like nothing more than immature, drunken behaviour, but what Briere and his friends did is a frightening example of complete disregard for the humanity of disabled people,” Emily Ladau told Yahoo Sports Canada.
Work & policy
Thank You, USPTO
Today is my last day with the USPTO .
Identity & culture
Junk Fees Hit Disabled People Too
"President Biden dedicated quite a bit of airtime in his State of the Union address to the Junk Fees Prevention Act, a push to limit hidden fees and surcharges in a number of industries.
Work & policy
Senator John Fetterman And Reasonable Accommodations In The Workplace
“I do think that John Fetterman—his example personally, and the example the Senate is setting—will be really helpful to a lot of people,” says Maria Town , President and CEO of the American Association of People with Disabilities .
Identity & culture
Spastic Chatter: Episode 90 Disability Humor, Employment, & More
Thank you Whitney Bailey for the opportunity to join Spastic Chatter . What a fun and honest deep dive into all things Cerebral Palsy and quite the kickoff for 2023!
Identity & culture
Is Long COVID Considered to Be a Disability in the Workplace?
Thank you Brandi Fowler and LinkedIn News for the opportunity to talk about the affects of Long Covid in the workplace and its impact on the disability community.
Access & systems
How The Twitter Layoffs Affect The Disability Community
If users want to emphasize how important the continued prioritization of accessibility actually is, we need to lean into one of the best parts about Twitter: how easy it makes it to amplify a cause.
Work & policy
Return to Office Policies Will Hurt The Disabled Workforce
“Remote work and remote-work options are something that our community has been advocating for for decades, and it’s a little frustrating that for decades corporate America was saying it’s too complicated, we’ll lose productivity, and now suddenly it’s like, sure, let’s do it,” said Charles-Edouard…
Work & policy
Disability and Disclosure in the. Workplace
A huge thank you to Susan Woolner, Lisa Gigliotti , and everyone at the Michigan Chapter of Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America, Inc.
Work & policy
Event Recap: Diversability Unplugged: Disability and Ableism in the Workplace
Thank you to Tiffany A.
Identity & culture
How Do You Disclose a Disability During a Job Search?
Thank you Lora Korpar and the team at LinkedIn for the opportunity to be a voice on this important topic! How Do You Disclose a Disability During a Job Search?
Work & policy
The Ableist Discourse Around John Fetterman’s Stroke
“What is so harmful about seeing what's happened to John Fetterman is that he's actually experiencing what many disabled people experience every day when we ask for accommodations,” Maria Town , President and CEO of American Association of People with Disabilities added, “which is an instant doubt…
Access & systems
Rootbound Episode 41: Soybean
So much fun talking with my friend Steve Ellington on the latest episode of Rootbound.
Work & policy
How To Spot The Best Disability Friendly Workplaces
Last summer I applied for a job with a federal agency.
Work & policy
Action over Optics During NDEAM
We’re less than a week into National Disability Employment Awareness Month.
Work & policy
National Disability Employment Awareness Month
As we kickoff National Disability Employment Awareness Month, ( #NDEAM ), my inner advocate cringes at the notion that this is something we need in 2022.
Work & policy
Crist’s Running Mate Says Past Special Ed Experience Qualifies Her to Deal with GOP Legislature
" Karla Hernandez-Mats , teachers’ union heavyweight and running mate of Florida Democratic gubernatorial nominee Charlie Crist, was caught at a campaign event Tuesday claiming that her experience working with special needs children prepared her to contend with the state’s Republican-dominated…
Identity & culture
Jim Langevin barred from flying because of lithium-ion battery
"When airline staff learned that [Representative Langevin's] wheelchair used lithium-ion batteries - a lighter-weight, more durable type of battery - they refused to let him bring it on the flight.
Identity & culture
STEPtember 2022 Kickoff
Can you believe it’s been a year since last #STEPtember ?
Work & policy
Quiet Quitting Your DEIA Work
Friendly reminder to #leadership and teams in charge of #diversity , #equity , #inclusion , and #accessibility efforts: The ADA should be considered the bare minimum from an access POV.
Access & systems
Rideshare Woes Continue For Disabled Passangers
“ Lyft is not a government institution.
Access & systems
National Radio Day
In honor of #NationalRadioDay , here’s a throwback from my time as a KUPS 90.1FM Tacoma "The Sound" DJ at University of Puget Sound with wildly purple hair. Something about a cramped radio studio will always feel like home. #GoLoggers #OnceALogger
Work & policy
The Untapped Potential of Disability in the Workplace
I’ve heard from multiple people charged with #diversity , #equity , #inclusion , and #access efforts that lack of familiarity with #disability makes them uncomfortable when recruiting.
Access & systems
The Disability Wage Gap and Student Loan Forgiveness
Over the past several months the Biden administration has racked up impressive wins related to targeted student loan forgiveness.
Access & systems
Airlines Continue Mishandling Wheelchairs at Alarming Rate
"We would never accept airlines breaking the legs of 1 in 65 passengers, and yet, that is essentially what is happening when 1 out of 65 wheelchairs are being broken by airlines." —Senator Tammy Duckworth to Business Insider .
Identity & culture
Disability Pride PSA
In our final few days of Disability Pride, a quick PSA to my non-disabled followers and disability allies.
Identity & culture
Celebrating The ADA at 32
Yesterday, with the help of StoryCorps , I had the privilege of a lifetime sitting down with my friend, Business RadioX® “Fearless Formula” podcast host, and Professional Voice-over Artist Sharon Cline .
Identity & culture
The Power of Representation
Disability-related workplace complaints were the second most-common discrimination complaint filed to the EEOC in 2020, and according to data published by the National Bureau of Economic Research , job candidates who disclose their disability are less likely to receive interest from employers.
Identity & culture
Disability Pride And The Meaning of Independence
As part of Disability Pride Month, Momentum Wheels for Humanity highlighted what independence meant to some of their friends and supporters in the disability community.
Access & systems
LinkedIn Top Voices in Disability Advocacy: The 12 creators to follow
I am honored to be named a Top Voice in Disability Advocacy by LinkedIn for 2022.
Identity & culture
Disability Pride Month
It’s Disability Pride month, and a cursory glance at the headlines reveals several newsworthy events.
Access & systems
4 Things High Risk People Need Now To Fight Covid
"The disability community sees disaster looming — more mass death and disablement, and a choice between hospitalization and death, or almost total isolation while everyone else enjoys maskless flying, parties, and eating in restaurants.
Access & systems
Over 3.5 Billion People Will Need Assistive Products by 2050: Report
About two in three people who use assistive products said they paid for those tools out-of-pocket, according to a report from the World Health Organization .
Work & policy
The World Economic Forum
“There is a global disability inequality crisis.
Work & policy
Disabled workers are struggling to get jobs, even in a labor shortage
In April, 8.3% of disabled Americans were unemployed, compared with 3.1% of those without a disability.
Work & policy
Some Minority Workers, Tired of Workplace Slights, Say They Prefer Staying Remote
“People with disabilities have been left out of civic life for so long,” Carol Glazer , president of the National Organization on Disability says, “If we don’t see them in our schools, in our communities, in our workplaces, it only reinforces a lack of understanding and the implicit bias that leads…
Work & policy
Where Are All The Disabled Students?
Following the mass shooting in Uvalde, I have struggled to comprehend the inhumanity.
Access & systems
Global Accessibility Awareness Day
"The truth of the matter is, Netflix Director of Product Accessibility Heather Dowdy explained, the disability community “has been here all along.” As such, it makes sense to want to normalize and tell their stories.
Access & systems
Madison Cawthorn
The disability community talks frequently about how representation matters, and it does, especially in Congress where that representation can lead to better lives for disabled people.
Work & policy
Disability Bias in AI Hiring Tools Targeted in US Guidance
As many as 83% of employers, and as many as 90% among Fortune 500 companies, are using some form of automated tools to screen or rank candidates for hiring, according to EEOC ’s Charlotte Burrows .
Identity & culture
New PSA Urges More Disability Visibility and Representation in Hollywood
“A [2021] report on the television writing from the Think Tank for Inclusion and Equity found that 93% of disabled writers surveyed said they were the only disabled person on staff, and 97% of writing rooms had no upper-level disabled writers.” - Marc Malkin Variety Think about that for a moment.
Identity & culture
When Your Wheelchair is Your Legs: Holding Airlines Accountable For Broken Mobility Equipment
Travel these days gives me a bit more anxiety than it used to.
Identity & culture
The Pandemic Created A Systemic Shift For Disability Rights and Accessible Space, Even If It Was Accidental
For the past 18 months or so during the pandemic, time stood somewhat still.
Service dogs
Using Rideshare Services Isn’t Easy When You Have a Service Animal. That Needs to Change.
This post originally appeared on the Rooted In Rights blog.
Service dogs
Tales from a service dog: what I want the public to know about me and my handler
The following is a public service announcement brought to you by Pico Honick, service dog.
Service dogs
PETCO discriminated against me and my service dog on the ADA's 25th anniversary
The headline almost reads like an SNL parody or a headline from the Onion.
Work & policy
THREE COMMUNICATION LESSONS FROM THE 2015 STATE OF THE UNION
Every year policy wonks around the country gleefully tune in to the State of the Union.
Work & policy
FOR BRANDS, ONLINE ENGAGEMENT IS ONLY HALF THE BATTLE.
Greg Weiss, Vice President of Social Media at MasterCard, gained a lot of attention yesterday when he said a brand that replies to his tweets makes more of an impact on him than years of advertising ever could.
Work & policy
THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN SURVIVAL GUIDE: WHY LAUGHTER ALWAYS WINS
If you’re not laughing at the government shutdown, you’re doing it wrong.
Access & systems
HOW THE FLAWED TSA PROCEDURES AFFECT THE DISABLED
Article first published as How The Flawed TSA Procedures Affect The Disabled on Technorati.
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