Brain Bite Break: Create an Accessible Workspace
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported in February 2021 that eight out in ten people with disabilities were not in the labor force as people with disabilities are more likely to be unemployed and less likely to have opportunities to work. In this Brain Bite Break, meet people with disabilities, understand how they're an asset to the workplace, and how accommodating people with disabilities can help contribute to their success and create a more inclusive workplace.
Objectives
- Learn how to interact with people with disabilities in the workplace.
- Hear directly from a panel of employees with disabilities who will share their work experiences.
- Know where to find resources to create an inclusive work environment for the disability community, including the SHRM Foundation's Employing Abilities @Work initiative.
Kathryn Carroll, Esq.
Kathryn Carroll (she/her/hers) is a lawyer currently based in Albany, NY. She has a B.A. in International Studies from American University and a J.D. from St. John’s University. She has worked extensively in disability rights policy-making and analysis at the international, national, state, and local levels. She works for the Association on Aging in New York and as an independent contractor to other non-profits. She loves acquiring new skills, has probably not yet seen whatever latest TV show you are thinking of, and enjoys organizing among poor and disabled people. She volunteers in numerous ways, including recently becoming a Mentor with the Disability EmpowHer Network. She is extremely grateful for all of the laughs provided by Spongebob Squarepants and Adventure Time!
Nathaniel Feingold
Nathaniel Feingold is a data analyst focusing on reporting, analytics, and application access management for health services with special needs. In his spare time, he likes to go hiking, workout, and go to baseball games with his friends.
LaRaven Gaymom
LaRaven Gaymon is a 24 year old old recent college graduate, born and raised in the District Of Columbia. Her passion is fighting for equity for people with disabilities in every facet of life. In her words, "The disabled community is one of the biggest populations and I refuse to let us be forgotten about. My major in criminal justice has made me want to fight even harder than before because I can’t stand any form of injustice whether it is disability-related or not (although as previously mentioned, disability injustice is a huge tackle point for me)." Currently, she works as an Intern at the Department of Forensic Sciences. In her spare time, she loves eating chicken burritos and shopping for more clothes that she doesn't need.
Leslie Gold, Esq.
Leslie Gold is a Knowledge Management Attorney at the law firm Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP in New York City.
Caitlin Mosholder
Caitlin Mosholder is a Physical Education & Health teacher at the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf in Pittsburgh, PA and an avid rock climber.
Allie Segal
Allie Segal is autistic and has ADHD. She is 26 years old and has worked in the outdoor retail and climbing gym industry on and off for the last 7 years. She has recently gone back to school and is now studying apparel design and merchandising at Colorado State University. She is a lifelong lover of crafts and am currently learning how to weave!
Andreas Urdina
Andreas Urdina lives in Maryland. He currently is a waiter and has worked previously at a grocery store. He likes to run, read and watch films.
Paul Khouri
Paul Khouri's mission is to improve accessibility for people with disabilities locally, nationally, and internationally through providing businesses with information and resources that they can use.
