Disability Inclusion and Accommodation in the Workplace Eric Pines

In this episode of "Disability Inclusion and Accommodation in the Workplace," host Eric Pines, a seasoned attorney with over two decades of experience, engages in a compelling conversation with Amanda McDonald, co-founder of Unbound Disability Claims. Amanda shares her personal journey with severe PTSD and how it fueled her passion for helping others navigate the complex Social Security disability system.
Unbound Disability Claims assists applicants with Social Security disability applications, appeals, and post-entitlement issues, striving to reduce the average two-year wait time for approvals. Amanda's innovative platform, inspired by TurboTax, simplifies the application process through guided online interviews and comprehensive evidence collection, boasting an impressive 89% approval rate.
Amanda’s story highlights the significant challenges and systemic issues within the disability claims process. Her dedication to transforming her hardships into a mission to support others is both inspiring and instructive. This episode delves into the intricacies of Social Security disability evaluations, the differences between federal employee disability retirement and Social Security disability, and the broader implications for creating inclusive work environments.
Listeners are encouraged to reflect on the insights shared and consider how they can contribute to fostering inclusivity and understanding within their workplaces. For more information and to access valuable resources, visit Pines Federal.
Books Discussed in the Episode: 
Go for No Mindset: The New Psychology of Success

In this episode of "Disability Inclusion and Accommodation in the Workplace," host Eric Pines engages in a compelling discussion with Ted Drake, the Global Accessibility Leader at Intuit. Ted shares his journey into accessibility, starting from his early days in web development, where making websites accessible was a key requirement, to his impactful roles at Yahoo and Intuit. He emphasizes the importance of building products that cater to the needs of people with disabilities and how involving customers in the design process leads to better, more inclusive solutions.
Ted explains the concept of accessibility in digital products, describing features like reduced motion for individuals with vestibular disabilities and how Intuit has open-sourced solutions to help other developers create accessible experiences. He also talks about the significance of understanding and respecting user preferences in accessibility, and how modern devices have built-in features to support diverse needs.
Throughout the conversation, Ted underscores the transformative power of inclusive design and the ongoing efforts to create environments that are welcoming and accommodating for everyone. He shares insights into his work with various accessibility initiatives, including his involvement with TechnoLawmakers and the development of innovative solutions for people with disabilities.
Eric Pines and Ted Drake discuss the legal aspects of accessibility, the role of reasonable accommodations in the workplace, and the importance of intersectionality in understanding and addressing the unique challenges faced by individuals with multiple marginalized identities.
This episode is a valuable resource for employers, HR professionals, and anyone interested in creating inclusive workplaces that empower individuals with disabilities to thrive. Tune in to gain insights and practical tips on fostering a more inclusive and equitable work environment.
Learn More Here: www.pinesfederal.com 

In this episode of "Disability Inclusion and Accommodation in the Workplace," host Eric Pines welcomes Katey Treloar, an independent executive function coach. Eric Pines, an attorney with over 20 years of experience, specializes in representing federal employees with disabilities. Together, they explore the essential role of executive function skills in fostering inclusivity in professional settings.
Key Discussion Points:
Understanding Executive Function Skills: Katey explains the importance of executive function skills such as organization, goal-directed persistence, working memory, task initiation, and prioritization. Supporting Neurodiverse Individuals: Katey shares her approach to coaching clients with ADHD, autism, and other learning disabilities, focusing on building effective strategies for success at home and in the workplace. Coaching for All Ages: While Katey’s personal focus is on college students and working professionals, she highlights the availability of coaching for individuals of all ages, including children. Overcoming Barriers: Eric and Katey discuss the spectrum of disabilities, emphasizing the importance of a comprehensive support system that includes coaching, academic tutoring, life coaching, medication, and therapy. Implementing Reasonable Accommodations: Practical advice is given on how employers can support employees with disabilities through reasonable accommodations and coaching, creating a more inclusive and supportive work environment. Notable Quotes:
"We can give them very small goals with manageable steps and scaffold those until they become a habit." – Katey Treloar "It's important to identify struggles and capitalize on superpowers to help individuals be successful." – Katey Treloar Resources Mentioned:
Atomic Habits https://a.co/d/1fDNPWn
Percy Jackson Series: https://a.co/d/f4oofgT
ADHD Rewired Podcast: https://www.adhdrewired.com/podcast/
Neurotribes: https://a.co/d/dtOsQaI
https://www.efcsessions.com/
Read about Katy Here: https://medium.com/authority-magazine/disability-inclusion-in-the-workplace-katey-treloar-of-executive-function-coaching-on-how-5a8ddaab8a7f
Join Eric and Katey for an enlightening conversation on how to create empowered and welcoming professional settings for all employees. This episode is packed with valuable insights for business owners, employers, HR officers, and individuals seeking to foster growth and success irrespective of their challenges.
Tune in to be part of the transformative movement towards inclusivity. Keep listening to more episodes at PinesFederal.com for valuable insights and resources to break down barriers and end workplace discrimination.
 

Join this episode where Eric Pines interviews Dr. Valeriana Colón, who stands boldly at the intersection of information technology and cultural emotional intelligence. Author of Do You Think Differently, Dr. Colón seamlessly fuses her extensive expertise as a seasoned business executive and academic with an unwavering dedication to cultivating innovation and harnessing the transformative potential of neurodiversity in information technology solutioning. Tune in as we explore how neurodiversity can be strengths in the workplace, and how teams that leverage this variety of strengths can achieve incredible results. We also look into the concept of “complementary skills” – how pairing someone who excels at deep focus with someone who thrives in fast-paced environments can lead to well-rounded and successful teams. Discover the hidden potential within your team today!
Content Mentioned in the podcast: 
Supercommunicators book: https://a.co/d/9ytQfPA
Nate Silvers: The Signal and the Noise https://a.co/d/0Cmudty
https://connectcentric.com/
Learn more at: www.pinesfederal.com 
 

Have you ever considered the healthcare challenges faced by employees with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD)? Join Eric Pines in this episode, where he dives deep into this often-overlooked topic with Dr. Craig Escudé, the president of IntellectAbility and a champion for health equity in the IDD community. Dr. Escudé shares his powerful journey from family physician to advocate, highlighting the gaps in healthcare knowledge and support for people with IDD. He discusses the importance of recognizing the individual behind the disability and the transformative power of person-centered care. Be inspired by Dr. Escudé’s dedication and the resilience of the IDD community. Tune in and be part of the movement towards a more inclusive and equitable workplace for all!
Learn More at: https://replacingrisk.com/
V=TO learn More about Eric visit: https://www.pinesfederal.com/ 
 

Organizations all over the world and across all industries and sectors still have a lot of catching up to do when it comes to being truly inclusive and accessible to people with disabilities. Today’s guest has spent the past 25 years and counting trying to make that happen, especially for the blind and visually impaired. Tom Babinski strongly believes that inclusivity and accessibility should be a default state. Nevertheless, he recognizes the limitations of the reality on the ground and the role of accommodation in reducing barriers. Tune in as Tom shares his powerful story that led him to this honorable advocacy!
Check out more of our stuff at our website: https://www.pinesfederal.com/
Learn More Here: Evengrounds.com