6 episodes
Disability and Inclusion in the Workplace Eric Pines
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- Education
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5.0 • 3 Ratings
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According to the World Health Organization, 1.6 billion people in the world presently have a significant disability. That’s around 1 in 6 people living with a medical condition that potentially affects their ability to perform the essential functions of their position if they are members of the workforce.[1] Disabled employees often face obstacles that prevent them from performing their desired or obtained job completely. When working without proper accommodation, it also reduces their productivity in the workforce, harming their employers. Sadly, a significant number of employers and job opportunities fail to adequately accommodate them, resulting in a substantial gap in productivity or inability to work at all. This not only hinders businesses from accessing the finest talents but deprives disabled individuals of the most fitting career prospects that align with their abilities.
Discover solutions on Disability Inclusion and Accommodation in the Workplace, a podcast uniting disabled individuals, employers, HR officers, and legal experts. This podcast is the ultimate guide to advocating for accessibility. Empower yourself to assert your needs and let your employers provide the necessary support to enhance your productivity, regardless of personal difficulties. Empower your business by assisting your disabled employees with accommodations they need for a productive work environment. For employers, consider this a guide to creating an inclusive workplace where all feel welcome. Learn to make employees comfortable and valued while ensuring compliance with employment laws.
Gain insights from industry leaders in the United States and worldwide as they share inclusive approaches implemented in their professional setups. This show delves into the crucial role of HR officers in shaping workplace culture; enhance your knowledge of creating an inclusive hiring and onboarding process. Explore the most effective approaches to attract and recruit talented individuals with disabilities for your team. This podcast caters to lawyers who specialize or work on legal matters related to workplace compliance. Keep abreast of the most recent updates and changes in corporate and business law that impact disabled employees.
Esteemed host Eric Pines brings a wealth of experience as a labor and employment attorney. His practice focuses on representing United States federal employees who require reasonable accommodation and/or disability retirement. Mr. Pines is in-house counsel for the largest federal employee labor union representing employees at the Social Security Administration, the V.A., and all other federal agencies. With a strong background in collective bargaining, fighting disability discrimination under the ADA/Rehabilitation Act of 1973, assisting with reasonable accommodation, mediation and dispute resolution, Eric possesses exceptional skills to navigate the intricacies of workplace dynamics.
What distinguishes Eric is his professional expertise and his personal connections. Having close family members with disabilities, he is driven by a profound passion to empower employees and employers in fostering inclusive workplaces. Eric believes in providing people with the opportunity to showcase their abilities and thrive in a fair and fulfilling work environment. Eric draws from his expertise as a Federal Employee Mediator at the Library of Congress, ensuring well-rounded, captivating, and enlightening discussions.
It is crucial to create a workplace environment free from discrimination and belittlement towards disabled employees. They demonstrate that their circumstances do not hinder them from pursuing fulfilling careers or contributing valuable skills. They exhibit remarkable talents and abilities, defeating significant challenges in life while undoing social barriers and overcoming career obstacles. Listen to Disability Inclusion in the Workplace at www.pinesfederal.com.
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The Fight For Inclusion And Accessibility For The Blind With Tom Babinski
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
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RightHear: A Wayfinding Tool For The Sight-Impaired With Idan Meir
Promoting digital inclusion ensures that everyone, regardless of background or ability, has equitable access to the vast opportunities and resources the digital world has to offer. In this episode, Eric Pines interviews Idan Meir, the Co-Founder and CEO of RightHear, a wayfinding app that allows sight-impaired and those who struggle to read with dyslexia or similar disabilities to find their way around the world. The application is free and easily accessible on your smartphone, available for download on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Companies can embrace this transformative technology with minimal investment, as the app effectively replaces traditional braille, adapting to the evolving technological landscape of our society. Join us as we delve into the innovation and societal impact of this remarkable tool.
Check out more of our stuff at our website: https://www.pinesfederal.com/
Learn More Here: https://www.right-hear.com/ -
Helping People See Using Electronic Eyewear With Aaron Tutwiler
Are you suffering from a visual impairment? Today, Aaron Tutwiler, the CEO of eSight Corporation, introduces what their electronic eyewear can do for you. eSight is a company that produces high-tech wearable glasses that allow vision-impaired as well as legally blind people to see. This amazing technology can accommodate people who would otherwise be unable to be part of the workforce and work in the job of their preference. eSight has since grown to become the leading sight enhancement platform, led by an executive team with the vision to do more.
Check out more of our stuff on our website: https://www.pinesfederal.com/
Learn More at: https://www.esighteyewear.com/
The Travelers Gift: Andy Andrews: (https://www.amazon.com/Travelers-Gift-Andy-Andrews/dp/0785273220) -
Wheel The World: Running A Disability Focused Travel Agency With Alvaro Silberstein
Accommodation for persons with disability is not something that is currently mainstream in the travel and tourism industry. But innovative individuals are starting to push the envelope in this area. Wheel the World is a disability focused travel agency that has allowed more than 2,500 travelers to have accessible travel experiences in +150 destinations worldwide since its inception in 2018. In this episode, we interview Alvaro Silberstein, a Chilean entrepreneur, public speaker, and passionate disability advocate and the co-founder of Wheel the World. The agency serves as an online marketplace for people with disabilities to plan and book accessible trips. Alvaro experienced first-hand the importance of creating inclusivity and accessibility in travel, tourism and hospitality after a car accident left him paralyzed as a teenager. In 2016, he became the first person to complete the Patagonia W trek by wheelchair – a feat which inspired him to launch Wheel the World and connect travelers with incredible accessible experiences. Alvaro works closely with hospitality businesses and destinations to offer fully accessible travel experiences. He has also served as an advisor to the Chilean government in developing a national strategy for the social inclusion of people with disabilities in Chile. Alvaro shares his background and experiences from his injury that changed his life, his time studying business at UC Berkeley, and how he has changed the world for disabled travelers.
Check out more of our stuff at our website: https://www.pinesfederal.com/
Learn More at: https://wheeltheworld.com/
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Accommodating Contractors And Freelancers Not Covered By The ADA With Kit Huffman of Seneca Agency
In this interview, we delve into the insights of Kit Huffman, a dynamic transformational leader and the proprietor of the Seneca Agency, which specializes in cultivating professionals’ online presence by strategically promoting their brands on social media and other platforms. Seneca employs freelancers, and this discussion focuses on how to accommodate and act inclusively with your freelance or contractor employees who suffer from disabilities and are not covered by the ADA. It also discusses neurodivergent disabilities and how to be compassionate to assist with needed accommodations. Kit's insights offer a roadmap for businesses seeking to champion inclusivity and create spaces where every individual, regardless of ability, can thrive.
Check out more of our stuff at our website: https://www.pinesfederal.com/
Learn more at: https://kithuffman.com/
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Improving Accessibility For The Blind With Be My Eyes App, Interview With Eric Thomas Of Genesys
In this episode of "Disability, Inclusion, and Accommodation in the Workplace," host Eric Pines interviews Eric Thomas, the Global Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer at Genesys. Genesys is a global leader in cloud customer experience and contact center solutions. Eric Thomas discusses his role in fostering inclusive practices across the company, which serves nearly 7,000 employees worldwide. He highlights initiatives like partnering with "Be My Eyes," an app designed to aid visually impaired individuals. This application integrates with Genesys's services to enable call center agents to assist blind or visually impaired customers in real-time, enhancing accessibility and consumer engagement. The conversation also delves into the broader implications of such technologies in the workplace and the importance of inclusive employment practices. The podcast offers insights into how technology and corporate responsibility intersect to create more inclusive environments for employees and customers alike.
Learn more of at our website: https://www.pinesfederal.com/
Learn More about Genesys at: https://www.genesys.com/company/leadership/eric-thomas
Customer Reviews
Really Interesting Interviews
I like the concept of this podcast featuring real people from different backgrounds covering different topics. I love to explore different podcasts while I’m working and this is one I’ve added to my list!
Great Podcast
Eric Pines does a great job breaking down barriers for those with disabilities in thwe workplace and has great resources for them in every episode!
Great Podcast
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