AS:017 Hope without Sight

Speaker 0:02

Welcome to the accessibility solutions podcast hosted by Linda Hunt, an award winning accessibility consultant, speaker and author. With over 30 years experience in senior management roles and a deep passion for creating inclusive environments. Linda brings us unmatched expertise and credibility to our discussions join us as they explore transformative power of accessibility and inclusion in today's world. Through captivating conversations, Linda shares her wealth of knowledge provides practical solutions and sheds light on the latest trends and advancements in the field. Whether you're a business owner or disability advocate, or simply curious about the world of accessibility, this podcast is your go to resource. Get ready to unlock new perspectives, break down barriers and embark on a journey of empowerment. Are you ready to create a more inclusive world? Let's begin. Welcome to the accessibility solutions podcast.

Linda 1:03

We're talking with Saylor Cooper today, and Saylor is a guest on our podcast and we're going to talk about, Saylor's gonna talk about his disability and how he encounters barriers in his life and how businesses could certainly improve their bottom line by being more accessible to Saylor. So Saylor, I'm gonna let you take it away. And you can tell us about your disability and the barriers that you encounter. And we will kind of go from there in our discussion.

Saylor 1:35

All right, Linda. Yeah, thank you. Thank you for having me on your show. Yeah, my name is Saylor Cooper. I'm also a podcaster. And a business owner starting to build my business. It takes time, but I'm kicking it out. I figure it out. Yes. As you mentioned, I do have a disability, I am blind. And of course, being blind, I do face a lot of challenges and failures. And I know I have to figure out a way to overcome them. But one of the biggest problems that a blind population are facing is employment, it's very difficult for us to find employment for various reasons. A lot of it is lack of education. Employers don't understand and don't believe that we're capable, when indeed we truly are. And therefore there's a lot of unnecessary discrimination that goes on. And I believe there just needs to be more just more education and just more improvements in that area.

Linda 2:27

Yes, and I could really speak to that. I mean, We are currently facing a labor shortage for across the board. So businesses are seeking employees, because they need to be able to produce their products or keep their restaurants open or keep their phone lines active or whatever. And they don't have employees to be able to do that. And yet, yet, if they just considered the benefits of hiring persons with disabilities, absolutely all that to fill that gap in the labor market and the labor shortage would not be nearly as tight as it is right now. And that's one of the things that accessibility solutions when we're dealing with businesses, we promote inclusive hiring practices and how businesses can improve their bottom line by hiring persons with disabilities. It's, as you said, a win win because persons with disabilities are unfairly discriminated against in the employment market. And yeah, persons with disabilities have so much to offer to the employer.

Saylor 3:35

I mean, they may have to do things slightly different, but mean doesn't mean that you don't have any strengths or weaknesses or anything. In fact, some can do even better than the average person.

Linda 3:48

I personally myself, know a blind lawyer, I know a blind accountant. I mean, with technology, there are ways for persons with disabilities, whether it be blind, whether it be deaf, or me, I have a physical disability, but there are certainly ways for with disabilities to be actively involved in the workforce, for sure. That would be as I said, a win win for everyone. And the case of businesses would really improve their bottom line if they were able to, like you mentioned it's education. So there's that attitude, no barrier, that somehow persons with disabilities would not be effective employees within an organization. And that's something that really a myth that really needs to be dispelled, because that is not at all the truth.

Saylor 4:33

No, it's not the truth at all. Because I mean, I've been turned down for various jobs. And in fact, earlier in June, I was wrongfully terminated from a part time job because they just weren't willing to accommodate me and provide my food. Whenever they end. I could do the job there, which is why I'm happy. I'm starting my own business if someone else doesn't want to hire me, however, fortunately, I do have a part time job making cell calls, making appointments for different clients and companies and beyond. And in fact, he has mostly blind people. And he started this company, largely because my supervisor who I'm working with she tried to work at another company that's very similar that operates very similarly. And she was discriminated. So Fiona thought, Okay, I'll start a company myself. And so I'm thankful to have at least something called time aside good for now developing my business.

Linda 5:27

And I'm glad to hear that you're also trying out entrepreneurship. That's also an area that I've done some work in over the years have been getting people with disabilities employed through self employment. Oh, yeah, the services that they can offer. So Saylor, we're just gonna wrap up. But I think our message is clear that both you and I agree that there are significant barriers to persons with disabilities and that businesses can improve their bottom line by being able to not only employ persons with disabilities, but also ensure that their business is able to serve people with disabilities and be welcoming to people with disabilities. Yeah, we do have spending power and accessibility is good for business, it opens yourself up to 22% of the population that has a disability. If your business is able to be welcoming to people with disabilities, then that's going to improve your business's bottom line.

Saylor 6:26

And they show that not only I want to talk employment, I mean, we face 7 millions, like not having access to transportation costs, we don't drive yet, hopefully, the self driving cars. It's a work in progress that hopefully we're gonna get there, you know. All right.

Linda 6:41

All right.Well, thank you, Saylor. And we will wrap up there. And I want to thank our listeners for joining us this week, Saylor's contact information, if you'd like to reach out to him, is available in the show notes, and we will talk to you again next week. Cheers.

Saylor 6:53

Awesome.

Speaker 6:57

Thank you for joining us on The Accessibility Solutions podcast hosted by Linda Hind. We hope these discussions have inspired you and provided valuable insights into the world of accessibility and inclusion. If you're ready to take the next steps in creating an accessible and inclusive environment. We invite you to book a personalized accessibility solutions consultation with Linda as an experienced accessibility consultant Linda will work closely with you to develop innovative solutions tailored to your unique needs and challenges. Together you'll navigate the complexities of accessibility regulations, explore inclusive design principles and implement practical strategies to ensure equal access for all Don't miss this opportunity to make a real difference visit our website at solutions for accessibility.com And that's the number four so solutions for accessibility.com schedule your consultation today let's transform your space into an inclusive and welcoming environment for everyone. Thanks again for listening to the accessibility solutions podcast. Stay tuned for more empowering episodes as we continue our journey towards a more accessible world.