AS:031 International Women’s Day - Inspire Inclusion

Intro: 00:02

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 rules and indeed passion for creating inclusive environments, Linda brings us unmatched expertise and credibility to our discussions. Join us as we explore the 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 investments 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, breakdown 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: 01:02

Hello everyone, and thank you for joining this episode of the Accessibility Solutions podcast. This is a special episode in honor of International Women's Day on March the eighth. And this year, the theme for International Women's Day is Inspire Inclusion, which for persons with disabilities is something that we aspire to promote all the time that is inspiring inclusion. But I think the intersection this year of International Women's Day and the inspire inclusion at the, is nice to see the intersection of both International Women's Day and inclusion. Because let's face it, there are a number of women who are persons with disabilities want to be included in everyday lives as well. So when we inspire others to understand and value women's inclusion, and we forge a better world. And when women themselves are inspired to be included, there's a sense of belonging, relevance and empowerment. This is also true for persons with disabilities. So collectively, if we forge a more inclusive world for everyone, including women and persons with disabilities, then we really are inspiring inclusion. The theme for International Women's Day, when we really reflect on what inspire and inclusion means, it means that we celebrate diversity and empowerment. And for women and for persons with disabilities. Celebrating the diversity and empowering both women and especially women with disabilities really is, to me, a theme that we should all brace not just on International Women's Day, but, but on, you know, everyday, 365 days a year. International Women's Day is a global Celebration of the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women each year. This day serves as a powerful reminder of the progress made towards gender Equality and highlights the work that still needs to be done. This year, the campaign theme and pop Inspire Inclusion emphasizes the importance of diversity and empowerment in all aspects of society.

Linda: 03:30

This year, the campaign theme underscores the crucial role of inclusion in achieving gender Equality. It calls for action to break down barriers, challenge stereotypes, and create an environment where all women are valued and respected. Inspire Inclusion encourages everyone to recognize the unique perspectives and contributions of women from all walks of life, including those from marginalized communities, which would include women with disabilities. One of the key pillars of Inspire Inclusion is the promotion of diversity in leadership and decision making positions. I myself as an elected city councilor really feel like not only a man who is also a woman with a disability. Then to see myself or others to see me in that kind of leadership role really does inspire others, not only other women to become involved in politics, but also persons with disabilities to become involved in leadership roles in their community. So women, especially belonging to those in under-represented groups, such as persons with disabilities, continue to face barriers when seeking leadership roles. So by championing inclusion, organizations and communities can harness the full potential of diverse perspectives leading to better decision making and innovation.

Linda: 05:17

Education, and awareness play vital roles in fostering inclusion and empowering women. Through initiatives such as membership, mentorship programs, educational workshops, and advocacy campaigns, individuals and organizations can create opportunities for women to thrive. By providing support and resources, women can be empowered to overcome obstacles and achieve their full potential. The entertainment industry, particularly film, has a significant influence on shaping societal perceptions and attitudes. In line with the Inspire Inclusion theme, filmmakers have a unique opportunity to promote diversity and representation on screen. By telling diverse stories and showcasing the experience of women from diverse backgrounds, filmmakers can inspire audiences and change existing stereotypes.

Linda: 05:47

The entertainment industry, particularly film, has a significant influence on shaping societal perceptions and attitudes. In line with the Inspire Inclusion theme, filmmakers have a unique opportunity to promote diversity and representation on screen. By telling diverse stories and showcasing the experience of women from diverse backgrounds, filmmakers can inspire audiences and change existing stereotypes. In recent years, there has been a growing movement within the film industry to prioritize inclusion and representation. However, there is still much work to be done to ensure that women from all backgrounds have equal opportunities to participate and succeed in the industry. By supporting and amplifying the voices of female filmmakers, we can create a more inclusive and representative synonymic landscape.

Linda: 06:49

As we celebrate International Women's Day this year and reflect on the theme of and Inspire Inclusion, let us reaffirm our commitment to creating a world where all women are empowered, valued, and included. By working together to break down barriers and foster diversity, we can build a more equitable and inclusive society for generations to come. The theme this year, really, I think can, could be a theme for International Women's Day, but I think it's a theme that as a society, inspiring inclusion just speaks to allowing not just women but persons from that are marginalized, including persons with disabilities, to be included and to be active and engaged members of their community where they can contribute a diverse perspective that is important for us to embrace.

Linda: 07:50

And on that note, I want to wish everyone a happy International Women's Day, and for you to reflect on the theme, what does "inspire inclusion" mean for you? And to not just think about inspiring inclusion on one day of the year being the theme of International Women's Day, but to think about as inspiring inclusion from the standpoint of whenever we are thinking about, and to reflect on inspire inclusion whenever we are making decisions or thinking about the potential to put people into either leadership roles or from a hiring perspective. And let's just be a more inclusive society all the way around. On that note until next time, thank you for joining me and cheers.

Outro: 08:52

Thank you for joining us on the Accessibility Solutions podcast hosted by Linda Hunt. 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. That's No.4. So solutions four accessibility dot 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.