Breaking Barriers: Embracing Disabilities in the Workforce is a TV special highlighting workers with disabilities, and how employers can tap this underutilized talent pool to diversify their workforces while addressing worker shortages.
"Breaking Barriers: Embracing Disabilities in the Workforce," hosted by Hari Sreenivasan, explores the intersection of disabilities and the American workforce through in-depth discussions with seven distinguished experts in two engaging roundtable conversations.
In the first roundtable, focusing on technology's role, experts like Taryn Mackenzie Williams, Hiren Shukla, and Matt Ater discuss how employers are promoting diversity and ensuring technology accessibility, from job applications to daily tasks. They also delve into neurodiversity, including autism and ADHD, highlighting these individuals' contributions to innovation and problem-solving.
Personal stories such as Andrew's, a job seeker with Muscular Dystrophy, underscore ongoing challenges in workforce access. Panelists advocate for systemic changes in recruitment, employer attitudes, and policies to foster an inclusive work environment.
The second roundtable addresses disability employment and Social Security Disability benefits, featuring panelists Heather Dicks, Beth Keeton, Ilond Zombil Tshipau, and Katie Hearn. They tackle issues like income thresholds affecting essential benefits and advocate for improved support systems such as the Work Incentive Program Assistance (WIPA), which helps manage benefits while pursuing careers. The panel emphasizes the importance of breaking down barriers, promoting workplace inclusion, and adapting to the demands of digital skills.
Overall, "Breaking Barriers: Embracing Disabilities in the Workforce" advocates for leveraging technology and inclusive practices to tap into the untapped potential of a diverse workforce for sustainable economic growth, ensuring that work remains financially viable without compromising essential support.
