brettapproved

Excited to have a fun, open, honest dialogue tomorrow during my Disability Inclusion in the Workplace presentation with the awesome team members, candidates and clients who are .

We’re gonna have a blast!

I had a blast this week in Vancouver, Washington presenting at DMA West’s annual conference.

We discussed ways destinations can be accessible, open and welcoming to travelers with disabilities. After all, we spend more than $55B annually on travel. So we’re anything but a niche market.

It’s always fun presenting with Alison Brooks (right) from . Tracy Farhad (center) was an excellent moderator.

I’d like to thank everyone at DMA West for the opportunity to share my perspective on accessible travel. I look forward to presenting again next year!

— Brett

With the Paralympic Games underway in Tokyo, I wanted to share the article below. Did you know that there are approximately 1.2B people in the world living with a disability?

Too often society is seen as an “us” vs. “them” type of zero-sum game. I prefer the pronoun, WE. It’s much more powerful. For example, consider this sentence: As a society, WE can no longer ignore and push to the margins, people with disabilities. WE, can, and must do better. — Brett

'WeThe15' stresses rights of 1.2 billion with disabilities TOKYO (AP) — The opening next week of the Paralympic Games in Tokyo is being used as a stage to launch a human-rights movement aimed at the world’s 1.2 billion people with disabilities. The campaign is called “WeThe15”and gets its name from World Health Organization estimates that persons wi...

The article below is a great read. We’ve come a long way, but we must continue fighting for our rights. I hope that the COVID norms discussed in the piece are here to stay.

Many of them are at least starting, in a very small way, to level the playing field in terms of people w/ disabilities in the workplace.

I am extremely passionate about employment for people w/ disabilities. I will continue to do everything in my power to help us succeed!

Happy

— Brett

COVID-19 showed digital accessibility is critical. Advocates don't want you to forget As more people get vaccinated and the world reopens, experts say remote work, virtual events and e-commerce sites should still cater to people with disabilities.

I really enjoy teaching and working with young people. I admire their collective energy, enthusiasm and passion as it relates to truly making a difference in our world.

I’m currently working with students from Arizona State University who are tackling the challenges associated with creating a truly accessible, universally designed hotel room.

Please take and share their survey.

— Brett

INNOVATION SPACE So far, the design of hotel room has seen a lack of consideration towards those with disabilities. Around 26% of adults in the United States live with some type of disability. POTHOS Project is a student led project through Arizona State University, seeking to update the hotel by combining two innov...

I thought this was pretty cool of my alma mater to do. Heck, I might even take the course. I think it’s important to challenge ourselves and learn new things. Go Bucks!

Ohio State University opens Swift coding program to the public | AppleInsider Ohio State University is making a certificate program that teaches students to code and build App Store apps available to the public.

Today we pause to reflect and remember a true hero. Thank you, Dr. King.

I realize I’m a day late here but in my defense, I’m still basking in my Buckeyes’ victory over Clemson last night in the College Football Playoff semifinal. 😊

Like it has for so many, 2020 nearly broke me. But despite its best efforts, I’m still here; still fighting for equality and justice not only for people with disabilities but for anyone society is intent on pushing to the margins.

I believe 2021 will still present lots of challenges but I also believe that things will get better for those of us who are hurting. After all, without optimism, what do we have? Nothing I suspect.

With that said, I wish everyone a happy, healthy and safe 2021 full of experiences that with the passage of time become treasured memories. Happy New Year!
— Brett

Wishing everyone who celebrates Christmas a happy and healthy holiday. And don’t forget to get to bed early ... the big guy’s en route!

Merry Christmas!
— Brett

I wish everyone who celebrates Hanukkah a safe season of happinesses, love and light. Three essential elements of life that for far too many of us, have been missing in 2020.
— Brett

The United Nations has declared today, December 3, 2020 “International Day of Persons with Disabilities.”

As a younger man, I would have glossed over this without much thought. Today, thanks to a maturity that only the passage of time provides, I am proud to celebrate with members of my community.

For too long having a disability has been synonymous with invisibility. I’m committed to doing whatever I can to help my community move forward and put the saying “Nothing about us, without us” into practice from a public policy and employment standpoint.

I certainly wish my body moved and functioned differently but it doesn’t and that’s okay.

My existence doesn’t require explanation or justification. I’m here, living my life to the best of my ability, physical circumstances be damned.

Am I perfect? Absolutely not. Do I handle every situation with the grace it requires? Nope. But like all of us, I believe my flaws and mistakes make me, well, me.

In fact, my flaws and mistakes make me just like my able bodied friends, family members and colleagues ... a perfectly, imperfect work in progress.

While my physical disability and the challenges that come with it, must be acknowledged and never minimized, my situation, does not, and will never, define me.

I leave you with a moment of levity ... a picture of my favorite person with a disability. 😂
— Brett

I think this picture sums it up. Have a fantastic long weekend and be safe. — Brett