Basically Blind

It is one thing to include a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Accessibility (DEIA) statement on your website, but for a company to truly be inclusive, they need to walk the walk. One of the first ways to show people your values is in the recruiting and interview process. Avery breaks down what improvements can be made in each step of the process. DEIA needs to be prioritized at the very beginning when the job description is being written to when the final hiring decision is being made.

Everyone is making resolutions this time of year, but few people stick to them. Avery shares why she prefers to make goals rather than resolutions, what she hopes to work on this year, how she identified what she wanted to focus on, and her tactics to successfully achieve these goals.

New Year's is always a time for reflection and setting goals. With 2022 around the corner, it is important to take in all the accomplishments and growth over the past year. Avery reflects on 2021 and the changes in her health, career, and personal life.

Happy Holidays! This time of year offers so many holiday movies to get you in a festive mood. Avery invites Cam on the podcast to discuss The Family Stone. The marketing for this movie made you think this was lighthearted when it is actually dealing with some heavy subjects. Avery and Cam reset the expectation and dive into some of the more cringe-worthy scenes around historically marginalized identities and the reoccurring themes of making assumptions and the need for control.

Moving through life with low vision has plenty of challenges, but it isn't all bad. Avery acknowledges this truth and shares some of the "perks" of being legally blind. Many of these positives are accommodations or services provided through the state but not all.

Recently there has been a surge of content online where people share how they have "blind privilege". Avery shares her thoughts on the trend and clarifies what privilege is. She also goes into the importance of understanding how accommodations are necessary for equity.

It's the holiday season, and that means gift-giving g. Avery is joined once again by Andrea and they offer up great gift ideas for really anyone on your list but highlight good and bad gifts for someone with a visual or hearing impairment. Keep in mind, everyone is different, and the key to giving a great gift is choosing something that specific person will love.

It is easy to recognize and condemn overt acts of racism, but subtle and persistent racism is just as damaging. In Such a Fun Age, the author shows the variety of ways people can experience and display racist behavior. Having read the book twice, Avery shares her main takeaways. The book demonstrates how intent doesn't matter as much as impact, how people will accept what reinforces their narrative and reject what doesn't, and how all people are flawed (even when they don't think they are).

brands that put a priority on diversity and inclusion stand out from the pack.  More and more consumers are looking for companies that stand for something. Avery shares some of her favorite inclusive brands and why they resonate with her. This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to brands that stand for something and don't alienate others.

Brands mentioned:

• American Eagle
• Fenty Beauty
• Humanrace
• Haus
• Rare Beauty

Some people chose to have kids, and others don't. It is a very personal decision, and it can be an even more complicated decision if you have a disability. Avery has her husband and partner, Cameron, on the podcast to discuss having kids. They talk through the pressures of society, the pros, the cons, and the personal guilt you can battle if you have a disability and are thinking about having kids.