Blaise Bryant talks about the NYS legislature not advancing disability employment priorities this legislative session. He also explores the barriers for advancing progress and how this can change. June 4th 2026

Presently, New York State is in a state of inertia when it comes to eliminating subminimum wage for individuals with disabilities. This inactivity has increased in the past six months the number of individuals with disabilities from 400 to 1400 that are working below minimum wage. Assemblymember Phil Steck is the leading voice in the Assembly, trying to eliminate subminimum wage for individuals with disabilities. Unfortunately, other political leaders are caught in a state of inertia.

Blaise Bryant, as stated on LinkedIn, is a communicator, podcaster, advocate, voiceover artist, digital accessibility consultant, and Dad. Blaise joins Disability in the Public Square on Global Accessibility Awareness Day, WCAG 2.1 and what more we can do on accessibility.

Disability in the Public Square take a look at the "R-Word" and the use in today's society. A quick Google search shows you how often famous people are using the word and the implications for all of us.

How is disability represented in society today? With over 20% of the world's population is individuals with disabilities, 20% of media coverage is not about people with disabilities. John Robinson and Blaise Bryant will discuss and reflect with humor and opinion what's going on today.

From a new economy taking place in Colorado Springs, we discuss 'the efforts of Tony and Beth Feltman, co-owners of RM Soap Market and STORY by RM.'  Additionally, we look at New York State, Senator Patricia Fahey, and introducing new legislation to create a Disability Innovation Fund. 

Our Ability builds partnerships for October's National Disability Employment Awareness Month. This project is a national joint effort between Our Ability, HERCJobs, AHEAD, and DREAM. Our goal is to celebrate young professionals with disabilities and encourage the successful launch of their careers. 

 We are looking for first-person accounts from young people and allies. The videos will be shared via social media with the hashtags #MyDisabilityStory. 

Bryan Acton of Peraton joins John Robinson on the Our Ability podcast. In recent trainings we've provided, we see solid resume building (and LinkedIn profile) as essential. Applicant tracking systems are not grabbing resumes that do not have the proper information. Our candidates are being denied at the first step, and so we want to talk about the importance of a strong résumé.

Bryan Acton is a proud U.S. Marine Corps and Army veteran who has built a career dedicated to empowering others in their professional journeys. His military service instilled in him a strong foundation of leadership, adaptability, and mission success—qualities he now applies in the civilian sector. As Peraton’s SkillBridge Program Manager and Military & Veterans Program Leader, Bryan develops and leads initiatives that support transitioning service members, military spouses, veterans, and candidates of all backgrounds.

With extensive expertise in talent acquisition and workforce development, Bryan specializes in helping individuals refine their resumes, conduct effective self-assessments, and prepare for interviews with confidence. He also leverages social media initiatives to strengthen professional branding and expand opportunities for job seekers. Passionate about connecting people with meaningful careers, Bryan is committed to translating experience into success and driving long-term professional growth.

John Robinson and Dylan MacQuiod discuss the latest collaborative efforts to eliminate subminimum wage on New York State for People with Disabilities.

Dylan MacQuoid is currently the Legislative Director for Assemblymember Phil Steck, who represents Colonie, Latham, Menands, and parts of the town of Guilderland and the City of Schenectady. Dylan graduated from St. John Fisher College in 2020 with a double major in Political Science and Communications. He is currently getting his Masters Degree in Communications from the Newhouse School at Syracuse University.
 
John Crazy Socks interview

Bill Link - A1006b

Alex Thompson is the Director of Advocacy at the New York Association on Independent Living. Alex and John discuss issues in New York State today that pertain to people with disabilities and our independence. From budget constraints, the elimination of some federal regulations, and New York's own CDPAP mess, we discuss the changes today and what might be done for tomorrow.

Alex serves as a board member of the United Spinal Hudson Valley Chapter and Empire State Society of Association Executives. Alex is a graduate of Bucknell University and St. John’s University School of Law.

Our Ability Podcast talks Generative AI and disability today.

Kartik Sawhney is Our Ability's Senior Manager, Technology and Product . Kartik is a disability advocate and technologist who has not let his disability prove an impediment in the pursuit of his personal and professional goals and has done substantial work in empowering other people with disabilities to be successful tech professionals. As the first blind student to pursue science education in high school in India, he advocated for change in rules that now allow all blind students across the country to pursue sciences in high school.