In this episode of Work in Progress, I've brought together a group of experts to discuss the challenges faced by people with disabilities in finding meaningful employment, advancing in their careers, and the importance of creating inclusive workplaces. The discussion centers on how disclosing a disability and seeking a reasonable accommodation can be a difficult decision, one that has a profound impact.

“Progress has been made, but certainly not enough has been done,” says Wendi Safstrom, president of the SHRM Foundation – addressing the fears and misconceptions that employers may have about hiring individuals with disabilities.

She notes, “The more we can get HR professionals to learn and listen to one another in terms of some of the opportunities that they've had getting people [with disabilities] into their organizations and some of the great experiences they've had working with individuals who have disabilities, I think are a great way to really amplify that particular message. That's why we're continue to be committed to this kind of work across all of our untapped pools of talent.”

In this episode, you'll hear from:

Kirk Adams, Ph.D., managing director, Innovative Impact, LLC

Everette Bacon, VP of blind initiatives, Aira

Deb Dagit, president and consultant, Deb Dagit Diversity

Sam Estoesta, project manager with a social innovation specialization, TD Bank

Scott Hoesman, CEO and founder, inQUEST Consulting

Becky Kekula, senior director of the Disability Equality Index, Disability:IN

Wendi Safstrom, president, SHRM Foundation

You can listen to the podcast here, or download and listen wherever you get your podcasts. You can also find it our Work in Progress YouTube channel.

Episode 308: A Discussion Around the Decision to Disclose a Disability at WorkHost & Executive Producer: Ramona Schindelheim, Editor-in-Chief, WorkingNationProducer: Larry BuhlTheme Music: Composed by Lee Rosevere and licensed under CC by 4Transcript: Download the transcript for this episode hereWork in Progress Podcast: Catch up on previous episodes here