Understanding Invisible Disabilities: Creating Inclusive Workplaces for All

Join host Betsy Cerulo in a heartfelt conversation with Lynn Lafy, HR Consulting Team Lead at Adnet, and Sydney Blondell, Administrative Coordinator and indie author. In this powerful episode, they dive deep into the world of invisible disabilities, exploring the challenges and misconceptions individuals face in the workplace and beyond. Learn how education, compassion, and flexibility are crucial in creating workplaces where everyone, regardless of disability visibility, feels seen, valued, and empowered to thrive.

Key Timestamps:

• (00:00) Introduction: Unveiling invisible disabilities and their impact.
• (01:32) Defining invisible disabilities: Perspectives from Lynn and Sydney.
• (02:45) Common reactions and misconceptions about invisible disabilities.
• (06:00) Navigating stress and managing health within the workplace.
• (10:42) Why education and awareness about disabilities matter in all communities.
• (12:32) Addressing ableism and advocating effectively in everyday interactions.
• (16:00) The importance of workplace flexibility and compassionate leadership.
• (18:57) Overcoming the stigma around mental health and disability at work.
• (22:30) Empowering workplaces: actionable steps for inclusivity and support.

Key Takeaways:

• Visibility & Understanding: Invisible disabilities, though unseen, significantly impact individuals' daily lives and require increased societal awareness.
• Education & Advocacy: Educating oneself and advocating against ableism can profoundly impact community perceptions and behaviors.
• Workplace Flexibility: Compassionate, flexible leadership supports disabled employees' well-being, enhancing productivity and workplace satisfaction.
• Empathy and Inclusion: Genuine curiosity and compassionate engagement foster inclusivity, reducing stigma and empowering individuals.

Resources & Links:

• Room at the Table Podcast
• Explore Sydney Blondell’s books and learn about her advocacy work for disability representation.The Stars in My Heart 

About the Guest:

Sydney Blondell is a queer and disabled author, best known for her book The Stars in My Heart – an OwnVoices disability representation YA trilogy. She holds two bachelor's degrees in English and Professional Writing from Bridgewater College. Sydney is also the Administrative Coordinator at AdNet.

Lynn Lafy has spent her career specializing in Human Resources in industries such as oil, roofing, and now staffing. Lynn previously worked with AdNet in the late 1990’s in an operations role and now serves as AdNet’s HR Consulting Team Lead. Lynn has dealt with chronic illnesses for most of her life, and it is a passion of hers to ensure the disabled community is being fairly treated in the workplace.

Tags:

Invisible Disabilities, Workplace Inclusivity, Ableism, Advocacy, Mental Health, Compassionate Leadership, Education, Empathy, Disability Representation, Flexible Workplaces, Lynn Lafy, Sydney Blondell, Betsy Cerulo, Adnet, Room at the Table Podcast, Heart centered workplace, Workplace culture, Equality, Leadership, Inclusive Workplaces, Social Impact