Sara Gullihur-Bradford’s Post

🖐 High Five: Key Moments to Consider Accessibility with Shay Erlich 🖐 In today's High Five, Shay Erlich joins Heather Kelly to share insights and key moments to consider accessibility in project and program planning. Shay Erlich is a disability justice world builder and champion of disability inclusion in the arts and media sector. They are an artist, producer, journalist, accessibility consultant, wheelchair dancer, and founder of Ready For Access, a disability experience firm specializing in professional development and bespoke access solutions for organizations, events and digital products. High Five is a weekly series for arts leaders and creative entrepreneurs where Heather Kelly features special guest experts and thought leaders to share five actionable tips, insights, or sparks of inspiration. Watch the full episode of High Five: https://ow.ly/WOMu50UagPo 📸 Video 1: Courtesy of Akimbo & Heather Kelly [Video Description: A clip from High Five. Heather and Shay both look into their own cameras. Shay speaks to the camera while Heather listens. The captions are in an orange stripe at the centre of the frame, splitting the two camera views.]

Odyssey Global Media is proud to partner with the EBU In Action series, which is co-funded by the European Union. EBU in Action: Social Media - Difficulties and Opportunities for Disability Organisations Although social media platforms bring some accessibility challenges with themselves, disability organisations can also benefit of their outreach to promote their commitments. We learn more about the pros and cons of these platforms with Natalia Suárez (European Disability Forum) and Ville Lamminen (Finnish Federation of the Visually Impaired). In this episode we also speak to Madeleine McNamara, from Vision Ireland, who tells us more about our Irish Member' actions in key areas such as healthcare, mobility and sports.  To listen click on the icons at : https://lnkd.in/d_HMU64t #EBUinAction #EuropeanBlindUnion #EuropeanUnion #odysseyglobalmedia #podcast

Less than 24hrs until the first Op Nexus event launches. I want to keep this post short and sweet, and give clear instructions on how YOU can help. We don’t want funding, we don’t want time, we want to raise awareness. ‘58% of gay individuals feel scared and uncomfortable to hold hands in public’. Spread the word no matter how you do it. Whether you share, like this post, follow Op Nexus on instagram, or tell people this fact. We should all be able to love without fear. I should be able to love without fear! ‘Strength through vulnerability, progression through action, united in inclusivity’ https://lnkd.in/eSFXZ9Se

Today is the International Day of People with Disability! We recently sat down with Inclusive Educator and Consultant Charlotte ‘Chuck’ Gruman, who has spent the past few months in Sydney working with various organisations to improve accessibility in the arts. Chuck has been working with us on tactile models of The Neilson Nutshell and The Seed, which will be available to patrons at our events and performances. These models help patrons who are blind or have low vision to understand the layout of a space before they enter it (but can be used by everyone!). Stay tuned to find out more about Chuck’s work with us, including the incredible models she has created.

Everybody deserves to be who they are. Unfortunately, all spaces are not safe or deserving of who you are. Yet, sometimes hiding some parts of your identity feels disingenuous. When it doesn't seem safe or appropriate to let people know who I am, I find alignment in sharing what I do. Ex: I may not always feel safe sharing that I'm a disability advocate. So instead, I share that one of my greatest accomplishments was advocating for the installation of communication boards in a community park and school to create a more inclusive and accessible environment. It's a win-win situation. I'm able to share an aspect of my personal and professional identity in a manner that doesn't stifle who I am or put me in danger. We'll cover tips like this and more in my upcoming virtual workshop on mastering your professional bio for use in podcasts, blog posts, conference programs, and more. Link to register is in the comments. Image Description: Flyer with purple and yellow tones. Within the flyer is a photo of a hand using a pen to write the word "identity".

We recently had a fascinating conversation with Dana Charlton on the latest episode of Nick Speaks, and it got us thinking about what real empowerment looks like. Dana shared how the Ohio Self Determination Association (OSDA) has trained over 1,500 individuals with disabilities since 2010, helping them find their voice and speak up in ways that demand to be heard. In a world where advocacy often feels like it's just a buzzword, Dana's work cuts through the noise. It's not just about speaking up; it's about speaking up effectively. Why is it that we still need to train people to have confidence in their own voices? Maybe it's because society isn't listening as much as it should. This episode challenges the status quo and asks us to reconsider how we define advocacy. Is it just a checkbox for your organization's DEI program, or is it a genuine, relentless effort to amplify voices that need to be heard? Listen to the full episode to explore how we can all be better allies and advocates.

Check out this weeks episode https://lnkd.in/eS2hMR-R

Tomorrow, we release our episode featuring guest JD Murgolo. We delve into the societal expectations of gender roles and how these expectations often lead to insensitivity, particularly towards stay-at-home fathers, who are frequently treated as "others."

The Evolution of Accessibility in Transportation: A Conversation with Ron Brooks Ron Brooks, currently Senior Director of Policy and Stakeholder engagement with Uzurv and founder of Accessible avenue, is “a self-proclaimed ‘kid with low vision’ turned disability advocate”. He has dedicated his career to championing accessible transportation. This journey, marked by personal experiences and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by people with disabilities, has led him to become a prominent voice in the industry. Reflecting on the past 25 years, Brooks notes the transformative power of technology. "I remember when I got my first mobile phone, our smartphone, I should say. And you know, nowadays my phone has more on it than my first eight computers combined." Brooks emphasizes the concept of "frictionless access," highlighting the desire for people with disabilities to "go where they want to go, when they want to go, without having to put in a great deal of drama and effort." This vision underscores the need for transportation systems and technologies that seamlessly integrate into the lives of people with disabilities. With the emergence of companies like User, a transportation network company akin to Uber or Lyft but tailored for paratransit services, Brooks sees a future where accessible transportation is more readily available and personalized. "User primarily works with transit agencies. So the drivers are credentialed, meaning that they are screened and they complete training." Brooks acknowledges the ongoing efforts required to achieve truly accessible transportation. He stresses the importance of continued innovation, collaboration between stakeholders, and the need for communities to invest in and support accessible transit solutions. "I think you're going to see more engagement with those companies around what we in the industry cuff, first last mile pilots or first last mile services." Ron Brooks's insights provide a compelling glimpse into the evolving landscape of accessible transportation. His personal journey, coupled with his deep understanding of the industry, make him a valuable thought leader in the quest for frictionless access and autonomy for people with disabilities. Listen to the full Access Matters Season 2 Episode 6 Episode: