Our Ability Podcast

What happens when a personal challenge leads to an unexpected entrepreneurial opportunity? This episode highlights Drew Davis, founder of Stacked Hot Sauce, a disability-owned business that grew from a school project into a million dollar brand. We discuss Drew's story of entrepreneurship, perseverance, and building a company that openly embraces its disability identity.  John and Blaise discuss the role consumers, retailers, and supplier diversity programs can play in supporting disability-owned businesses. See the links below for more information:Stacked SaucesLimitless Foundation

Recent changes to Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act have removed the seven percent workforce benchmark, disability self-identification requirements, and related reporting requirements for federal contractors and subcontractors. In this episode of Disability in the Public Square, John provides context on how the benchmark influenced disability recruitment, workplace disclosure, and employer practices. Ann reviews the federal government's recent changes, while Blaise shares his perspective as a disability advocate. Together, they explore what these changes could mean for employers, workers, and people with disabilities and what may come next for disability employment policy.

This episode of Disability in the Public Square explores entrepreneurship as a potential and often necessary pathway for people with disabilities facing barriers to traditional employment. John discusses what the true unemployment rate is for those with disabilities, and the importance of contracting opportunities for disability-owned businesses. John considers the ways organizations, government agencies, and allies could support their growth. The episode also features the story of Colette Divitto, founder of Colettey's Cookies, who built a successful cookie business after encountering difficulties finding employment. Her experiences show that entrepreneurship became a necessity after she was repeatedly overlooked and rejected from previous jobs.

In this episode, John shares his experience learning to drive and reflects on how access to adaptive technology shaped his work and daily life. The conversation also explores mobility equipment for wheelchair and scooter users, including vehicle lifts and ramps, driving controls, equipment selection, maintenance, insurance coverage, and potential financial resources. Listeners will also hear about the role of occupational therapists and assistive technology specialists in evaluating mobility and driving needs. The episode offers personal perspective alongside practical information for people exploring adaptive driving and mobility options.

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act is now overseen by the Health and Human Services Department. Listen to hear John's thoughts regarding this change.

What happens when a program designed to expand employment opportunities for people with disabilities becomes permanent?In this episode of Disability in the Public Square, John Robinson takes a closer look at New York's Preferred Source Program, recognizing the important opportunities it creates while raising questions about accountability, funding, and the future of disability employment.Should the program be permanent, or should it continue to face independent review every three years? And what could happen if more of its resources were reinvested into expanding employment opportunities?Listen as John explores these questions- and why he believes we can do so much more.Nonprofit ramps up efforts to expand NY disabled workers programhttps://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/132841179Preferred Sources | Office of General ServicesCL-624 2026 07 Preferred Source Program Announcements | Office of General Services

Today we will tell you the story of Camp Simcha, an adaptive summer camp in Upstate New York. John and Blaise will comment on their experiences with summer camp and why attending is so important.

 John explains why Florida's new state budget may not be enough to meet the growing need for home and community-based support. He explores what shrinking federal support could mean for state and local governments, disability organizations, families, and the people who rely on these essential services. 

Today on Disability in the Public Square, Ann breaks down the Trump administration's June 2026 legal opinion. John shares his perspective on the opinion and explores its potential implications for disability rights.

Today on Disability in the Public Square, you'll hear a story about Cory Lee, and his advocacy for accessible travel. John will discuss his participation in sports and reflects on witnessing the Paralympics. 

On this episode, John shares information and his perspective on disability owned businesses, contracts and loans. We also discuss Eric Street, an entrepreneur who started a successful and unique business following a severe stroke. 

Today, we discuss the Americans with Disabilities Act, its recent anniversary, what changes were made, and what work still needs to be accomplished to help the disabled community. We also introduce Annie Burdick, an occupational therapy student and intern at Our Ability. 

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.

Our Ability takes a look at what candidates are saying and the job search. Individuals with disabilities tend to be 70% underemployed, and are seeking assistance. Some of our responses to these concerns.

Today, we reflect on where we are presently as individuals with disabilities worldwide, and where we can continue to make inclusion improvements around the planet.My biggest thought today is that we should celebrate the everyday people with disabilities who are trying to become educated, employed, or entrepreneurs to live the lives we want to live.

After a series of webinars conducted by Syracuse University on digital accessibility, we decided to bring this to our podcast audience. Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act and its moving parts have real ramifications come April 2026. Local, county, city, and state agencies must be aware that their web pages, documents and applications must all be compliant to digital accessibility. Our Ability will create an accessible pathway for agencies, universities, and businesses looking beyond compliance and into the future of accessibility.

Are we living in 1935 Germany? Are we striving for the best 2035 America? People with disabilities are at a crossroads after this November election. There is discussion that federal dollars will be eliminated, and that will have a direct and indirect impact on the 40 million individuals with disabilities in the United States. What can we do to discuss? What can we do to build employment? How do we avoid further institutionalization of individuals with disabilities?

Human Resources Professional, Director MNYSC (Metro New York and Southern Connecticut HERC (The Higher Education Recruitment Consortium) Karen Fife talks to John Robinson about disability recruiting and inclusion. Karen is an accomplished and dynamic human resources professional with significant background in strategic staffing, compensation and budget planning, and performance and talent management.Our Ability has worked with HERC for a number of years to expand employment and the employment conversation within higher education. 

John Robinson discusses ableism in America during an election season, Donald Trump, and the ignorant president—Kamala Harris meeting with the disability community and where we going beyond 2024.

David D'Arcangelo and John Robinson talk about unification through Disability Employment. David is dedicated to assisting organizations in achieving their disability inclusion and diversity objectives. They have a comprehensive range of services including disability consulting, professional writing, content creation, public speaking, and campaign strategy. Arc Angel Communications and Our Ability are Disability Owned Business Enterprises. 

John Robinson and Neil talk about disability and accessibility, worldwide. Neil Milliken is the Global Head of Accessibility & Digital Inclusion at Atos, a member of the Atos Scientific Community & Atos Distinguished Expert.Neil is a leading strategist and community builder with over two decades of experience within the Accessibility and Assistive Technology fields and served as an invited expert for the W3C Cognitive Accessibility Taskforce

Our Ability has a long-standing relationship with Albany Medical Center. Over the years, Albany Med has supported our Journey Along the Erie Canal, a hand cycle trip to support individuals with disabilities in upstate New York. As we have grown our employment outreach throughout New York State, Albany Med has come on board to support our work, most importantly, sourcing candidates. Sandra "Sandy" Castilla represents Albany Med, and we have an open and enjoyable conversation.   Castilla is Vice President for Human Resources and Chief Human Resources Officer for the Albany Med Health System. Castilla joined Albany Medical Center in 2005 as the Associate Director of Compensation and Benefits. She was subsequently promoted to Director of Human Resources, Assistant Vice President of Human Resources, and then Vice President. In her role, Castilla oversees benefits, compensation, and human resources management. She leads the team responsible for executing retention and recruitment strategies for clinical departments and non-clinical business departments. Along with her extensive experience in the healthcare sector, Castilla has held human resources leadership roles in the finance, manufacturing, and gaming industries. Castilla holds a bachelor's degree in Industrial and Labor Relations from the State University of New York at Potsdam and a master's degree in Business and Public Management from the State 

Our Ability is proud to talk disability inclusion with friend Victor Calise. As Director of Global Diversity, Accessibility Center of Excellence on the Belonging Team Victor spearheads disability inclusion and accessibility into every aspect of the company from infrastructure to employment, to the shopping experience.  A native New Yorker, Victor is an internationally recognized diversity inclusion champion. An avid athlete, he was a member of the first U.S. national sled hockey team and represented his country at the 1998 Paralympic Games in Nagano, Japan. He is married to his beautiful wife Susan, and they have two daughters.

Linda Zhao is a purpose-driven HR professional with experience in various functional areas such as talent management, operations, diversity & inclusion (EEO) and administration. Linda has strong creative problem-solving, organizational, and communication skills with the ability to prioritize and multi-task.In our conversation, we talk about Pfizer, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and how disability is part of this equation.

A reflection on where we are with the New York State budget and direct care workers. Plus a discussion on New York State efforts on digital accessibility. Finally a rant about the death of DEI.  Taylor Swift and DEI are under the skin of the far-right media.

Mai Ling Chan has dedicated her career to supporting disabilities and serving the community of people and businesses who focus on the disability community. As a speech-language pathologist, Mai Ling has worked to support communication in all forms. As an industry historian and entrepreneur, Mai Ling has chronicled, guided, mentored, connected, and supported hundreds of thought leaders, as they follow their own paths to create products, services, and offerings that change lives.Learn directly from amazing disability-focused thought leaders in her Amazon Kindle BookBecoming an Exceptional Leader https://bit.ly/becomingexceptionalbook 

Wikipedia says 'Caroline Casey is an Irish activist and management consultant.' And so much more.... Caroline Casey is also a friend of Our Ability Inc.  In late-2023, John Robinson interviewed Caroline for an entrepreneurship class for students with disabilities through Syracuse University.As Our Ability looks at DEI in 2024, we share this interview as a guiding light on the importance of leadership in starting a business with DEI purpose.Enjoy! 

In 2024, the Our Ability Podcast, will look at diversity, equity, inclusion, and disability in our society. We will interview leaders, entrepreneurs, practitioners, and friends, to discuss disability, diversity, equity, and inclusion in 2024. In this episode, John Robinson discusses the lack of DEI in 2023 and what we can do, after seeing a bumper sticker "Biden is a Piece of Shit."

Stephen Kuusisto directs BBI's Interdisciplinary Programs and Outreach initiative. A University Professor at Syracuse, he is the author of the memoirs Planet of the Blind (a New York Times “Notable Book of the Year”). A graduate of the Iowa Writer's Workshop and a Fulbright Scholar, he has taught at the University of Iowa, Hobart & William Smith Colleges, and The Ohio State University.We talk to Steve after years of friendship and discuss ableism, entrepreneurship, and poetry.

Judith Heumann is a pioneer in the disability community and was called a "Badass" by the Washington Post.  The disability community needs more badasses!  It's a great honor that we were able to share 30 minutes discussing disability and the human experience. Judy recently published her autobiography Being Heumann: an Unrepentant Memoir of a Disability Rights Activist is featured in Crip Camp and wrote a self-described children's book titled Rolling Warrior.  We discuss the books, friendships, and what ableism means in today's world.

In the second part, we continue to explore aging with a disability.Doug Hamlin and Lynne Nicolson discuss physical therapy and aging with a disability. Doug Hamlin is an author, former business owner, consultant, and philanthropist. Doug is a quadriplegic from an injury nearly 40 years ago. Lynne is a physiatrist with Sunnyview Rehabilitation Hospital in Schenectady New York.

In our second episode of disability in the human experience, Doug Hamlin and Lynne Nicolson discuss physical therapy and aging with a disability. Doug Hamlin is an author, former business owner, consultant, and philanthropist. Doug is a quadriplegic from an injury nearly 40 years ago. Lynne is a physiatrist with Sunnyview Rehabilitation Hospital in Schenectady New York.This is the first of two parts: part one explores the original injury and some of the thoughts towards rehabilitation. In the second part, we will explore aging with a disability.

Jenna McClosky the outreach coordinator for New York ABLE. Together we discussed the human experience of disability in relation to financial needs, the New York ABLE account and where we're going in the next five yearsThe NY ABLE Program is a tax-advantaged savings program for individuals with disabilities and their families to save for their current or long-term needs while maintaining their ability to benefit from federal benefits programs such as SSI, SSDI, and Medicaid. Our program offers multiple investment options including a checking account and debit card option allowing individuals with disabilities to maintain their independence and have quick and easy access to their own money.

Our Ability talks to the “Your Dream, Your Team” group! Yourdreamyourteam.com is a website designed to be used by anyone and everyone who cares about the education, career, and financial outcomes of young people who have disabilities. It shows job seekers with disabilities how to turn people they trust into a team that supports them along their career journey and puts them in charge. It has everything they need to manage their team, including recommendations on who to invite, what to talk about, and when to meet. It also provides tools that other members of the team (parents, teachers, case manager, bosses…) can use to help keep the team person-centered and focused on career outcomes.The collaborative work group of the following organizations who created the Your Dream, Your Team website included staff from Change Impact, CDO Workforce, Hempstead Works, and Tompkins Workforce New York.  insight, guidance, and content came from an even longer list of amazing contributors from organizations like the New York State Department of Labor, Adult Career and Continuing Education Services-Vocational Rehabilitation (ACCES-VR), New York State Office of Children and Family Services, New York State Commission for the Blind, New York State Developmental Disabilities Planning Council, New York State Office of Mental Health, New York State Council on Children and Families, New York Alliance for Inclusion and Innovation, and New York State Business Leadership Network. Full acknowledgements are available online–the list of people to thank is huge! It was funded 100% through a U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration grant. The total cost of the Disability Employment Initiative Round 8 program is 2.5 million dollars.

Timothy A. Clune Esq. joins John Robinson on the March 26, 2021 Our Ability Podcast. Tim became the Executive Director of Disability Rights New York on April 1, 2013. Currently DRNY has a staff of approximately 70, with offices in Albany, Brooklyn and Rochester, New York. In this episode, we discussed that individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities were three times more likely to contract COVID and three times more likely to die from Covid in 2020 in New York State. We discussed an agreement between the United States Department of Justice and Amtrak on inaccessibility as well as mental health at the forefront of legislative needs.For more information directly from the report: (Page 4 second pp of Ex Sum) This Report highlights the disparate impacts COVID-19 has had on individuals with I/DD residing in congregate care settings, specifically group homes certified by the New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (“OPWDD”). People with I/DD in group homes are three times more likely to contract COVID-19 and three times more likely to die from it compared to the general population of New York. From the Systems in Crisis Report: Quote from Tim from Press Release “This report provides the framework for much needed conversations with communities and responding agencies to address the real issues facing our families and neighbors when in a mental health crisis. For far too long, the response to these calls have put those in need in danger, with fatal outcomes. It is our hope that through this work, there will be real change ensuring the safety and compassionate care of those who need our help.” Timothy A. Clune, Esq., Executive Director DRNY. Amtrak: Amtrak began accepting claims for monetary compensation for people with mobility disabilities who traveled or wanted to travel from or to one of the 78 stations listed below and encountered accessibility issues at the stations. Stations in New York State are Hudson, Plattsburgh and Port Henry, Claims must be submitted by May 29, 2021Online: AmtrakDisabilitySettlement.comEmail: info@AmtrakDisabilitySettlement.comTelephone (toll-free): 1-888-334-6165TTY Telephone (toll-free): 1-866-411-6976

Our Ability talks with Brett Eisenberg from the Bronx Independent Living Services to discuss the agenda in early 2021 including COVID-19, future opportunities and especially Disability Entrepreneurship in New York State!Bronx Independent Living Services (BILS) is a non-profit, community based organization dedicated to empower all people with disabilities to understand and exercise their civil and human rights in order to live fully integrated lives in mainstream society.