Our Ability Podcast

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.

In New York State, advocates for individuals with disabilities come together on many issues. The more we talk about the issues in 2021, the more our government will listen.In this podcast we discuss fair pay for home care, living at home, NYS Office of the Advocate and the effect of subminimum wage on independence. These are all of the issues that we talk about with Lindsay Miller (Executive Director) and Megan Parker (Director of Advocacy) of NYAIL. The New York Association on Independent Living (NYAIL) is a statewide, not-for-profit membership association created by and composed of Independent Living Centers across New York State.

Comptroller DiNapoli has taken a leadership position in the disability inclusion world with hiring, the New York Able Account as well as investment strategies to leverage the ability of individuals with disabilities.Our Ability explores our disability advocacy in New York State and what we may look for in the future with Comptroller Dinapoli.

Steve Towler and Shauna Lozada of AHRC join us on the Our Ability podcast to talk about success stories in New York City with disability employment, how COVID-19 has affected disability employment today and where we can find success tomorrow. In the fall, Our Ability | Disability:IN New York we will be hosting a series of webinars to engage with businesses on disability employment. Please feel free to contact us to join us...

Much like the federal government implementation of Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act in 2014, New York State can follow suit and enact 7% requirements in employment. By implementing hiring levels for state contract holders and state agencies, businesses will look to hire more individuals with disabilities. And, most importantly individuals with disabilities in New York State will see more of our own working, creating larger dreams for all of us to achieve.Susan Scheer of the Institute for Career Development and NYS Assemblymember Harvey Epstein join us in this important conversation

There is an opportunity for individuals with disabilities in New York State to protect certain financial assets. The NY ABLE account is a wonderful opportunity for individuals to save. Jenna McClosky, Outreach Coordinator for NY ABLE and has been with the program for two and a half years. Jenna started with NY State in 2015 and was working in the non-profit field for several years prior to that. Jenna joins us on our podcast for a great conversation. For more information, please feel free to contact us or NY ABLE.

Today, we talk to Jean Mackay of Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor about the inspiration for the 1st Mile Challenge and where it is going in the future. Doug Hamlin and Andrea Robinson share about why we cycle and who inspires us through the years!Since 2013, Journey Along the Erie Canal has grown to include thousands of individuals with disabilities, community leaders, and allies who meet John and his team, cheer them on, and even cycle alongside them.In 2021, John Robinson, CEO of Our Ability, Inc, will handcycle all 360 miles from Buffalo to Albany to raise awareness of the needs of people with disabilities.This year John and his team to invite people with disabilities and their families and friends to join them for the 1st Mile Challenge, as part of the Canalway Challenge.

Stephen Kuusisto and Bob Herz join Our Ability's John Robinson Talking about building an entrepreneur program at Syracuse University for individuals with disabilities. As we know, individuals with disabilities are wonderful problem solver's. Some of those problems can be solved through building new businesses, new technology and what better place than at Syracuse. We explore through our past shared experiences a new vision for entrepreneurship.

Joseph reminds us to stay connected during this time of pandemic and unemployment. Through friendship, technology and self advocate groups we can connect with one another...

Jill Houghton, President and CEO of Disability:IN talks about our national situation with injustice and COVID-19, disability inclusion and the steps forward that Disability:IN are taking with corporate America.

Jonathan Doherty and Randy Bower are wonderful examples of how advocacy and empowerment can build community development and a long-term friendship. A true testament to the spirit of Orleans County and Western New York.For nearly 8 years, we have gotten to know the good people of Orleans County on our hand cycle trip across New York State. There is no better example of the empowerment of individuals with disabilities that we can share.

Kathy DeCenzo talks about her daughter Kassia, a beautiful 7-year-old born with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). TSC is a genetic disorder that causes tumors to form in many different organs, primarily in the brain, eyes, heart, kidney, skin and lungs. The month of May is Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) awareness month.Kathy shares wonderful advice all parents can understand. The important takeaway: inclusion benefits all!

John Robinson, president of Our Ability interviews Owen Robinson. Owen is 16 years old, and has traveled the world with Our Ability. Owen reflects on disability today and tomorrow.