Navigating Inclusion and Accessibility in Life and Business with Erin Perkins - Episode 13

Inclusion and Advocacy from a Parent's Perspective: The Inclusive Dad

In this episode of the Inclusive Dad podcast, host AAron interviews Erin Perkins, a deafblind accessibility strategist, who shares her personal journey navigating life with dual sensory impairments. The conversation explores challenges in accessing support, from inconsistent educational accommodations to barriers in public venues like concerts. Erin emphasizes the importance of self-advocacy and offers practical steps for businesses to improve accessibility, from websites to social media. The discussion highlights empathy as a key tool for inclusivity and addresses common misconceptions about visible and invisible disabilities, aiming to empower people with disabilities.

Key Takeaways:

Inconsistent Support: Disability support varies greatly based on location and individual circumstances.

Self-Advocacy: Learning to advocate for yourself in corporate settings is vital but often learned through experience.

Concert Accessibility: Obtaining accessible concert tickets is complex and varies by venue.

Accessibility Tools: Accessibility tools like hearing aids and cochlear implants are aids, not solutions; communication access is key.

Empathy in Inclusion: Empathy, including listening without judgment, is crucial for making the world more inclusive.

Erin’s definition of inclusion:

Everyone can participate or be part of something no matter what they identify as. We all may crave some normalcy. However Normal is the opposite of diversity. But diversity is what makes the world amazing! It’s what makes creativity possible.

Erin’s Bio:

Erin Perkins is deafblind, but you might not notice at first glance. She relies on a hearing aid and cochlear implant for hearing, without which she's profoundly deaf. Her vision is limited to 50 degrees, so if she doesn't wave back when you do, it's likely she didn't see or hear you.

Working with independent business owners, coaches, and mentors opened her eyes to the widespread lack of accessibility awareness. This led her to focus on accessibility education.

Erin is passionate about teaching businesses to be more accessible, using her personal experiences to promote true inclusion at every level. Her mission is to make the world more accessible, one business at a time.

Connect with Erin:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MabelyQ

Instagram: https://instagram.com/mabely_q

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erineperkins/

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@mabely_q

Website: https://www.mabelyq.com/

SPAM© Count:

Host:

Yes

Current Guest:

Hasn’t tried it

Cumulative Guest Stats:

Yes - 4

No - 6

Hasn’t tried it - 1

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