AdaptX Podcast
di AdaptX
Amplifying the voice and ideas of individuals who are building accessible businesses, advocating for inclusion, or excelling in adaptive sports.
Episodi del podcast
Ep.#86-Turning Obstacles into New Opportunities with Winston Clements
In this episode of the AdaptX Podcast, host Brendan Aylward speaks with Winston Clements, a keynote speaker and disability advocate. Winston shares his journey from the tech industry to public speaking, discussing the challenges he faced due to his disability, including unconscious bias in hiring processes. He emphasizes the importance of inclusivity in workplaces and offers insights on etiquette when interacting with disabled individuals. Throughout the conversation, Winston highlights the need for understanding and empathy, encouraging listeners to focus on commonalities rather than differences. He also addresses the expectations placed on him as a speaker and his passion for discussing resilience and high performance. In this conversation, Winston Clements shares his experiences navigating life with a disability, focusing on themes of resilience, content creation, and parenting. He discusses the challenges of accessibility, the impact of public perception, and the importance of normalizing the lives of people with disabilities through social media. Winston also reflects on the balance between sharing his family's journey online and protecting their privacy, as well as the lessons he hopes to impart to his daughter about kindness and adaptability. The conversation concludes with insights into healthcare interactions and Winston's aspirations for the future. Takeaways Public speaking became my second career after tech. I wanted to support people with disabilities through my story. Unconscious biases affect how we perceive others. Pigeonholing individuals based on disability is common. Accommodations for disabilities are often inexpensive. Treat disabled individuals like anyone else when meeting them. Inclusivity in hiring processes is crucial for success. Navigating transport systems can be challenging for those with disabilities. Public perception often includes stereotypes that need to be addressed. Balancing public life with family privacy is a continuous challenge. Children can be intuitive and adapt to their parents' needs. Healthcare professionals need to communicate inclusivity to patients with disabilities. Fitness and health are important, even for those with disabilities. Future aspirations include engaging more with the community and sharing messages of resilience. Keywords disability, public speaking, unconscious bias, inclusion, accessibility, hiring process, workplace culture, etiquette, resilience, high performance, disability, resilience, parenting, healthcare, content creation, accessibility, inclusion, family, social media, community
Ep. #85 - Running into the Record Books with Caleb Prewitt
In this episode of the AdaptX podcast, host Brendan Aylward speaks with Caleb Pruitt, a 17-year-old athlete breaking barriers in running and triathlon, and his mother, Karen. They discuss Caleb's journey in sports, the impact of Special Olympics, the challenges of training, and the importance of inclusivity in athletics. Caleb shares his experiences of achieving world records and his aspirations for the future, including upcoming races and his goals beyond sports. The conversation highlights the significance of community support and motivation for individuals with disabilities. Takeaways Caleb started running during the pandemic to stay active. Special Olympics played a crucial role in Caleb's socialization. Caleb enjoys biking the most in triathlons. He is one of the youngest to complete a triathlon. Caleb has set multiple world records in running. Community support is vital for athletes with disabilities. Motivation for individuals with ID often needs to be tangible. Inclusivity in races is essential for all participants. Caleb's journey inspires other families with disabilities. Awareness and training for gym staff can improve inclusivity. Keywords Caleb Pruitt, Special Olympics, triathlon, world records, inclusivity, disabilities, running, motivation, training, community support
Ep.#84- Empowering Education through AI with Adele Smolansky
In this episode of the AdaptX Podcast, Brendan Aylward speaks with Adele Smolansky, founder and CEO of AI Learners, an educational platform designed to support students with disabilities through AI-powered learning tools. Adele shares her personal journey of creating AI Learners, inspired by her sister's challenges during the COVID pandemic. The conversation delves into the importance of customization and engagement in educational tools, the effectiveness of AI in enhancing accessibility, and the ongoing efforts to develop social skills in students post-COVID. They also discuss the challenges of building a sustainable business model in the ed-tech space and the significance of creating inclusive environments in fitness and education. To learn more about Adele and AI-Learners, visit these links, Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adelesmolansky/ Website: https://ai-learners.com/ Takeaways AI Learners focuses on making learning accessible for all abilities. The platform was inspired by personal experiences with disabilities. Customization is key for engaging students with disabilities. Measuring effectiveness involves both qualitative and quantitative data. The platform is subscription-based, charging by the student. Gamification elements are designed to motivate students without pressure. AI Learners serves a wide age range, from 3 to 22 years old. The platform is designed to facilitate lessons beyond just screen time. Accessibility in tech is often an afterthought, but should be prioritized. Building relationships with educators is crucial for outreach and growth. Keywords AI Learners, accessibility, education technology, disabilities, engagement, customization, social skills, digital accessibility, learning outcomes, inclusive fitness
Ep.#83 - Equitable Education and Employment Opportunities for the Disability Community with Danny Combs
Ep.#83 - Equitable Education and Employment Opportunities for the Disability Community with Danny Combs
In this episode of the AdaptX Podcast, host Brendan Aylward speaks with Danny Combs, a leading voice in creating equitable futures for neurodistinct individuals in business and equality of opportunity for the entire disability community. Mr. Combs is the inaugural Director of the Colorado Disability Opportunity Office, Colorado’s senior strategic and policy agency housed in the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, working with the Governor and Lieutenant Governor to help make Colorado the best state in the country for people with disabilities. He is the founder of TACT (Teaching the Autism Community Trades), the state of Colorado’s leading transition to employment and training organization, and the co-founder of the Colorado Neurodiversity Chamber of Commerce, the first neurodiverse chamber in the country. They discuss Danny's personal journey, the importance of a strengths-based approach to neurodiversity, and the evolution of TACT from humble beginnings to a significant nonprofit. The conversation also covers the challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals in the workforce, the establishment of the Colorado Disability Opportunity Office, and the unique initiatives Colorado is implementing to support people with disabilities. Danny emphasizes the need for collaboration among organizations and the importance of creating inclusive environments in various sectors, including fitness. Takeaways Danny's father inspired his passion for inclusion. The diagnosis of autism was initially met with resistance. A strengths-based approach is crucial for neurodivergent individuals. The trades offer valuable opportunities for neurodivergent individuals. Employers often ask the wrong questions in interviews. TACT evolved from a mobile program to a large facility. Funding for nonprofits is often reliant on grants. The Colorado Disability Opportunity Office aims to elevate disability services. Colorado is leading in digital accessibility initiatives. Creating inclusive fitness environments requires staff education. Keywords inclusion, disability advocacy, neurodiversity, TACT, employment, strengths-based approach, trades, Colorado Disability Opportunity Office, fitness accessibility, nonprofit sustainability
Ep.#82 - A Vision for Equal Opportunity in Employment with Tanner Gers
In this conversation, Tanner Gers and Brendan Aylward discuss the importance of accessibility for individuals with disabilities, focusing on employment, training, and the role of digital accessibility. Tanner shares his personal journey of losing his sight and how it led him to create a business aimed at helping others with disabilities find meaningful work. They explore the challenges faced by people with disabilities in the job market, the misconceptions surrounding adaptive sports, and the need for more inclusive practices in the fitness industry. The discussion also touches on the future of digital accessibility and the potential impact of technology on improving accessibility outcomes. To learn more about Tanner and AccessAbility Officer visit these links below: Company Website - https://accessabilityofficer.com/ LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/tannergers/ Takeaways The interview process is crucial for meaningful conversations. The goal is to equalize the unemployment rates for disabled individuals. Changing societal perceptions about disabilities is essential. Employment opportunities should not be given based on disability but on qualifications. Digital accessibility requires thorough testing and reporting. Accessibility overlays can sometimes create more barriers than they solve. The future of digital accessibility will involve more technology integration. Small businesses often face challenges in understanding accessibility compliance. Tanner's entrepreneurial journey is driven by a desire to help others. Hope for recovery and improvement in vision is a powerful motivator. Keywords accessibility, disabilities, inclusion, adaptive sports, digital accessibility, employment, training, entrepreneurship, visual impairment, fitness