Episode 32 - bonus
[Encore] Championing accessibility at work - with Majorie Aunos
In this curated selection from the Happy Space Podcast, I’m bringing back voices that challenge, inspire, and expand our thinking about designing for inclusion and accessibility. These encore episodes highlight conversations that continue to resonate—on neurodiversity, workplace design, and the small shifts that can make a big difference. Whether you’re tuning in for the first time or revisiting a favourite, I hope these episodes offer fresh insight into how thoughtful design can help everyone show up and perform at their best.
If we want our world to be more inclusive, we need to pay close attention to accessibility - the ease with which individuals can participate - at work, at home, and in daily life. Disability consultant Marjorie Aunos shares her highly relevant personal and professional lived experience. We explore what compelled Marj to dedicate her life to supporting adults with intellectual disabilities at a tender 20 years old, what motivated her when she became a paraplegic as a single mom to her 16-month-old son, and how to be a better ally to those who have accessibility challenges.
Marjorie Aunos, Ph.D. is a researcher, speaker, and consultant on accessibility and inclusion. She teaches organizations and educators to solution-find and build environments that are accessible, inclusive, and welcoming to families with disabilities. Marjorie is an internationally award-winning speaker, author of Mom on Wheels: The Power of Purpose as a Paraplegic Parent and contributing author to We Got This: Essays By Disabled Parents. Her TEDx talk “What we can learn from disabled parents” has over 150,000 views.
CHAPTERS
00:03:20 Marjorie's journey
00:08:00 Building support networks
00:14:40 An invitation for greater empathy
00:16:47 Purpose from a young age
00:21:00 What has shifted in recent years?
00:24:30 Visible vs. invisible challenges
00:27:55 How and when to help
00:30:14 Do we treat those with disabilities differently?
00:34:00 Acknowledge the disabled as experts
LINKS
UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
How Can a Watermark be a Human Rights Matter?
Hold That Door…! Opportunities to Improve Accessibility are Closer Than You Think
Remembering Air India Flight 182
What we can learn from parents with disabilities | Marjorie Aunos | TEDxWesternU
IMAGE CREDITS (see images on Youtube video)
Marjorie and Thomas - credit Marjorie Aunos
Accessible space - Envato Elements
Old wheelchair symbol - Wiki Commons
Sunflower lanyard - credit Hidden Disabilities
Ramps in public places - Canva
New wheelchair symbol - Wiki Commons
#dontpushmearound - credit Clare Kumar
Learn more about and follow Marjorie:
😀😃😄😁😆
Highly sensitive executive coach and productivity catalyst, Clare Kumar, explores the intersection of productivity and inclusivity continually asking how can we invite the richest contribution from all. She coaches individuals in sidestepping burnout and cultivating sustainable performance, and inspires leaders to design inclusive performance thereby inviting teams to reach their full potential. As a speaker, Clare mic-drops “thought balms” in keynotes and workshops, whether virtual or in-person. She invites connection through her online community committed to designing sustainable and inclusive performance, the Happy Space Pod. Why? Because everyone deserves a Happy Space.
Believing that productivity is personal, the podcast is produced in a variety of formats so you can enjoy it in the medium you prefer:
Listen to the audio right here or on your fave podcast platform.
If you prefer to watch video, check out the episode on YouTube.
If you prefer to read, please see the transcript below.
Ready to learn more, or want to find out more about coaching with Clare or hiring her for your next engaging event? Contact Clare here.
😀😃😄😁😆
If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a heartfelt review as this will help other listeners discover the podcast. Please invite your colleagues, friends, and family to listen as well. Together we can design a more inclusive world where everyone can make their richest contribution.
Want to learn more about Clare and/or her guests? Follow Clare on Instagram and Twitter.
And don't forget, everyone (including YOU) deserves a Happy Space. 😊
CREDITS
Audio and Video Editing: To Be Reel
Production Assistant: Luis Rodriguez
Song Credit: Cali by WatR. from Pixabay
