“You don’t need to make the Paralympics your whole life in order to be worthy. Just do it because you love it.” Leah Kaplan’s journey from an orphanage in China to an adaptive athlete proves that resilience and self-acceptance fuel success. In this episode, Leah shares how humor, advocacy, and a relentless spirit help her push boundaries and inspire the next generation.
“We all have barriers, but the real challenge is how we choose to face them. Adapt, advocate, and never back down.” In this episode, Alycia Anderson dives into the power of inclusion, resilience, and breaking societal limitations with Leah Kaplan. Whether it’s in the workplace or daily life, this conversation proves that accessibility isn’t just a checkbox—it’s a game-changer.
The new administration’s inaugural address signals shifts that threaten progress for people with disabilities, including DEI rollbacks, restrictive gender policies, in-person work mandates, aviation accessibility challenges, and withdrawal from the WHO. These actions risk eroding hard-fought disability rights and equity. The disability community must unite, remain vigilant, and advocate for inclusion and accessibility to preserve and advance progress under this administration.
Leaving the World Health Organization (WHO) undermines U.S. leadership in global health equity, pandemic preparedness, and disability inclusion. As the leading contributor, America’s investments fostered goodwill, trust, and global cooperation. Withdrawal risks isolating the U.S., reducing access to critical disability-related resources like assistive technologies and inclusive healthcare policies, while weakening pandemic preparedness. This decision threatens progress for people with disabilities both domestically and worldwide.
The executive order aimed at reforming federal hiring practices threatens disability inclusion in both government and private sectors. By prioritizing merit-based hiring without addressing the unique barriers faced by disabled individuals, this policy risks further marginalizing them in employment opportunities. The shift away from affirmative action and diversity initiatives could deepen ableism and limit the ability of people with disabilities to access fair and equal job opportunities.
Decades of air travel mistreatment for people with disabilities saw progress under the Biden administration with fines, regulations, and DEI initiatives enhancing accessibility and accountability. However, recent actions by the Trump administration roll back these gains, labeling disability-inclusive FAA hiring as “illegal” and prioritizing ableist rhetoric over inclusivity. Only two of over 80 recent aviation actions address disability, risking accessibility and safety advancements for disabled travelers.
The new administration’s return-to-in-person work mandate threatens progress in disability employment achieved through remote opportunities. Remote work, embraced during the pandemic, provided accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities, breaking barriers in employment. By eliminating flexibility, this policy risks reversing gains and creating inequities, leaving many to wonder: will the government prioritize inclusion or leave people with disabilities behind?
The new administration’s executive order invokes ADA rights while targeting gender ideology extremism, raising concerns for marginalized groups. With limited mention of disability rights, this order prompts questions about the administration’s plans for people with disabilities. An attack on one marginalized group affects us all, emphasizing the need for solidarity and vigilance in protecting hard-won progress toward inclusion and equality.
In this episode of Pushing Forward with Alycia, Alycia Anderson interviews Chantelle Johnson, founder of Talent4dCulture, about leadership, inclusion, and workplace transformation. Chantelle shares her journey from corporate HR to entrepreneurship, offering insights on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), sustaining Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), and navigating challenges. She previews her upcoming book, “Sustaining ERG Impact,” and provides practical advice for leaders striving to create thriving, inclusive workplaces.
In this episode of Pushing Forward with Alycia, host Alycia Anderson interviews Chantelle Johnson, founder of Talent4dCulture, about her transition from corporate HR to entrepreneurship. They discuss strategies for fostering inclusive workplace cultures, the significance of data-driven approaches in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), and sustaining Employee Resource Groups (ERGs). Chantelle also shares insights from her upcoming book, “Sustaining ERG Impact: 12 Months to Lead with Purpose, Recharge with Power.”
