On July 22, 2024, I spoke at the NAIC’s Diversity Leadership Forum, aligning with Disability Pride Month and highlighting my appointment to the California Department of Insurance’s Insurance Diversity Task Force. Appointed by Commissioner Ricardo Lara, I represent persons with disabilities business enterprises. I emphasized Disability Pride Month’s significance, the need for inclusion, and best practices for creating inclusive insurance departments to over 50 state insurance regulators.
On July 19, 2024, Alycia Anderson delivered her “Heart of Inclusion” keynote at The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, celebrating Disability Pride Month. The open and engaging environment allowed employees to share personal stories about disabilities, fostering a sense of value and inclusion. The Port Authority, known for its vital transportation infrastructure, emphasizes diversity, equity, and inclusion, supporting various employee groups and opportunities for diverse individuals and businesses.
Alycia Anderson discusses accessibility in short-term rentals with Adam Norko and Lorraine Woodard from Becoming rentABLE on this week’s episode of “Pushing Forward with Alycia.” They highlight the struggles disabled travelers face and the importance of accessible accommodations. Lorraine shares her inspiration from personal experiences and the need for standardized accessibility features. Success stories underline the positive impact of accessible travel options, emphasizing the industry’s role in creating inclusive and welcoming environments.
Alycia Anderson discusses challenges disabled travelers face finding accessible lodging. She introduces Becoming rentABLE, speaking with founder Lorraine Woodward and hospitality expert Adam Norko. They cover the importance of accessibility features, share success stories, and emphasize the need for industry-wide standards. Lorraine shares her personal inspiration, and Adam provides industry insights, highlighting common barriers and evolving solutions in short-term rentals.
On July 16, 2024, in celebration of Disability Pride Month, Alycia Anderson delivered a keynote titled “The Heart of Inclusion” for Covington & Burling’s Disability and Neurodiversity Firm Resource Group. Addressing allyship, visibility, and accessibility, Anderson highlighted practical steps for fostering workplace inclusion. Her presentation underscored the importance of disability advocacy in the legal profession, contributing to Covington’s commitment to creating an inclusive environment.
The Rollettes Experience is a transformative event empowering women with disabilities through dance. I was honored to return as a speaker and panelist, joined by my twin sister, Regina, and niece, Ella. Leading sessions and witnessing Ella’s inclusion highlighted the event’s unique community spirit. The experience reminded me of childhood memories, underscoring the importance of belonging. Hosted by Chelsie Hill, the event featured dance, panels, and seminars, fostering growth and connection.
I was honored to deliver my keynote address, “The Heart of Inclusion,” at the 2024 NCPEID Annual Conference, which was held virtually on July 11-12. This event provided a fantastic opportunity for APE and APA professionals to connect with experts and learn about evidence-based practices. Engaging in advocacy initiatives and events alongside my fellow professionals was truly inspiring, marking the start of Disability Pride Month.
In episode 55 of “Pushing Forward with Alycia,” Dhaval Patel, the founder and CEO of Lotus discusses his mission to develop technology optimized for disability, inspired by his personal experience with limited mobility. He explains how Lotus, a smart ring that controls home devices without apps or rewiring, makes spaces accessible. Emphasizing human-centered design, Patel shares the iterative development process and the product’s positive reception. The episode highlights the importance of inclusive technology and its broader benefits.
Dhaval Patel, founder of Lotus, discusses his commitment to accessible technology on “Pushing Forward with Alycia.” Inspired by personal mobility challenges, he developed Lotus, a smart ring for controlling home devices without apps or rewiring. Through human-centered design and extensive research, Lotus was created to meet the needs of people with disabilities. The product has received significant accolades and highlights the broader benefits of accessible design for everyone.
Alycia and Marty celebrate the one-year anniversary of the “Pushing Forward with Alycia” podcast, reflecting on their mission to amplify stories from the disability community. They highlight key guests, share impactful listener testimonials, and discuss their goals for inclusivity and empowerment. The episode underscores the podcast’s growth, featuring historic figures, allies, and influencers, and expresses gratitude to supporters and production team members, promising continued advocacy and expansion.
