This week Brian McComak joins Alycia Anderson on her podcast, Pushing Forward with Alycia, to talk about disability in the workplace and finding a place of belonging in DEI. He is the CEO of Hummingbird Humanity, an expert in DEI, HR culture change and employee experience, and an openly gay man with a disability. Brian shares his experiences with mental health, depression, anxiety and the challenges of living with HIV, emphasizing the need to break free from outdated stigmas surrounding HIV, and how ultimately learning to live with his disabilities has enriched his ability to help corporations create workplace environments where all humans thrive.

Transcript of episode 20 of “Pushing Forward with Alycia,” Alycia Anderson talks with Brian McComak, founder of Hummingbird Humanity. They discuss the importance of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in the workplace, mental health awareness, and fostering environments where people can thrive. McComak, a gay man and person living with disabilities, shares his experiences advocating for more human-centered workplaces. He emphasizes the significance of considering employees’ unique needs when crafting well-being programs.

Alycia and Marty share some astounding numbers that look at the barriers faced by people with disabilities in the workplace, and they emphasize the transformative potential of disability inclusion in diversity and inclusion programs, urging companies to recognize the untapped potential of the 80% of unemployed disabled individuals. Alycia’s stories reveal the transformational power of embracing diversity, advocating for inclusion, and turning disability into corporate assets. In honoring National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) Alycia inspires change and pushes forward towards a more inclusive and accessible future.

Title:From Waitress to Workplace Warrior : Alycia’s NDEAM Story Subtitle:Reflecting on NDEAM: Marty turns the tables and interviews Alycia Transcript: Alycia Anderson: Welcome to Pushing Forward with Alycia. A podcast that gives disability a voice. Each week we will explore topics like confidence, ambition, resilience and finding success against all odds. We are creating a … read more… Episode 19 Transcript

In this episode of Pushing Forward, Dani Izzie shares her journey as a mother, entrepreneur, and disability advocate. Living with a spinal cord injury, she navigates life as a wheelchair user and a mother of twins. Dani discusses her documentary, Dani’s Twins, her advocacy for disabled parents, and the importance of representation in media and marketing for the disability community, emphasizing the need for inclusive and accessible business practices.

Title:Flight for Equality: Disabled Travelers Unite Subtitle:Overcoming challenges in the skies together Transcript: Alycia Anderson: Welcome to Pushing Forward with Alycia, a podcast that gives disability a voice. Each week we will explore topics like confidence, ambition, resilience and finding success against all odds. We are creating a collective community that believes that all things … read more… Episode 17 Transcript

Title:The Power of Communication: Celebrating NDEAM with Dustin Giannelli Subtitle:Dustin Giannelli: Championing DEI and Turning Disabilities into Superpowers Transcript: Alycia Anderson: Welcome to Pushing Forward with Alycia, a podcast that gives disability a voice. Each week we will explore topics like confidence, ambition, resilience and finding success against all odds. We are creating a collective … read more… Episode 16 Transcript