Episode 12

full
Published on:

1st Jul 2024

Understanding Invisible Disabilities: Creating Inclusive Workplaces for All with Sydney Blondell and Lynn Lafy

Understanding Invisible Disabilities: Creating Inclusive Workplaces for All

Join host Betsy Cerulo in a heartfelt conversation with Lynn Lafy, HR Consulting Team Lead at Adnet, and Sydney Blondell, Administrative Coordinator and indie author. In this powerful episode, they dive deep into the world of invisible disabilities, exploring the challenges and misconceptions individuals face in the workplace and beyond. Learn how education, compassion, and flexibility are crucial in creating workplaces where everyone, regardless of disability visibility, feels seen, valued, and empowered to thrive.

Key Timestamps:

  • (00:00) Introduction: Unveiling invisible disabilities and their impact.
  • (01:32) Defining invisible disabilities: Perspectives from Lynn and Sydney.
  • (02:45) Common reactions and misconceptions about invisible disabilities.
  • (06:00) Navigating stress and managing health within the workplace.
  • (10:42) Why education and awareness about disabilities matter in all communities.
  • (12:32) Addressing ableism and advocating effectively in everyday interactions.
  • (16:00) The importance of workplace flexibility and compassionate leadership.
  • (18:57) Overcoming the stigma around mental health and disability at work.
  • (22:30) Empowering workplaces: actionable steps for inclusivity and support.

Key Takeaways:

  • Visibility & Understanding: Invisible disabilities, though unseen, significantly impact individuals' daily lives and require increased societal awareness.
  • Education & Advocacy: Educating oneself and advocating against ableism can profoundly impact community perceptions and behaviors.
  • Workplace Flexibility: Compassionate, flexible leadership supports disabled employees' well-being, enhancing productivity and workplace satisfaction.
  • Empathy and Inclusion: Genuine curiosity and compassionate engagement foster inclusivity, reducing stigma and empowering individuals.

Resources & Links:


About the Guest:

Sydney Blondell is a queer and disabled author, best known for her book The Stars in My Heart – an OwnVoices disability representation YA trilogy. She holds two bachelor's degrees in English and Professional Writing from Bridgewater College. Sydney is also the Administrative Coordinator at AdNet.

Lynn Lafy has spent her career specializing in Human Resources in industries such as oil, roofing, and now staffing. Lynn previously worked with AdNet in the late 1990’s in an operations role and now serves as AdNet’s HR Consulting Team Lead. Lynn has dealt with chronic illnesses for most of her life, and it is a passion of hers to ensure the disabled community is being fairly treated in the workplace.


Tags:

Invisible Disabilities, Workplace Inclusivity, Ableism, Advocacy, Mental Health, Compassionate Leadership, Education, Empathy, Disability Representation, Flexible Workplaces, Lynn Lafy, Sydney Blondell, Betsy Cerulo, Adnet, Room at the Table Podcast, Heart centered workplace, Workplace culture, Equality, Leadership, Inclusive Workplaces, Social Impact

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About the Podcast

Room at the Table: Building Culture by Breaking Barriers
Gather around the table for conversations about creating equitable and inclusive workplaces where leaders rise above mediocrity and teams thrive.
Gather around the table for insightful conversations focused on building heart-centered workplaces that thrive on equality, inclusive workplaces, and exceptional leadership. Betsy Cerulo (she/her) and her expert guests explore what it takes to transform workplace culture through thoughtful, meaningful dialogues that drive real social impact.
Each engaging episode of Room at the Table Podcast gets to the core principles of creating a heart-centered workplace. Through inspiring conversations, listeners will discover the critical role that inclusive workplaces play in achieving equality and enhancing workplace culture. Betsy and her diverse guests share powerful strategies to help leaders rise above mediocrity, fostering an environment of genuine inclusivity and significant social impact.
Whether discussing compassionate leadership, the impact of inclusive workplaces on employee satisfaction, or addressing burnout and stress management, each episode emphasizes practical ways to cultivate a thriving workplace culture. Betsy’s expert guests provide tangible advice on how to implement meaningful changes that support both individual and organizational growth, reinforcing the values of equality and heart-centered leadership.

Listeners will find rich, actionable insights on fostering emotional authenticity, advocating for LGBTQ+ rights, and supporting disability inclusion in inclusive workplaces. Each conversation highlights the transformative power of equality, effective leadership, and workplace culture that prioritizes empathy, respect, and community engagement.

Room at the Table also explores the powerful journeys of women in leadership, providing inspiration and guidance on how to break down barriers and achieve greater equality in the workplace. Episodes dedicated to navigating grief and loss underline the importance of compassion and understanding within heart-centered workplaces, reinforcing the value of empathy-driven leadership.

Economic empowerment and financial equality are also central themes, demonstrating how inclusive workplaces drive both organizational success and broader social impact. Leaders will gain valuable insights into leveraging diversity, equity, and inclusion practices to build sustainable, thriving organizations that positively impact communities.

Room at the Table Podcast is essential listening for leaders and team members dedicated to cultivating heart-centered workplaces. Betsy Cerulo and her expert guests offer clear pathways for creating inclusive workplaces where equality is prioritized, leadership is impactful, and the overall workplace culture significantly contributes to positive social impact.

Subscribe now to Room at the Table Podcast and join a growing community committed to equality, inclusive workplaces, and leadership that transforms workplace culture into environments of empowerment, empathy, and enduring social impact.

About the Host:

Betsy Cerulo is the CEO of AdNet/AccountNet, a successful certified LGBTE, WBE and 8(a) management consulting firm focused on professional staffing and executive search, based in Baltimore, Maryland, and Co-Founder of the Maryland LGBT Chamber of Commerce. Betsy is the author of Miss Crabapple and Her Magical Violin, a children's book that was inspired by lighting up a dream for a child through their imagination. She is also a contributing author of two compilations: Women Living Consciously and Keys to Conscious Business Growth. Betsy lives in Baltimore with her wife, Susan, and their treasured Weimaraner, Grace Kelly. Their son and daughter-in-law, daughter, and three grandchildren complete the picture with lots of love, creativity, and laughter.

Company Website: https://www.adnetp3.com/
Personal Website: betsycerulo.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/betsycerulo/
Shake it Off Leadership: https://books.google.ca/books/about/Shake_It_Off_Leadership.html?id=tZ3fxwEACAAJ&source=kp_author_description&redir_esc=y

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