Alycia Anderson

Ableism is everywhere you turn. It's so ingrained in our society that it's often overlooked and goes unnoticed, but without recognizing ableism and its effects we will never fully understand what inclusion really means for everyone. My perspective is what is missing from American TV, politics and generally any conversation, what does it look like when we put yourselves in another’s wheels and shift perceptions of what is perceived as possible by turning off or disabling ableism. Differences are okay! The important thing is that we don't favor one over the other, but celebrate each of us for our uniqueness. Through this talk I share my own personal journey accumulated over my lifetime, and open the conversation about ableism. No matter what shape or size we come in when we disable ableism we truly begin to see people for people and value our differences as cherished attributes that bring a broader outlook to our world, expanding possibilities for all!

Alycia Anderson's compelling speeches on intersectionality beckons her audience on a genuine exploration of the intricate dimensions of disability, positioning it as one facet within the intricate tapestry of an individual's overarching identity. By spotlighting notable figures who share the experience of disability, she dives into the intersecting narratives of their lives alongside her own. The presentation delves deeper into the concept of intersectionality, portraying it as a fusion of advantages and disadvantages. Alycia seamlessly weaves this philosophy into the imperative of fostering equity in the workplace, elucidating the distinctions between equity and equality. Moreover, the speech challenges the perception of disability as a divisive factor, asserting it as our collective common ground. Alycia advocates for harnessing our differences strategically in professional settings, emphasizing that the diversity of disability is an asset rather than a limitation.

Diversity and inclusion is a trending topic in today's world. We seem to be in a race to implement these programs on campus, at work, and in life. This is great but now the real question is do we understand the inherent benefits of our efforts or are we checking off a box and moving on? The reality is success in this venture requires ongoing, collective collaboration and hard work. The process is unique to each person and situation. So having an emotional understanding, we are likely to have greater success in our efforts. It's all about the past, present and future coming together and saying “where do we go from here?” This talk explores the relationship between diversity and Inclusion and how these concepts benefit all of us. We will explore how bias drives decisions and how communication, adaptability and belief that perceived impossibilities are possibilities are the key to success in our efforts.