Podcasts By Dr. Kirk Adams

By: Dr. Kirk Adams PhD
Listen for free

  • Summary

  • Podcasts By Dr. Kirk Adams is a compelling podcast series that brings listeners into the world of accessibility, leadership, and social change through the lens of one of the most influential voices in blindness advocacy. Dr. Kirk Adams, former President and CEO of the American Foundation for the Blind and a lifelong champion for the rights of people with visual impairments, hosts this insightful and inspiring program.
    2024
    Show More Show Less
Show More Show Less
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2
Episodes
  • Supercharge Your Bottom Line Through Disability Inclusion: October 31, 2024: Jeremy Grandstaff

    Supercharge Your Bottom Line Through Disability Inclusion: October 31, 2024: Jeremy Grandstaff
    Oct 31 2024
    In this episode of Supercharge Your Bottom Line Through Disability Inclusion, Dr. Kirk Adams and his guest, Jeremy Grandstaff, dive into a powerful discussion on disability inclusion and its transformative impact on businesses. Broadcasting from his Seattle home office, Dr. Adams begins with an intimate account of his personal journey — from losing his sight at age five to becoming a leading advocate for accessibility. His early experiences, from mastering Braille to being the only blind student in mainstream education, laid the foundation for his resilience and passion for inclusion. But this episode isn't just about Dr. Adams. TRANSCRIPT 00:00 Music. 00:09 Welcome to podcasts by Dr Kirk Adams, where we bring you powerful conversations with leading voices in disability rights, employment and inclusion. Our guests share their expertise, experiences and strategies to inspire action and create a more inclusive world. If you're passionate about social justice or want to make a difference, you're in the right place. Let's dive in with your host, Dr Kirk Adams, 00:37 hello, everybody. This is Dr Kirk Adams, talking to you from my home office in sunny Seattle, Washington. And welcome to my monthly live streamed webinar. Supercharge your bottom line through disability inclusion. And as you know, every month I have a wonderful guest host. This month, it is Jeremy grand staff, you'll hear more, a lot more from Jeremy in a bit, but Jeremy, could you please say hello? 01:07 Well, hello, Dr Kirk, it's such an honor to be with you and and to be part of your space. I just appreciate such a great opportunity to collaborate with you on many levels, but this is definitely one of the highlights of my week. So thank you for having me on great and I'm going to, I'm going to give you a little bit of background about me, in case you don't know me yet, and I'll keep it brief, I promise. And then we'll, we'll talk to Jeremy at some length 01:39 about disability inclusion, employment of people who are blind, the importance of accessibility, and his very interesting life story as well. And then we'll let you know how you can get in touch with me, how you can get in touch with Jeremy, and we'll open it up for any questions, comments, any of you may have who are joined with us here live today. You're watching the recording. We'll let you know how to get in touch with us. So again, I'm Dr KURT ADAMS. I am a blind person. Have been since age five, when my retins Both detached. I was in kindergarten and I went to a school for blind children, State of Oregon, Oregon State School for the Blind. First, second, third grade had a wonderful teacher named Mrs. Summers who taught me how to read Braille, which opened up my world and write Braille. Then I had a great O and M instructor, Mr. Pearson, who taught me how to travel confidently and independently with a long white cane. Wasn't it wasn't very long when I was six years old, but I was, I was using a cane and then learned how to type on a typewriter. Today, it would be called keyboarding, but the model then 02:57 blind kids and deaf kids went to state residential schools primarily and learn the skills of disability to the point where we could then go to public school in our hometown, our neighborhood. So I started that in fourth grade, went all the way on through school, lived in small towns here in the Pacific Northwest, was always the only blind student in all of my classes after I left the school for the blind so through through elementary, middle school, high school, college masters, PhD, always the only blind person. So I've had that experience. Also had the experience of graduating from college with great academic credentials, phi, beta, kappa, cum laude, four point by econ degree, then running into those barriers to employment that so many of us significant disabilities face. I've had that experience also through many twists, through many twists and turns. 04:01 Became the president and CEO of the Lighthouse for the Blind here in Seattle, the social enterprise employing about 250 people who are blind and deaf blind, and a variety of businesses, including aerospace manufacturing, making parts for all the Boeing aircraft later was privileged to step into that same president and CE role at the American Foundation for the Blind, which is the most iconic organization in the blindness field. Helen Keller was the brand ambassador there for 45 years. And when I moved from Seattle to New York, and we're in those offices at AFB, I could walk down the hall and sit at Helen Keller's desk, play with her typewriter if I ever needed a shot of inspiration. So I've, I've had the opportunity to be a frustrated person with a disability seeking employment, an opportunity. 05:00 To be a successfully employed person with a disability in corporate America. I was in banking and finance for 10 years, and then an opportunity to be the employer of 05:12 ...
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 9 mins
  • Supercharge Your Bottom Line Through Disability Inclusion | WOTC

    Supercharge Your Bottom Line Through Disability Inclusion | WOTC
    Sep 26 2024

    Dr. Kirk Adams and Evan Amundson discussed the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) and its benefits for businesses hiring individuals with disabilities. Evan highlighted that WOTC can provide tax credits ranging from $1,200 to $9,600 per eligible new hire, with over 2 million eligible new hires in 2023. He emphasized the importance of vocational rehabilitation agencies in connecting employers with qualified candidates. Kirk added that only 35% of people with significant disabilities are in the workforce, despite many being highly motivated and qualified. They also mentioned other tax credits, such as the Disabled Access Credit and Barrier Removal Deduction, to incentivize businesses to hire and accommodate individuals with disabilities.
    Show More Show Less
    55 mins
  • Supercharge Your Bottom Line Through Disability Inclusion | Surpassing Sight

    Supercharge Your Bottom Line Through Disability Inclusion | Surpassing Sight
    Jun 2 2024
    Dr. Kirk Adams, Managing Director of Innovative Impact LLC, hosted a webinar discussing disability inclusion and employment. He highlighted that only 35% of blind individuals are employed, compared to 70% of the general population. Lucas Behnken, producer of the documentary "Surpassing Sight," shared the film's goal to change perceptions of blind capabilities through the story of a blind team in the Race Across America. The film aims to catalyze social impact by connecting employers with training programs and tracking employment outcomes. The project includes private screenings, a red carpet premiere, and a long-term strategy to raise awareness and funds for employment opportunities for the blind. Introduction and Overview of the Webinar Speaker 1 introduces the podcast, emphasizing its focus on disability rights, employment, and inclusion.Speaker 2, Dr. Kirk Adams, welcomes everyone to the fourth episode of his monthly live-streamed webinar series.Dr. Adams mentions the partnership with the documentary film "Surpassing Sight" and introduces its producer, Lucas Behnken.Lucas Behnken introduces himself and his production company, Sterling Light Productions, and provides a brief background on the film and its foundation. Dr. Kirk Adams' Background and Employment Statistics for Blind Individuals Dr. Adams shares his personal story of being blind since childhood and his education at the Oregon State School for the Blind.He discusses the employment challenges faced by blind individuals, noting that only 35% are employed compared to 70% of the general population.Dr. Adams highlights the disparities in employment outcomes, including higher unemployment rates and lower income levels for blind individuals.He emphasizes the importance of meaningful employment in providing financial stability, dignity, and positive self-identity. Success Stories and Personal Experiences of Blind Professionals Dr. Adams shares success stories of blind professionals who have achieved significant careers in large corporations.He recounts the story of a blind woman who overcame obstacles to become an executive in a telecom company.Another story involves a blind man who participated in freestyle bike tricks with his sighted peers, fostering a strong sense of self-efficacy.Dr. Adams discusses his professional career dedicated to creating opportunities for blind and disabled individuals to thrive in employment. Dr. Adams' Professional Achievements and Leadership Roles Dr. Adams details his role as President and CEO of the Lighthouse for the Blind in Seattle, where he oversaw businesses employing blind and deaf-blind individuals.He highlights the success of these businesses, including aerospace manufacturing and advanced manufacturing for the U.S. Army.Dr. Adams shares his experience serving on the Board of Trustees for the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) and his leadership role at AFB.He recounts his meeting with Jack Chen, a blind Assistant General Counsel for Google, and their shared commitment to creating opportunities for blind individuals in the workforce. The Race Across America Project and AFB's Involvement Dr. Adams describes the Race Across America project initiated by Jack Chen and Dan Berlin, involving blind professionals on tandem cycling teams.AFB sponsored the Race Across America team, marking a significant milestone in their efforts to change perceptions of blind capabilities.Dr. Adams shares his transition to a new role as a consultant and his partnership with Dan Berlin, leading to the Apex Program for training blind individuals in cybersecurity.The Apex Program has expanded to 16 states, with a target of training 400 blind individuals annually in cybersecurity. Introduction of Lucas Behnken and the Surpassing Sight Film Project Lucas Behnken introduces himself and his background in creating social impact campaigns around documentary films.He explains his involvement in the Surpassing Sight project, which began with footage from the Race Across America.Lucas and his team, including director Ramon Fernandez, interviewed subjects and created the film to highlight the capabilities of blind professionals.The film includes a diverse team of blind and low-vision professionals, ensuring authenticity and impact. The Film's Social Impact Campaign and Distribution Strategy Lucas emphasizes the importance of using the film as a tool to make long-term change and enhance lives.The film includes an audio description track, ensuring accessibility for blind viewers.Lucas and his team have been conducting private screenings to build advocates and gather feedback on the film's impact.The goal is to create a concierge service to connect blind professionals with companies and track their employment outcomes. Lessons Learned from Previous Social Impact Campaigns Lucas shares insights from his work on the documentary "Molly," which focused on adoption and foster care.The campaign involved private screenings, partnerships with ...
    Show More Show Less
    59 mins

What listeners say about Podcasts By Dr. Kirk Adams

Average customer ratings

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Audible.co.uk reviews

Amazon reviews
No Reviews are Available