Hiring Episodes

What could employers discover by challenging their assumptions about disability talent? In this episode of Disability@Work, host Ashley Sims speaks with Gene Boes, President and CEO of Northwest Center, about how outdated perceptions of disability can block employers from hiring qualified talent. Gene shares why he encourages employers to “suspend disbelief,” get curious, and approach disability inclusion through the lens of real business challenges, including retention, productivity, quality, and safety. The conversation explores the return on inclusion, how data and storytelling can change employer perceptions, and a real-world example of an accommodation developed in an Amazon sortation facility that addressed safety concerns while benefiting the broader workforce. The episode also introduces Accessibility Minute, featuring Aaron Linson, with practical guidance on writing more useful alt text for digital content.

Why is hiring people with disabilities still so often framed as an act of goodwill rather than a smart business decision? This episode explores the harmful legacy of the charity mindset in disability employment and why it still holds organizations back. Drawing inspiration from a recent article by disability advocate Steve Way, host Ashley Sims examines how low expectations, deficit-based thinking, and employer-centered definitions of success can undermine true inclusion. She challenges leaders to stop viewing disability hiring as philanthropy and start treating it as what it really is: access to talent, innovation, and business value. The conversation also explores an important question for the future of workplace inclusion: Are we measuring disability inclusion based on what employers say they do, or on what disabled employees actually experience?

AI is transforming hiring, but is it helping employers find the best talent or creating new barriers for qualified candidates? In this episode of Disability@Work, host Ashley Sims explores the growing reliance on AI hiring tools and the risks that come with automated screening, sourcing, and candidate ranking. Building on insights shared by Beverly Dines, COO of Foxsy and Founder of Beverlytics Consultancy, the conversation examines Stanford research showing how AI hiring systems can unintentionally reinforce systemic bias and filter out talented candidates before a human ever reviews their application. While much of the discussion around AI hiring focuses on job seekers, this episode shifts the spotlight to employers and talent acquisition teams facing overwhelming application volumes and increasing pressure to hire efficiently. Ashley discusses practical strategies organizations can use to balance efficiency with equity, including rethinking what it means to be qualified, audi…