Dwarfism- Building A More Inclusive Work Environment for People with Disabilities episode #33

<p><strong><em>In this episode Joanne Williams, LCSW discusses with</em></strong> Becky Curran Kekula after 1,000 applications. 100 interviews. Four months. Three temporary positions. This may sound like the premise for this holiday season’s new comedy - but it’s not. It is, however, the real-life experience of Becky Curran Kekula, who ended up working behind the scenes in the film industry for the first part of her career.</p> <p>Becky is an international motivational speaker and advocate for inclusion, who also happens to have dwarfism! She has spoken at over 300 venues such as companies, government agencies, and schools.</p> <p>She serves as the Director of Disability Equality Index at Disability: IN, as the leading nonprofit resource for business disability inclusion worldwide. Working to empower hiring managers to practice rigorous self-awareness of unconscious biases and related risks in order to enable fair and equitable people decisions, learn how unconscious bias can affect the hiring process. </p> <p><strong>Summary of today Podcast: </strong></p> <ol> <li><strong>What would be helpful for parents to know?</strong></li> <li><strong>How can the general public increase their awareness in order to be informed of respectful behavior?</strong></li> <li><strong>What we can do and not assume in the grocery store?</strong></li> </ol> <p>Question for today is? Do you drive and where do you find your clothes? She uses pedal extensions, and she does deactivate the air bags. She goes to regular stores; she buys capris and short sleeves and at times gets alterations.</p> <p>Becky joins us today Advocating for disability /dwarfism inclusion in the workplace. Dwarfism is short stature that results from a genetic or medical condition. The average adult height among people with dwarfism is 4 feet.</p> <p>Becky tells her story and the challenges she faced while trying to enter the workplace. What accommodations did you need?  She worked at a talent agency for 5 years, now she works in corporate America for disability inc