Finding the Mission: Get Beyond Bias
People often ask what makes me an effective Disability Employment Specialist.
Rooted in my own experience, the answer is this - I fully understand the urgency - the fear - and the desire - that job seekers-with-disabilities associate with finding the right employer. I understand quietly watching opportunities fade away - wanting to contribute your skills authentically and seeking the stabilizing effects that come with salaried, benefits-eligible employment - but without real avenues to success.
I’ve just sent an invoice to a client for a webinar that I gave last week. Having earned measurable revenue this year, I've been reflecting on the difficult journey that brought me here.
It was a blistering day in 2015, I sat dejectedly in a Brooklyn food pantry. A woman who appeared to be struggling with addiction sat beside me. New to the situation, I approached the receptionist scowling behind a bunker-worthy sheet of plexiglass. She brusquely stated that I could choose food when it was my turn. She continued, underscoring that the pantry was only once a week at a specific time.
While sitting quietly contemplating, I was surprised by the receptionist as she began shouting at a man with a Caribbean Spanish accent. He seemed unable to hear her. I turned to the woman and offered to translate. She agreed, frustrated.
Looking the man in the eye, I calmly asked him, Tu etas sordo? Are you deaf? "Si, yo soy sordo. "Yes, I 'm deaf," he answered. I asked him if he could read lips. He again answered yes. I translated for him and managed to salvage the situation and maybe protect a little dignity. I studied the floor and found it fitting that I had used my teaching skills to advocate for people with disabilities in the middle of such chaos. I wondered how my life had ended up here?
In 2008, I graduated from Teachers College Columbia University, with a Masters - intent on teaching 7-12 grade Social Studies. By 2009, I had become a New York State Dual-certified General Education / Special Education professional. To top it off, I spoke Spanish proficiently. One of my supervising teachers, a veteran educator - who did not give unearned compliments - candidly told me that, in her view, I should focus my direction on departmental leadership or becoming an assistant principal.
Bullied by their belief in me, I told them that I'd be content to follow in my father's footsteps as a classroom teacher and retire in 20-30 years - knowing I'd made a difference in my students' lives. Nearly from the start, it became clear that the support my mentors gave me was the exception and not the norm. In hindsight, my teaching career was a case study in the horrendous effects of ableism in America.After one year in the classroom, as a glorified paraprofessional, at a school that made little effort to accomodate for me - I spent the next few years applying for every teaching job I could find. I often made the final round of interviews but never made it over the finish line. Even when I thought I'd made it, I didn't.
In 2010, I accepted a dream role as a Head of Employment / Social Studies, a dual role for students with disabilities - finally, I was going to make an impact. The school waited until three days before the start of the year to tell me that they didn't have the budget to hire me in the role. I was beyond crushed.
Tired of hearing no, by 2012, I was taking the first steps towards founding my own business. The irony was that while employers were rarely willing to take a risk on me, I found my experiences allowed me to help prepare others, to build their confidence, their network, strengthen communication and position their value into the employment marketplace - helping talented people get beyond bias.
In 2016, my then girlfriend, now wife, confidently supported me over the finish line, “It’s time. You’re doing your own thing now." Everyone needs some coaching once in a while. Looking for support in finding and activating your mission in the workplace? Follow Steve McEvoy as he shares resources, tools and support for those seeking to get beyond bias - to find people-first employment opportunities.
