Featured as a Panelist for TOOST Radio

On Wednesday, November 6th, 2013, I had the opportunity to be featured as a panelist on TOOST Radio.  TOOST Radio is the radio show series Out of Step Tool has created to allow people with disabilities to discuss issues ranging from the workplace to other pertinent subjects that matter to them.

I was asked to be a panelist for the first episode of TOOST Radio that discussed whether a person with a disability should disclose their disability status to a potential employer.  I was one of three panelist interviewed about this topic.  Each of us provided our own personal and professional experiences as to why or why not we chose to disclose our disability status, and possible reasons those with disabilities make in regards to disclosing (or not) their disability status.  During the discussion, it was clear that each of us had similar ideas about disclosing – it’s a personal choice that each person has to make, and it typically revolves around our openness with our own disability when making such a decision.

When I provided my reflections regarding my decision to self-disclose and how I felt about the decisions others made on this topic, I stressed the importance of being comfortable in one’s own skin.  When a person owns who they are and what they are about, the fear of disclosing their differences is incredibly diminished.  I discussed how creating Ramp Your Voice!, as well as connecting with other women with disabilities, has strengthened my ability to disclose and discuss my life experience as a professional woman of color with a disability.  Surrounding myself with other disability advocates who have also become friends gives me a sense of community – a disabled community full of supporters who understand the experiences I have endured.  Developing a strong support system within the disability community is instrumental to not only my business success, but also my emotional and social health and success.

It was an honor to be a part of such an empowering, reflective panel discussion.  I would love to have the opportunity to be a panelist for another TOOST Radio show topic, as well as any other organization that features the voices of disability advocates.  If anyone is interested in allowing me to have another amazing opportunity such as this, please contact me via email at Vilissa@rampyourvoice.com.

TOOST Radio provided me an incredible platform to discuss Ramp Your Voice! and my life experience as a person with a disability.  I’m ready to continue RAMPING my voice to those who have a vested interest in hearing my story!

(Out of Step is an amazing organization that I’m ecstatic to have connected with.  Visit my consultation profile page on their website!)