#086 - Turning Obstacles into New Opportunities with Winston Clements

In this episode of the AdaptX Podcast, host Brendan Aylward speaks with Winston Clements, a keynote speaker and disability advocate. Winston shares his journey from the tech industry to public speaking, discussing the challenges he faced due to his disability, including unconscious bias in hiring processes. He emphasizes the importance of inclusivity in workplaces and offers insights on etiquette when interacting with disabled individuals. Throughout the conversation, Winston highlights the need for understanding and empathy, encouraging listeners to focus on commonalities rather than differences. He also addresses the expectations placed on him as a speaker and his passion for discussing resilience and high performance. In this conversation, Winston Clements shares his experiences navigating life with a disability, focusing on themes of resilience, content creation, and parenting. He discusses the challenges of accessibility, the impact of public perception, and the importance of normalizing the lives of people with disabilities through social media. Winston also reflects on the balance between sharing his family's journey online and protecting their privacy, as well as the lessons he hopes to impart to his daughter about kindness and adaptability. The conversation concludes with insights into healthcare interactions and Winston's aspirations for the future.

Takeaways

• Public speaking became my second career after tech.
• I wanted to support people with disabilities through my story.
• Unconscious biases affect how we perceive others.
• Pigeonholing individuals based on disability is common.
• Accommodations for disabilities are often inexpensive.
• Treat disabled individuals like anyone else when meeting them.
• Inclusivity in hiring processes is crucial for success. Navigating transport systems can be challenging for those with disabilities.
• Public perception often includes stereotypes that need to be addressed.
• Balancing public life with family privacy is a continuous challenge.
• Children can be intuitive and adapt to their parents' needs.
• Healthcare professionals need to communicate inclusivity to patients with disabilities.
• Future aspirations include engaging more with the community and sharing messages of resilience.

Keywords

disability, public speaking, unconscious bias, inclusion, accessibility, hiring process, workplace culture, etiquette, resilience, high performance, disability, resilience, parenting, healthcare, content creation, accessibility, inclusion, family, social media, community