October 2024 - Sheri Byrne-Haber's Blog

Child wearing noise-canceling headphones in a very wide and long hallway (blurred) with other people around them.

Transforming Experiences for Neurodiverse Individuals through Sensory-friendly Hours and Quiet Spaces

In our noisy, complicated world, it can be easy to overlook the needs of those who experience the environment differently. Everyday settings can often be overwhelming for neurodiverse individuals. This is particularly true for those with autism, sensory processing disorder,…

Wheelchair-using student in 1:8 resource room setting with a one-on-one aide.

Fight Club, Parent Edition

When you are expecting a child, your mind fills with visions of a picture-perfect future. You think about first words, school pictures, friendships, proms, and the milestones of independence like getting their first driver’s license, job, or going to college.…

The Biggest Headaches Job Hunting While Disabled

Job hunting is stressful for everyone. But for people with disabilities, the process is often fraught with additional challenges that make it even more difficult to find a job. From inaccessible application portals to discriminatory job descriptions, navigating the job…

We don’t all “have the same 24 hours”

“We all have the same 24 hours” is an empty maxim. Commonly followed by “What you do with it is up to you” or “Successful people just sacrifice more than you,” the statement turns from fatuous into aggressive, blaming, cringe-worthy,…

Circle split into thirds showing Diversity flowing into Equity with the word Knowledge appearing in the overlap, Equity flowing into inclusion with the word Opportunity at the overlap, and inclusion flowing back into diversity with the word allyship at the overlap. In the center is the word Belonging.

Diversity Managers — Here’s what you need to know about Disabilities

When I start a new contract or job, one of the first meetings I pursue is with the Chief Diversity Officer or if there isn’t one, whomever is at the top of the DEIB food chain. I have completed two…

Essential Special Education Planning (Back to School edition)

August marks the end of summer vacation in the United States. For students with disabilities, it’s also the last time that Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) or 504 Plans can be revisited or created before the beginning of the next school…

Imagine a scenario where a law that has significant public support is targeted for repeal. The public move to repeal the law might spark protests, create political backlash, and tarnish the reputations of those advocating for its repeal. The legislative…

Reducing Digital Accessibility Litigation Risk

Let’s talk about something every business owner, developer, and content creator should (but usually doesn’t) have at the forefront of their mind—disabled customers and accessibility. Specifically, how to avoid getting hit with a lawsuit because your website, app, or product…

Month: October 2024