"I Just Want to Work"
In this day and age, finding potential employees seems to be harder and harder. A potentially untapped pool of applicants is people with disabilities, a group who is underemployed. Rob Oliver will share his personal story about finding employment as a person with a disability, discuss the current statistics and trends related to employment for people with disabilities, and provide practical suggestions for how employers can make their workplace more accessible (just a hint, it's more than having a ramp out front!)
At the end of this presentation, participants will be able to:
- Understand the current state of employment for people with disabilities
- Identify obstacles to employment for people with disabilities
- List strategies for creating an accessible workplace
HRCI/SHRM = 1.5 credits
Zoom invite will be sent prior to event
About our speaker:
Rob Oliver is a speaker, author, podcaster, and advocate. At 21 years old, he sustained a spinal cord injury while body surfing on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The injury left him paralyzed from the check down with limited use of his arms and hands. These limitations forced Rob to take a long hard look at life, relationships, and success. The insights that he gained during that experience and through the ensuing years of living with quadriplegia are invaluable, practical, powerful, and applicable to all humanity.
Rob feels that we all experience the “human condition.” Part of that condition is dealing with limitations and adversity. Our ability to succeed is directly impacted by whether we choose to focus on our abilities or our deficits.
After much encouragement, Rob decided to share these lessons with others as a speaker and author. His first book, “Still Walking”, chronicles his determination to move along life’s pathway regardless of limitations and barriers. “Still Falling” is his second autobiographical book which shares more life stories and lessons including the fact that a positive attitude won’t prevent you from tipping over your wheelchair. He also wrote “Who Me, Yeah You!” an Anti-Bullying book for elementary aged children. All 3 books hit the bestseller list.
As a speaker, Rob has shared his message with thousands, speaking at companies, schools, associations and conferences as well as multiple radio and TV appearances. He has twice been recognized with the annual “Best of…” Award as the #1 rated Motivational Speaker in his hometown of Pittsburgh.
Rob hosts the Perspectives on Healthcare Podcast where he interviews members of the medical community about quality healthcare, the future of healthcare and how to improve it. On May 6 & 7, he set a world record for the longest interview marathon at 37 hours, 44 minutes and 17 seconds. During the marathon 137 patients shared their experiences, recognized “Healthcare Heroes,” talked about quality healthcare and how to improve it. (The record is unofficial; he’s waiting on Guinness World Records approval.)
He has been involved in advocacy at the local, state and national level for almost 25 years. Currently, he is the vice chair of the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council, the former chair of the Pennsylvania Statewide Independent Living Council, a member of the Rehabilitation Engineer Society of North America (RESNA) Professional Standards Board and an advisor for the University of Pittsburgh’s Rehabilitation Technology program.
Rob lives with his wife and their 20-year-old triplets. He is active in his community, church and as an advocate for people with disabilities. His goal is to “live life to the fullest.”
