Tiffany Yu

Disability, Ableism & Allyship

While the disability community has had many of their rights protected in the workplace since the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990, the unemployment rate for disabled Americans has remained the same since then (source: Harkin Institute). This highlights a pressing need for both policy and hearts and minds to change in order to create systemic change and more inclusive workspaces. Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives have not included a disability lens for far too long. This talk takes an interactive approach to better understanding ableism and how pervasive it is in our society and what we can do to be a better ally to the disability community.

Disability Representation in Tech

In this keynote-style talk, Tiffany explores the progress that has been made since the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990 and the role that technology can play in creating a more inclusive and accessible world.

Being the Representation I Couldn't Find

In this keynote-style talk, Tiffany shares her personal experiences with being a disabled woman of color and the lessons that she has learned along the way, leaving attendees with an empowering and motivating message on leadership.

The Future of Work: Closing the Disability Employment Gap

All around the world, there is a huge disability employment gap. In most countries, the unemployment rate for people with disabilities is twice that of people without disabilities. Often, it’s as high as 80%.

There are over a billion people in the world living with a disability. To have 80% of them unemployed? That’s a lot of untapped potential.

We’re in what some call the “Great Resignation,” hiring people with disabilities is a huge opportunity. Research shows 89% of employers who’ve embraced disability as part of their talent strategy have seen increases in employee retention.

In this talk, Tiffany will outline the steps that every workplace can take to truly welcome people with disabilities.

Non-apparent Disabilities in the Workplace

Oftentimes, DEI initiatives focus on the things that can be seen – race, gender, age, and physical disabilities. Non-apparent disabilities, however, represent a huge segment of the disabled community. Join this event to gain an understanding of the physical, emotional, and neurological conditions that are not always apparent to others. We will explore the limitations and challenges experienced by those in the disabled community – especially within the workplace – including stalled career growth, misunderstandings, and exclusion. This conversation will help not only identify common unconscious biases but also examine actionable ways to support co-workers.

How AI and Technology Empower People with Disabilities and Benefit Us All

In today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape, AI is transforming accessibility for the 1 billion people with disabilities globally, leveling the playing field and paving the way for a more inclusive society. Tiffany Yu, author of The Anti-Ableist Manifesto and founder of Diversability, will dive into how AI not only empowers disabled individuals but also enhances experiences for nondisabled people. You’ll learn about the ways that focusing on accessibility from the start can be your competitive advantage, leading to better outcomes for all.

Empowering Disability Leadership Through Entrepreneurship

People with disabilities face some of the highest unemployment rates. Self-employment can offer a sustainable and accessible path to economic self-sufficiency by celebrating the innate adaptability, creativity, and ingenuity that naturally develops from navigating life with complex conditions such as paralysis, blindness, and autism. Join advocate and entrepreneur Tiffany Yu, founder of Diversability, a disabled-run and disabled-led company, for a discussion about how entrepreneurship action can help close the disability employment gap and create a ripple effect of leadership and empowerment within the disability community that will bring us all forward toward a better future.