Building a Culture of Workplace Inclusion with Ellen Johnson and Nikki Byrd
Join host Corrie Melanson for an inspiring conversation with Ellen Johnson, Regional Accessibility Coordinator for five Lunenburg County municipalities, and Nikki Byrd, Manager of Human Resources at Stewart McKelvey, as they share practical "disability hacks" that are transforming workplaces across Nova Scotia.
Ellen shares her personal journey from navigating her first job with low vision to her current role advocating for accessibility, while Nikki offers insights from supporting nearly 700 employees across six offices in Atlantic Canada. Together, they reveal that creating inclusive workplaces doesn't require massive budgets; it requires commitment, creativity, and compassion.
Key topics include:
- Why flexible work arrangements are the ultimate accessibility solution
- Low-cost changes that signal safety: fidgets, dimmers, and wellness rooms
- Breaking down the myth that accommodations are expensive (spoiler: most aren't!)
- Starting benefits day one instead of after 90 days, and why it matters
- The power of asking "What do you need?" without making assumptions
- Representation as a "super hack" for embedding accessibility into organisational culture
- Why wellness accounts should cover art supplies, not just gym memberships
Whether you're an employer just starting your accessibility journey or an HR professional looking for fresh ideas, this episode offers actionable strategies and the reminder that mistakes are okay; what matters is taking steps forward.
