Neurodiversity and Universal Design: A Guide to Inclusion with Katherine McCord - Episode 42

Inclusion and Disability Advocacy from a Parent's Perspective: The Inclusive Dad

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad podcast, host AAron welcomes Katherine McCord, a national HR and inclusion consultant, to discuss practical strategies for creating inclusive spaces. Katherine shares her expertise on neurodiversity, universal design, and the importance of listening and adaptability. Drawing from her personal journey with disabilities and her professional experiences, Katherine emphasizes that inclusion is a series of actionable processes, not just concepts. She offers valuable insights into transforming workplaces and schools into environments where everyone can thrive naturally and comfortably.

Key Takeaways:

Neurodiversity Value: Organizations benefit significantly from neurodiverse employees by leveraging unique strengths to boost productivity and innovation.

Universal Design: Systems and spaces designed for adaptability inherently promote inclusivity and sustainability.

Ego-Free Listening: Turning off ego responses enables better understanding and builds stronger connections.

Action-Based Inclusion: Inclusion requires practical processes, not just ideas or philosophies.

Empowered Communication: Encouraging open discussions about disabilities fosters comfort, understanding, and education.

Katherine’s definition of inclusion:

Inclusion is having the systems, processes and the psychological safety in place for people to be able to thrive in ways that are natural and healthy for them and that are part of their belief system.

Katherine’s Bio:

From being the little girl who played HR (even firing her own mother!) to the traveling HR entrepreneur and international speaker that she is now, Katherine has had quite a journey!

She has multiple physical and neuro diversities, and says, “I am successful WITH my diagnoses, not in spite of them”... And boy is she!

Katherine is the Founder and President of the People Operations Consulting firm Titan Management, an international speaker, and the Founder of The Neuroverse, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to neurodiversity. She developed the first ever anti-bias Applicant Tracking System and created the "Make Accommodations Standard" process and campaign.

She loves to stay busy and further her three missions: integrity, inclusion, and innovation.

With Katherine, it's all about expanding humanity.

Connect with Katherine:

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@katthehrtitan

Website: https://www.kmccordspeaking.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherine-mccord-093bb343/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@careerlaunchlive

Buy Book: https://amzn.to/49YLocX

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

SPAM© Count:

Host:

Yes

Current Guest:

Yes

Cumulative Guest Stats:

Yes - 20

No - 20

☕ Buy me a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/theinclusivedad

Subscribe to Podcast Newsletter: https://www.theinclusivedad.com/podcastupdates

Want to create videos like this? Check out StreamYard: https://streamyard.com/pal/d/6041699795730432

Want to be a guest on Inclusion and Advocacy from a Parent's Perspective: The Inclusive Dad? Send Aaron Devries a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/theinclusivedad