Heard & Empowered

From Line Worker to CEO? It’s not just possible—it’s happening! 🚀 This week on the Heard & Empowered podcast by National Industries for the Blind, Christopher Burke Executive Director of the New York State Preferred Source Program for New Yorkers Who Are Blind (NYSPSP), shares how his organization is transforming careers by providing real growth opportunities for people with #blindness or #lowvision. 💬 “We've had individuals in our program start as line workers and go all the way up to being CEOs of agencies,” he told our host, Hoby Wedler, Ph.D. Here’s what you’ll gain from this episode:  🔹 Career mobility: From entry-level positions in manufacturing to leadership roles, NYSPSP provides plenty of pathways to success. 🔹 Diverse job opportunities: The program offers a range of roles, including producing safety gear and work-from-home positions in digital accessibility testing. 🔹 Sustainable impact: NYSPSP reinvests its revenue back into services that create even more job opportunities ensuring ongoing growth and support. 🔹 Stability through government contracts: NYSPSP works with steady, long-term clients in the public sector, providing security through government contracts and consistent demand for products and services. Whether you’re a business leader interested in inclusive hiring or curious about how social entrepreneurship models can drive social impact, this episode is a must-listen. 🎧 Tune in now to hear how NYSPSP is building a stronger workforce and offering career paths with no limits: https://lnkd.in/ehPcvmeP #CareerGrowth #InclusiveWorkforce #JobOpportunities

What does it take for a line worker to become a CEO? 🔑 It’s not just a dream—it’s the reality for many people in the New York State Preferred Source Program for New Yorkers Who Are Blind (NYSPSP). In this week’s Heard & Empowered podcast by National Industries for the Blind, Christopher Burke, Executive Director of NYSPSP, shares how the program is driving career mobility and creating meaningful employment opportunities for people who are #blind or have #lowvision across the whole state of New York. Whether it’s through producing essential products like blankets and safety gloves 🧤 or delivering cutting-edge digital services such as web accessibility testing 💻, NYSPSP’s reach is vast—and so are the career paths it opens. Here are a few key insights you'll get when you listen to the episode:  🔹 How NYSPSP is fostering upward mobility, helping individuals rise from entry-level positions to leadership roles. 🔹 The clients NYSPSP serves in the government as well as the private sector, creating jobs ranging from manufacturing to digital accessibility. 🔹 NYSPSP’s social entrepreneurship approach combining business principles with a mission to lower unemployment—and how this yields a sustainable model for job creation. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in how social entrepreneurship can transform lives, build careers, and contribute to a stronger and more inclusive workforce for people with blindness. 🎧 Tune in now to discover how NYSPSP is shaping the future of employment opportunities: https://lnkd.in/ehPcvmeP

🚀 Get ready for something BIG this Wednesday! Set your alarms, because this week’s episode of the Heard & Empowered podcast by National Industries for the Blind is bringing you real insights and powerful stories you won’t want to miss! Host Hoby Wedler, Ph.D. sits down with Christopher Burke, Executive Director of the New York State Preferred Source Program for New Yorkers Who Are Blind, for a thought-provoking conversation about how one state is taking bold steps to change lives through meaningful employment opportunities. Here’s a sneak peek at what you’ll hear: 💼 How New York State’s groundbreaking Preferred Source Program is creating jobs for people who are #blind or have #lowvision, ensuring employment opportunities 📊 The role of social entrepreneurship in growing this thriving nonprofit 🎯 Chris’s inspiring journey from government work to leading one of the most impactful programs for people with #blindness in the country. Curious yet? 😏 Be sure to tune in on Wednesday for this empowering discussion and dive into how innovative thinking is driving change and creating jobs to serve some of the largest public sector agencies in the Empire State. 📅 In the meantime, don’t wait—explore our vast library of past episodes to be inspired and empowered!  💪✨ https://lnkd.in/gQwEHfPt #JobOpportunities #EmploymentForAll #SocialEntrepreneurship

🚀 Empower your career with NSITE 🚀 NSITE, the talent management enterprise of National Industries for the Blind, is redefining opportunities for people who are #blind or have #lowvision. Whether you're aiming for a job in the public, private, or non-profit sectors, or dreaming of entrepreneurship, NSITE equips you with the professional tools, training, and resources you need to succeed. The first step? 🎧 Dive into one or all of these episodes on the Heard & Empowered podcast and listen to the conversations between our host, Hoby Wedler, Ph.D. and the featured NSITE guests: ⭐️ Episode 2: How NIB Works and How NSITE Connects the Blind to Job Opportunities with Jonathan Lucus, EdD, MPA, EML. ⭐️ Episode 5: Douglas Goist on Shame About His Blindness, Hitting Rock Bottom, and Helping Others Succeed. ⭐️ Episode 36: How #AI is Changing Jobs and Creating Opportunities for People Who Are Blind with NSITE’s Doug Goist. ⭐️ Episode 37: NSITE and Corporate America: Creating Job Opportunities for People Who Are Blind or Low Vision with Dr. Jonathan Lucus. ⭐️ Episode 38: Resumes and Recruiting for People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired with NSITE’s Maurice Crittendon. ⭐️ Episode 39: Free Resources and Tools for Job Seekers Who Are Blind or Have Low Vision — a partnership between NSITE and the American Printing House for the Blind's ConnectCenter with Marianne Haegeli, Richard Rueda, and Lori Scharff. Explore these powerful NSITE episodes and discover more in our podcast library, where you'll find stories of success, resilience, and the drive to help people with #blindness or low vision build fulfilling careers and make their dreams come true. Visit https://lnkd.in/gQwEHfPt (NOTE: For image accessibility, open carousel slides in full-screen mode.)

🗣“[At NSITE] we build a learning roadmap and take it all the way to employment. We keep in touch to make sure we are there when they need us again, either for up-skilling or a career change.” — Marianne Haegeli, Director of Learning and Leadership at NSITE In this week’s episode of the Heard & Empowered podcast by National Industries for the Blind (NIB), host Hoby Wedler, Ph.D. engages in a compelling discussion with three leaders who are at the forefront of empowering job seekers who are #blind, have #lowvision, or are #neurodiverse. 🎙 Our guests: 🤩 Marianne Haegeli, Director of Learning and Leadership at NSITE 🤩 Richard Rueda, Assistant Director of the APH Connect Center 🤩 Lori Scharff, Lead Content Contractor for Careers and Employment at APH Connect Center The conversation dives into the groundbreaking collaboration between NSITE—NIB's talent management enterprise— and the American Printing House for the Blind (#APH) ConnectCenter via its CareerConnect initiative, an employment information resource that can help connect job seekers with #visionloss or #blindness to the resources they need to get a job. In this episode you'll discover the Job Seeker’s Toolkit: an accessible, self-paced, free online training course that helps students and job seekers who are blind or low vision, develop career exploration and job-seeking skills. This free toolkit equips job seekers with the tools they need to craft standout resumes, make informed decisions on disclosing disabilities, and find the right career fit—all while staying connected with the support they need to succeed. 🎧 Don’t miss out—listen to the full episode now at https://lnkd.in/eEWW3WXa and take the next step in your career journey! #InclusiveWorkforce #CareerDevelopment #JobSeekersToolkit #ProfessionalGrowth

🚀 Today we released a powerful episode of the Heard & Empowered podcast by National Industries for the Blind (NIB), hosted by Hoby Wedler, Ph.D. 🚀 The conversation focuses on how a strategic partnership between NSITE and the American Printing House for the Blind's (APH) Connect Center is reshaping the future of employment for people who are #blind, have #lowvision, or are #neurodiverse. Our distinguished guests: 👥 Marianne Haegeli, Director of Learning and Leadership at #NSITE 👥 Richard Rueda, Assistant Director of the APH Connect Center 👥 Lori Scharff, Lead Content Contractor for Careers and Employment at APH Connect Center Together, they discuss how this collaboration supports job seekers with #blindness or low vision in securing positions across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors, facilitated through NSITE’s job board, NSITE Connect. And not only that, in this episode you’ll also discover how the Job Seeker’s Toolkit—a resource born from this partnership—can elevate your career journey by helping you: 💼 Craft a standout resume that can be tailored for any job, setting you apart in a competitive market. 💡 Decide on disability disclosure by figuring out when, how, and whether to share this information, so you can make strategic career decisions. 🎯 Target the right opportunities by avoiding the scattergun approach of applying to numerous positions with no results, ensuring you align with roles that truly fit your skills and ambitions. 🤝 Strengthen your networking and communication skills to effectively connect with potential employers. 🎉 And, guess what? It’s completely FREE! Whether you’re an employer looking to tap into a diverse talent pool or a job seeker looking to take the first or next step in your career, this episode offers valuable insights and practical advice that you don’t want to miss. 🎧 Listen to the episode now at https://lnkd.in/eEWW3WXa and get started with your Job Seeker’s Toolkit right away! #JobSeekersToolkit #InclusiveWorkforce #CareerDevelopment #ProfessionalGrowth #JobBoard #Jobs #NowHiring

🔊 Attention Employers and Employees: Discover how to create a workforce where every employee thrives! Tomorrow, Wednesday, join us on the Heard & Empowered podcast by National Industries for the Blind (NIB) for a powerful discussion that could redefine your approach to workforce development. In this week's episode, our host, Hoby Wedler, Ph.D. engages with three industry leaders who are at the forefront of career advancement for people who are #blind or have #LowVision. They discuss a groundbreaking collaboration between NSITE—NIB’s talent management enterprise— and the American Printing House for the Blind (APH) ConnectCenter, the largest collection of resources and information on #blindness and low vision housed by the American Printing House for the Blind. Here's a glimpse of the insights you'll gain: 🔸 Marianne Haegeli, Director of Learning and Leadership at #NSITE, shares her strategic approach to creating career pathways that don’t just stop at landing the first job but continue to foster long-term #ProfessionalGrowth. You'll discover how partnerships with #APH and industry giants like Cisco are making a real difference. 🔸 Richard Rueda, Assistant Director of the APH ConnectCenter, discusses his innovative work in building resources that empower job seekers with blindness or low vision to enter and excel in the workforce. You'll learn how the APH ConnectCenter—via its CareerConnect initiative—is revolutionizing access to career information and support. 🔸 Lori Scharff, APH ConnectCenter Lead Content Contractor for Careers and Employment, delves into the Job Seeker’s Toolkit, an accessible, self-paced, and free online training course that helps people who are blind or low vision develop career exploration and job-seeking skills. You'll find out how you can access and use it, and how you can get additional and personalized help should you need it. If you're an employer aiming to leverage a diverse talent pool, or a job seeker pursuing a new job or career growth, this conversation is a must-listen. Don’t forget to set a reminder for tomorrow’s episode release so you don’t miss out! ⏰ And in the meantime — whether you’re leading the way, searching for job opportunities, or advancing in your current role — dive into our past episodes at https://lnkd.in/gQwEHfPt and take actionable steps toward creating or being part of a thriving, inclusive workforce. #WorkforceDevelopment #InclusiveHiring #CareerGrowth #APHConnectCenter #Leadership #ProfessionalDevelopment #Jobs #Careers #JobBoard

Ready to take your career to the next level? 🚀 If you’re #blind or have #LowVision, NSITE Connect offers a job board designed specifically to help you find the right opportunities. These five tips can guide you on your journey to success: 🔍 Use filter options to narrow jobs. 🔔 Create alerts for new postings. 🌍 Explore roles with remote options. 📚 Get the free Jobseeker's Toolkit. 💼 Use NSITE’s job prep resources. Maurice Crittendon, senior specialist for talent acquisition at NSITE, breaks down how easy it is to get started in this week’s episode of the Heard & Empowered podcast by National Industries for the Blind. From #JobSearch strategies to professional training and personalized support, NSITE and NSITE Connect are your best tools for career growth and success. 🎧 Listen to the full episode here: https://lnkd.in/exQ96cmW and then, explore the job board at jobs.nsite.org. And if you need assistance at any point along the way, the awesome team at NSITE.org is ready to help you navigate your path to success. #InclusiveHiring #CareerDevelopment #NSITEConnect #JobSearch #NowHiring

Inclusive hiring strengthens organizations. 🔗 Inclusive hiring isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s a smart business decision. In this week’s episode of the Heard & Empowered podcast by National Industries for the Blind, Maurice Crittendon, senior specialist for talent acquisition at NSITE, shares invaluable insights on the impact of diverse perspectives in the workplace. “Hiring somebody from the community who has different life perspectives, who brings different skills and experiences to the table, only strengthens the organization,” said Maurice in conversation with our host, Hoby Wedler, Ph.D. Listen to the episode and discover how NSITE Connect — a job board uniquely tailored to people who are blind or have low vision — is pioneering new opportunities for candidates with blindness seeking employment, and why this is a talent pool you can’t afford to overlook. Don’t miss this insightful conversation. Listen now: https://lnkd.in/exQ96cmW #InclusiveHiring #DiversityInclusion #TalentAcquisition #ProfessionalDevelopment #NSITEConnect #Jobs #NowHiring

Discover how inclusive hiring practices are reshaping the future of work! 🤩 This week on the Heard & Empowered podcast by National Industries for the Blind, we’re spotlighting an initiative that’s opening doors and redefining what’s possible. Join Hoby Wedler, Ph.D. as he sits down with Maurice Crittendon, senior specialist for talent acquisition at NSITE, to discuss how NSITE Connect — a job board tailored exclusively for people who are blind or have low vision — is connecting talent with inclusive employers. This is truly a career catalyst for folks with #blindness or #LowVision. Here’s what you’ll gain from this powerful conversation: 🌟 Strategic talent matching: Learn how #NSITEConnect curates #JobOpportunities that perfectly align with candidates’ skills and aspirations, ensuring a meaningful and successful match. 📊 Mastering the modern job market: Find out how NSITE’s comprehensive training and professional certification programs are helping job seekers to thrive in today’s competitive landscape. 🔗 Building an outstanding LinkedIn presence: Discover how NSITE is empowering candidates to create or enhance LinkedIn profiles that truly reflect their strengths and potential to capture the attention of top-tier employers. 🎯 End-to-end support: From resume building to job placement, find out how #NSITE provides personalized assistance at every step of the journey, ensuring candidates are fully prepared to succeed. Maurice’s insights are a must-listen for any employer committed to fostering diversity in the workplace or for any candidate or employee looking to advance their own career journey. 🎧 Dive into the full episode now at https://lnkd.in/exQ96cmW and see how NSITE is paving the way for a more inclusive workforce in favor of people who are #blind or have low vision. #InclusiveHiring #TalentAcquisition #CareerDevelopment #DiversityAndInclusion #ProfessionalGrowth #NSITEConnect #Jobs #NowHiring