Disability Inclusion at Work: Rethinking Disability Hiring with Gene Boes of Northwest Center

What could employers discover by challenging their assumptions about disability talent?

In this episode of Disability@Work, host Ashley Sims speaks with Gene Boes, President and CEO of Northwest Center, about how outdated perceptions of disability can block employers from hiring qualified talent. Gene shares why he encourages employers to “suspend disbelief,” get curious, and approach disability inclusion through the lens of real business challenges, including retention, productivity, quality, and safety. 

The conversation explores the return on inclusion, how data and storytelling can change employer perceptions, and a real-world example of an accommodation developed in an Amazon sortation facility that addressed safety concerns while benefiting the broader workforce. 

The episode also introduces Accessibility Minute, featuring Aaron Linson, with practical guidance on writing more useful alt text for digital content. 

In this episode:

• Challenging assumptions about hiring people with disabilities
• Connecting disability inclusion to business outcomes
• Rethinking accommodations, accessibility, and workplace safety
• Understanding the “return on inclusion”
• Using curiosity to create more inclusive workplaces
• Practical alt text guidance in Accessibility Minute

Mentioned in This Episode

• Northwest Center