Be open to learning

When I was in high school, I wanted nothing more than to have a part time job. With a bit of extra money, I could put it towards school and planning for my future. Applying to your first job can be intimidating for anyone, but for someone who lives with a disability, the process is even more stressful.

I still remember my first job interview ever. I felt lucky at first because the interviewer knew me from my previous volunteering work and was aware that I have a visual impairment. When I arrived at the location of the interview, the room had a big glass door which was an obstacle for me. Initially, I hesitated to go into the room because I was worried about interrupting the interview before me. I have a bit of useful sight, so eventually I was able to tell that only the interviewer was in the room and decided to walk in. The interviewer immediately made a comment to me saying, “What were you waiting for? Did you not see the bright orange shirt I was wearing?” At that moment, I knew I didn’t want to be in a work environment where I didn’t feel welcome.

This was a pivotal point for me – realizing how prevalent systemic barriers are for people with disabilities in employment and education. I’m not someone who gives up easily, and I’m grateful to have had a phenomenal career because there are a lot of people who would have been discouraged after a negative experience like that.

This has inspired me to do my part in creating a future where people with disabilities don’t have to encounter these types of setbacks; where young, eager kids with disabilities can have the same opportunities as others and can start building critical skills early in life. It’s why I volunteer in my spare time with organizations that help maximize the potential of people with disabilities.

I see my role in Human Resources as an extension of this. It is an opportunity to empower others and make a difference. I’ve always been interested in how strategy meets people, and I want to empower others to be open to learning. At Microsoft, there’s a common phrase of having a learn-it-all and not a know-it-all mindset. My advice to others is to be open to learning about other perspectives and to actively seek feedback on how you can create more accessible and inclusive environments for all. We are all unique, so we should each be treated with compassion and patience. People don’t realize how many people around them have disabilities and that they need things to be designed in an inclusive and accessible manner.

Diversity and disabilities are formidable strengths in today’s workplace. In my role, I’ve been able to break down accessibility barriers so that employees, managers, and all people within our organization can thrive. I hope more people reflect on how they can help make the world a more accessible place.