Episode 7: Disability and the Workforce: Why Are We Still Fighting for Inclusion?

In this powerful episode of Breaking Barriers, Angel Heaven Lee tackles a fight that should’ve been over decades ago - workplace inclusion for people with disabilities.

Despite being skilled, driven, and ready to work, disabled individuals still face shocking rates of unemployment, inaccessible hiring practices, and outdated policies that keep us locked out of opportunity. Angel is joined by guest Grady Gambrell, a passionate advocate and digital media professional, to unpack the myths, barriers, and systemic failures that still exist today.

💡 Whether you're disabled, an ally, an employer, or just someone ready to learn and do better - this episode will challenge you to rethink what real equity looks like in the workplace.

🔍 Topics we cover:

• The hard stats on disability and employment

• Busting common myths about disabled workers

• Why accessibility isn’t optional—it’s essential

• The end of subminimum wage in South Carolina

• How fear of losing benefits holds people back

• Local efforts creating real change—and what more we need

• What you can do to fight for inclusion in your workplace and community
  

📞 Call Your Lawmakers - Demand an end to subminimum wage. Push for funding for disability hiring programs.

👉 https://www.scstatehouse.gov/legislatorssearch.php

🏢 Support Disability-Owned Businesses - If the job market won’t include us - we’ll build our own spaces.

📣 Educate Employers - If you’re in HR or leadership, get serious about accessibility and learn the real benefits of hiring disabled talent.

🛑 Speak Up - Talk about ableism. Call it out. Keep the conversation going - at work, at school, in your community.🎧 Listen now, share widely, and help us break the barriers once and for all.