Why Thinking Differently Drives Results – Disability Inclusion with Weslie Ricks

In this compelling episode of Talking TA, host Denise Chaffin welcomes Weslie Ricks, a global accessibility and disability consultant and founder of Divergent Talent Consulting. Together, they dive deep into the evolving conversation around neurodiversity, disability inclusion, and the return on investment for accessible hiring practices. Weslie shares eye-opening insights on the challenges neurodivergent individuals face in the workplace—from outdated interview processes to inaccessible environments—and provides a global perspective on the legal frameworks and best practices driving inclusive innovation. Whether you're a talent leader, HR professional, or business executive, this episode reveals why accessible design and inclusive hiring aren’t just good ethics—they’re smart business strategy.

Key Episode Segments:

• Neurodiversity Explained – Weslie breaks down the broad spectrum of neurodivergent conditions, such as ADHD, autism, and dyslexia, and how they shape communication and working styles.

• Barriers in Hiring – Outdated hiring norms like eye contact and vague communication disadvantage neurodivergent candidates, often filtering out high-potential talent.

• Global Legislation Matters – Countries like those in the EU have enforced strict accessibility laws, while the U.S. lags behind in enforcing and advancing disability inclusion.

• Universal Design Helps Everyone – From captions to quiet rooms, accommodations designed for neurodivergent workers often benefit all employees, proving the ‘curb cut effect.’

• ROI of Accessibility – Inclusive hiring boosts innovation, engagement, and retention. Companies like Microsoft and Genentech have seen measurable gains from disability-focused programs.