Audience: All welcome.

Disability pride isn’t as straightforward as it might sound. In this keynote, confront the uncomfortable questions: Can you — should you — be proud of your disability? I’ll share her personal journey understanding what disability pride can actually mean as we explore the dangers of reductive thinking, the pitfalls of “overcoming” narratives, and how redefining disability pride on our own terms can be a powerful, transformative act.

Keynote presentation; 15 minutes; unlimited participants.

Looking to book a full-hour event? Add a fireside chat where Jessie is joined by wellness consultant Sumayyah Emeh-Edu to further discuss the Idea of pride and how intersectionality impacts disability experience.

Audience: Anyone interested in better understanding their own views of disability and how to be an ally.

While many companies understand the need to implement legal components related to disability in the workplace, few are confident in approaching the human side of these conversations. In this session I introduce different social models around disability and understand how they show up in daily work life. We’ll focus on creating a safe space to understand how these models impact our personal points of view and begin to explore better ways of framing conversations around disability in the workplace.

Presentation with reflection exercises; 45 min - 1 hour; maximum of 50 participants recommended, but no formal cap.

Audience: Anyone eager to understand the importance of language and learn more deeply than a “what to say and not say” list of terms.

Simply put: people are nervous they’ll say the wrong thing. In this session, Dr. Suzanne Wertheim introduces key concepts of inclusive language particularly relevant for language around disability, such as the cycle of pejoration (how word meanings become more negative) and ways we talk to people that show they are presumed incompetent. Jessie Wusthoff, disability subject matter expert, will then bring these concepts to everyday life. This includes the background of everyday terms so you understand why people prefer alternate wording, understanding person-first versus identity-first language (is it people with disabilities or disabled people?), and how to apologize and move forward when you make a mistake. Attendees will leave with greater understanding and confidence for future interactions and conversations.

Presentation; 1 hour; a maximum of 30 participants recommended, but no formal cap.

Please inquire about an extended 1.5-hour interactive offering with case studies and practice exercises.

Audience: Employees with disabilities.

Navigating the workplace as a person with a disability can be challenging, especially in environments where conversations around disability often feel unwelcome or uncomfortable. This moderated roundtable offers a supportive space to connect, share experiences, and benefit from the validation and encouragement of others who truly understand. As someone with both visible and invisible disabilities, I’ll guide this moderated conversation to help participants voice concerns, explore solutions, and build a stronger sense of community. Together, we’ll foster a space where authenticity and support thrive.

Group roundtable; 50 min; capacity limit of approximately 15 employees with disabilities.

Audience: Those unsure of how to drive disability inclusion at any career level.

Feeling excluded from inclusion?

It’s easy to feel isolated, nervous, and frustrated when trying to figure out your role when it comes to progressing employees’ experiences. You may feel left out or like the work seems to go against your beliefs.

Build confidence without criticism.

Training can be great, but simply isn't how some people experience optimal learning. People have new questions over time and many learn best through conversations. One-on-one conversations enable a safe learning space for the real questions you aren’t sure who to ask or if it’s even ok to ask. Along with coaching on actioning new insights, our convos will amplify existing knowledge and create new learnings to support successful leaders.

Interested in a service you don’t see here or a longer-term, strategic engagement? Additional offerings include program and policy equity review and “observe and report” sessions.

Please reach out to discuss how I can support your organization.