Let's Work Inclusively with Dylan M. Rafaty

Trip Neil and Saadia Sheikh join Dylan M. Rafaty to explore how sports can foster purpose and inclusion within the disability community. Trip shares his journey founding Dallas Trinity FC and integrating disability inclusion into professional women’s soccer, and Saadia highlights PowerSense’s mission to empower deaf and hard-of-hearing youth through inclusive, fun experiences. Together, they discuss meaningful ways sports and community collaboration can break barriers and create lasting impact.

Shammah Joy, founder of the Overcomer Foundation and longtime advocate for accessibility and diffability, joins Dylan M. Rafaty to share her journey of empowerment through lived experience as a parent and entrepreneur. Together, they explore how intentional inclusivity and allyship can transform communities and foster true belonging for individuals with differences in abilities. Shammah’s innovative approaches, from the iCans book series to fostering accessibility-first mindsets in organizations, move beyond awareness to create communities of true inclusion.

What if your business could create lasting community impact while truly engaging your employees? Nick Marino Jr., Director of the Center for Business Impact at Communities Foundation of Texas, joins host Dylan M. Rafaty and shares his personal journey from a life-changing mission trip to pioneering authentic corporate philanthropy strategies that empower employees and foster sustainable community partnerships.

Dylan M. Rafaty welcomes Tiffani Martin, founder and CEO of VisioTech, to discuss her journey pivoting into the disability and technology space after losing her sight. Together, they explore how accessibility, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity intersect as powerful drivers for inclusion and business impact, highlighting Tiffani's leadership and the importance of support systems. Tune in to discover how embracing disability inclusion isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s a $13 trillion economic opportunity.

How does a city balance innovation with true accessibility? Mayor Amir Omar and City Manager Don Magner share how Richardson is redefining inclusion—from inclusive playgrounds to adaptive community events and a groundbreaking ADA transition plan. Tune in to discover how relationship-driven leadership and community engagement are shaping a city where everyone belongs.

Born profoundly deaf and a leading voice in accessible communication, Meryl K. Evans shares her personal and professional journey advocating for disability inclusion in the workplace. Together with host Dylan M. Rafaty, she explores how offering communication options and involving people with disabilities in design fosters true accessibility beyond mere compliance. This episode highlights practical strategies, technology’s evolving role, and impactful community achievements in North Texas.

“Disability inclusion thrives when we stop reinventing the wheel and start collaborating.” Mandy Noerper, National Director of Programs at ConnectIDD, shares how her team supports organizations nationwide to strengthen services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Tune in to discover how strategic partnerships and innovative program design are reshaping accessibility and empowering communities across the U.S.

Ready to be inspired? Join Dylan M. Rafaty as he chats with emerging leaders Curtis Grice, Jordan Busby, and Carolyn Kedslie on the latest episode of Let's Work Inclusively. They share their journeys through the Emerging Leaders Fellowship Program, tackling vital topics like accessibility, mental health, and the importance of community support. Discover how these passionate individuals are shaping a more inclusive future and learn how you can contribute to this movement. Tune in for insights that could spark your own leadership journey!

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Cynt Marshall, former CEO of the Dallas Mavericks and founder of Marshaling Resources, as she shares her journey toward championing inclusion and accessibility. Discover how her pivotal experiences shaped her commitment to creating equitable opportunities for all, especially in the foster care system. Tune in to learn how you can make a meaningful impact in your community by embracing fairness and engagement!