Four Women with Disabilities from History You May Have Overlooked&nbsp; Women with disabilities are powerful, complex, and accomplished people with valuable insights. Unfortunately, many famous women from history have had their disability identity erased from their legacy in the historical record. By highlighting women with disabilities from history, we honor these women&rsquo;s legacies and send a message to today&rsquo;s women with disabilities that they have the power to be tomorrow&rsquo;s leaders. 
With that in mind, here are four women with disabilities from history you may have overlooked:
&nbsp;
Harriet Tubman. Most famous for being a conductor on the Underground Railroad, Harriet Tubman was an escaped enslaved woman who dedicated her life to assisting other enslaved people escape to freedom. She acquired <a href="https://msmagazine.com/2022/02/10/harriet-tubman-disability-democracy/">several disabilities</a> <a href="http://www.harriet-tubman.org/early-life/">as a direct result of her enslavement</a> and had frequent headaches, narcolepsy, and seizures throughout her life. More recently, <a href="https://muse.jhu.edu/article/730157">academics are beginning to highlight</a> the role her disabilities played in her prominence as a freedom fighter.

Frida Kahlo.&nbsp;Frida Kahlo was a famous Mexican painter whose work centered around themes of pain, self-image, and beauty. While most people know Frida Kahlo&rsquo;s imagery and bold self-portraits, her <a href="https://deyoung.famsf.org/kahlo-identity">experience with chronic pain</a> is consistently erased from accounts of her life. After a childhood experience with polio and a severe bus accident, Frida Kahlo often used a wheelchair and many times painted from her bed. Some <a href="https://newhistories.group.shef.ac.uk/disabled-impressionism-art-through-the-eyes-of-frida-kahlo/">critics believe</a> that it is this experience that makes her work so powerful.
&nbsp;
Fannie Lou Hamer. Born into a poor sharecropper family in rural Mississippi, Fannie Lou Hamer found her calling as <a href="https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/fannie-lou-hamers-dauntless-fight-for-black-americans-right-vote-180975610/">a voter&rsquo;s rights activist</a> when she was in her mid 40s. Hamer also had polio as a child, the effects of which were exacerbated by a later brutal altercation with police in a Mississippi jail. This experience <a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/676267/until-i-am-free-by-keisha-n-blain/">adds a new dimension</a> to Hamer&rsquo;s most famous quote, &ldquo;I&rsquo;m sick and tired of being sick and tired.&rdquo; 
&nbsp;
Kitty Cone. A fierce leader in the Independent Living Movement, Kitty Cone was a white lesbian disability rights activist and credited for being <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/26/obituaries/kitty-cone-overlooked.html">the &ldquo;organizational brains&rdquo; behind the Section 504</a> Sit-In protest in 1977. The sit-in is widely recognized as the longest non-violent occupation of a government building in United States history. In <a href="https://oac.cdlib.org/view?docId=kt1w1001mt&amp;brand=oac4&amp;doc.view=entire_text">her oral history of Section 504</a>, Cone notably states &ldquo;I am thankful for my disability. I feel like the constraints and the choices that it has given me have made me who I am. And, you know, I like who I am.&rdquo;

&nbsp;

Discover four women with disabilities from history who made significant contributions and left lasting legacies.

Four Historic Women with Disabilities

A workplace should be inclusive and friendly to all employees. Not all working tools are ideal for supporting all employees' activity at work. If you have disability inclusion team members, treating them right is necessary. 
 The role of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) tools is essential for supporting people with disabilities. The automated nature of AAC tools makes creating and sharing messages easier so that communication can run seamlessly. With various options available on the market, choosing one can be challenging for you. So we&rsquo;ve rolled up five top internal communication tools to support disability inclusion in your company. Keep reading! 
<h2> Grid 3 (for PC)</h2>
 Grid 3 is a comprehensive assistive software designed to help people with disabilities. It offers many features that can help them communicate easily. Also, consider using specific communication channels such as <a href="https://breadnbeyond.com/explainer-videos/">explainer videos</a> so new employees can retain crucial information better. Users can customize and control their computer environment according to their preferences. So they can personalize their working tools to provide the utmost comfort while working. The symbol communication feature allows users to choose words and phrases represented by symbols to communicate. There are ready-made grid sets available, and the editing interface is touch-friendly and easy to use. Moreover, the accessible apps in Grid 3 give access to Facebook, YouTube, email, SMS, and much more. This way, it gets easier for them to communicate and share updates with other employees. 
<h2> Predictable 5 (All Platforms)</h2>
 Predictable may appear elementary at first glance. But it is one of the best communication apps for everyday conversation with family, friends, and coworkers. Predictable offers a range of features designed to assist users in constructing sentences quickly and accurately. This feature is especially helpful for those with communication difficulties who need support making sentences in real-time. There is also backend support for all users through a free login profile. Changes made to settings and saved phrases are automatically and securely sent to the cloud, which users can transfer onto another device. 
Another feature is Floorhold, which speaks sentences while the user types their message. This feature is handy for AAC users who require time to build their responses and want their listeners to wait. Users can choose between automatic, manual, or both options to find the most suitable mode. In addition, Predictable offers five different keyboards, including a 10-key for scanning assistance and a customizable appearance with a modern and practical user interface. 
<h2>EZ Speech Pro (for iOS &amp; Android)</h2>
 EZ Speech Pro is another option to support disability inclusion employees. This app is mainly designed for those who can read but have limited ability to speak. One of the key features is Typing-to-Speech, which allows users to type in anything they want to say and press the &ldquo;Speak&rdquo; button. This feature provides a quick and easy way for individuals to communicate their thoughts and needs to others. EZ Speech also has Text Saving/Retrieval that users can use to create long paragraphs or complete speeches and save them for later retrieval. This feature ensures that users can access their pre-written messages anytime and communicate more efficiently.
&nbsp;
Moreover, EZ Speech allows users to create customized vocabularies with Topics and associated Phrases. Users can add as many Topics and phrases as they like and build a customized language. The app even comes preloaded with 13 Topics and over 350+ phrases, and users can type something and press the &ldquo;Speak&rdquo; button. This feature offers great flexibility and enables individuals to express themselves more accurately and confidently. 
<h2>Clarocom (for iOS)</h2>
 ClaroCom is an AAC app designed for iPad or iPhone. It aims to assist individuals with difficulties producing or comprehending spoken or written language. Offering text-to-speech features, it serves as a communication aid to replace speech or support writing for people with&nbsp;disabilities. Moreover, Clarocom comes in two free and paid versions that users can easily install on their iPhone or iPad. It has word and phrase predictions on a phrase bar above the keyboard. As it speaks out the phrases and sentences, the in-built voices are high-quality to provide the most natural output. 
<h2> Mind Express 4 (for PC)</h2>
 Mind Express is a communication software designed to assist people with communication disorders.&nbsp; The software draws on more than 20 years of experience supporting users worldwide, including those with cerebral palsy, autism (ASD), selective mutism, MS, MND, Down&rsquo;s syndrome, aphasia, and more, in their daily activities. Mind Express is used for various purposes, including <a href="https://onlinebizbooster.net/how-to-improve-team-communication/">communicating with partners</a>, friends, and coworkers. It also has leisure activities like playing games or watching movies. Many organizations, clinics, and schools utilize the app as a communication and teaching aid for children and adults. 
<h2>Takeaway</h2>
 Using supporting communication tools to aid employees is necessary to help them perform optimally. Some inclusive workers may already have communication tools, but companies also need to ensure that the tools they use are ideal for working. The above options are some of the best communication tools for disability-inclusive employers and can really help promote a <a href="https://spacehuntr.com/journal/15-team-building-activities-to-promote-diversity-and-inclusion/">diverse and inclusive work environment</a>. Some are available for desktop use, while others are compatible with smartphones and tablets. Besides, there are also free options available.
 Our platform is designed to connect you with the best and brightest candidates who bring unique perspectives and experiences to your team. Inclusion is not just a buzzword, it's a competitive advantage in today's rapidly evolving business landscape. Companies that prioritize equity and inclusion enjoy increased innovation, creativity, and employee satisfaction. Contact us at gettinghired@careercircle.com to take the first step toward building a more inclusive and successful workplace! 
<hr>
 Content Contributor:
Andre Oentoro is the founder of Breadnbeyond, an award-winning explainer video production company. He helps businesses increase conversion rates, close more sales, and get positive ROI from explainer videos (in that order). <img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/kWxHkXH8SqmggDXpCE9L">

Support disability inclusion with top AAC tools. Enhance your workplace communication and create an inclusive environment.

Tools to Support Disability Inclusion | Getting Hired

Tools to Support Disability Inclusion

<div class="mco-f12-article-quote-block article-quote corporateberg-block mt-2 mb-2 wrapper-story-narrow" id="mco-f12-article-quote-block-block_5f98323ca1c9b">
<div class="article-quote__content">
Diversity at Merck <a href="https://www.careercircle.com/companies/merck-co-inc-8568e34b-df56-40d7-a296-690d47fb3182" rel="follow">Merck</a> is a partner of CareerCircle, and they have made strides as being a premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company in the world. They have been inventing medicines and vaccines for many places around the world that struggle with the most difficult disease. We wanted to highlight their story about what it means to be a Veteran and working at Merck. Here are some of their stories and how they have learned to work and live this new life outside of the military.&nbsp; Martha VanDriel
<div class="title">Director, IT risk management policy</div>
</div>
</div>
From jumping out of airplanes at Fort Bragg to helping launch the Army&rsquo;s first-ever cyberspace forces, retired U.S. Army Colonel Martha VanDriel has never shied away from risk.
Indeed, one of the greatest lessons she learned during her distinguished 26-year military career is the value of stretching beyond her comfort zone. It&rsquo;s one of the reasons she excelled in the cyber field even though she&rsquo;s &ldquo;not a techie.&rdquo;&nbsp;
Today, the skills Martha used to help defend our country against cyber-attacks are the same ones she puts to work managing IT risk policy at our company. &ldquo;As a planner and policy developer, you integrate disciplines that don&rsquo;t normally work together, like IT and intelligence organizations for cyber,&rdquo; says Martha, who retired from the Army in 2017 and joined Merck the same year. &ldquo;You&rsquo;re not an expert in any of the areas, but you learn enough to be able to ask the right questions to help develop a solution.&rdquo;

<div class="mco-f12-article-quote-block article-quote corporateberg-block mb-2 wrapper-story-narrow" id="mco-f12-article-quote-block-block_5f983332a1c9c">
<div class="article-quote__content">
<div class="title">
Danielle Campbell
Operations manager, manufacturing &amp; supply</div>
</div>
</div>
&ldquo;Learning how to lead people is of paramount importance as a commissioned officer in the Air Force,&rdquo; says Danielle, who joined as an enlisted airman in 2009 and quickly advanced to the role of logistics officer.
After being a leader in the Air Force, she says, transitioning to Merck in a leadership role felt like a &ldquo;parallel career.&rdquo; &nbsp;
&ldquo;I get the opportunity to lead great people and challenging projects in both roles,&rdquo; says Danielle, who joined our company in 2019 and remains a captain in the Air Force Reserve. &ldquo;I am proud to work for a company where there&rsquo;s opportunity for growth, networking and mentoring.&rdquo;
Now part of a team that oversees vaccine production, Danielle says her experience managing multiple projects in the Air Force informs her work every day. &ldquo;Anytime I&rsquo;m approached with a task or project, I always zoom out and ask &mdash; &lsquo;what&rsquo;s the big picture, what&rsquo;s the goal we&rsquo;re trying to reach?&rsquo; &mdash; before I zoom back in,&rdquo; she says. &ldquo;This helps me to stay focused and maintain balance.&rdquo;
<div class="mco-f12-article-quote-block article-quote corporateberg-block mb-2 wrapper-story-narrow" id="mco-f12-article-quote-block-block_5f9835fea1c9d">
<div class="article-quote__content">
<h2 class="text-content"></h2>
<div class="title">
Jessica Trenti
Vice president of human resources, manufacturing division</div>
</div>
</div>
That was one of the first lessons Jessica learned in her training as an ROTC scholarship student, and after more than 25 years as a civilian, she&rsquo;s never forgotten it.
&ldquo;I learned more about leadership and accountability, more about myself, more about what I had the courage to lean into, in the military than I did before and probably have since,&rdquo; says Jessica, who was an officer in the Army Signal Corps.
Since joining Merck in 1997, Jessica has held about a dozen roles and supported nearly all of our company&rsquo;s divisions and functions in one capacity or another.
In her current role, Jessica works to help shape the talent landscape of the Merck Manufacturing Division.&nbsp; She is extremely proud of the division&rsquo;s track record in hiring and supporting veterans.
In addition, she loves seeing more women entering the workforce in fields like engineering and tech. &ldquo;Do we still have work to do? Definitely. But it feels like there&rsquo;s a significant change in terms of the kinds of roles women are progressing through and the tremendous leadership impact they are having.&rdquo;&nbsp;
<h2> Championing future leaders</h2>
Merck is proud to support veterans and women through a number of programs, from Hiring Our Heroes to the Women&rsquo;s Leadership Program.
In fact, job-seeking service members can use a military occupational specialty (MOS) code to search for opportunities, making it easier for them to match their skills with potential&nbsp;<a href="https://jobs.merck.com/veterans">careers</a>&nbsp;at our company.
Our employee business resource groups (EBRGs) offer additional support in the form of mentorship, development, networking, and camaraderie.
As executive sponsor of the Veterans EBRG, Dr. Kerry Blanchard works not only to help fellow veterans with the transition to corporate life, but also to be an ally for all employees.<picture><source data-srcset="https://i2.wp.com/www.merck.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/10/Dr-Kerry-Blanchard.jpg?fit=628%2C418&amp;ssl=1?resize=321,214" media="(max-width: 767px)" srcset="https://i2.wp.com/www.merck.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/10/Dr-Kerry-Blanchard.jpg?fit=628%2C418&amp;ssl=1?resize=321,214"></picture>
 &ldquo;Sometimes that means sitting back to listen and learn, or sharing feedback or opportunities that may not be transparent to others,&rdquo; says Kerry, vice president of global safety assessment and laboratory animal resources. &ldquo;Sometimes people just want someone to talk to.&nbsp; And, sometimes it means advocating on behalf of others.&rdquo;
&ldquo;We are making progress,&rdquo; he adds. &ldquo;But we&rsquo;ve still got work to do.&rdquo; <a href="https://www.merck.com/stories/from-the-military-to-merck-lessons-in-leadership/" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">Here is the link to check out more information!&nbsp;</a>

Discover how veterans thrive at Merck, a leader in biopharma, through inspiring stories of transition and growth.

Diversity at Merck

Learn more about free job search tools, learning opportunities, and exclusive member events.

Discover CareerCircle

Access resources to advance your job search and career growth.

Tools & Training

Explore a wide range of job opportunities that match your skills and career goals.

Search Jobs

Create a professional resume that captures the attention of top employers with our easy-to-use tool.

Resume Builder

Prepare for your next interview with our expert tips and strategies.

Interview Prep

Discover in-depth profiles of leading employers to find your ideal workplace.

Search Companies

Develop in-demand skills with curated courses for today’s job market.

Courses

Access career resources and job postings anytime, anywhere with our app.

Mobile App

Source skilled, diverse talent and build your team.

Talent Acquisition

Access skilled, diverse talent ready to excel via our AI-driven platform, virtual events, and recruitment services.

CareerCircle TalentConnect

Transform your workforce and hiring practices with targeted DEI and disability inclusion trainings.

InclusiveU

Broaden your talent pool with dedicated support for professionals with disabilities.

Getting Hired Powered by CareerCircle

Mission aligned solutions supporting Non-Profit Organizations, Educational Institutions, and Local Workforce Development Boards.

Upskilling & Job Advocacy

Upskilling solutions designed to empower members with in-demand skills training and ongoing support for successful certificate completion.

CareerReady

Job advocacy solutions to connect job seekers to inclusive employers through dedicated recruiting support.

CareerAdvocacy

Learn how we connect underserved communities with careers and build skilled, diverse talent pipelines.

About CareerCircle

Discover answers to common questions and gain insights into our goals and services.

Reach out to us for inquiries, support, or to learn more about our mission and services.

Contact

Explore our blog for latest news and trends for job seekers and employers.

Blog

Access our virtual career fairs, job seeker workshops, and employer focused webinars.

Events

Discover real-life success stories of how we’re transforming lives and building skilled, diverse talent pipelines.

Case Studies

Get the latest news and updates on our mission, partnerships, and community impact.

Staff Writer

142 Articles

Four Historic Women with Disabilities

Tools to Support Disability Inclusion

Diversity at Merck