#083 - Equitable Education and Employment Opportunities for the Disability Community with Danny Combs

In this episode of the AdaptX Podcast, host Brendan Aylward speaks with Danny Combs, a leading voice in creating equitable futures for neurodistinct individuals in business and equality of opportunity for the entire disability community. Mr. Combs is the inaugural Director of the Colorado Disability Opportunity Office, Colorado’s senior strategic and policy agency housed in the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, working with the Governor and Lieutenant Governor to help make Colorado the best state in the country for people with disabilities. He is the founder of TACT (Teaching the Autism Community Trades), the state of Colorado’s leading transition to employment and training organization, and the co-founder of the Colorado Neurodiversity Chamber of Commerce, the first neurodiverse chamber in the country. They discuss Danny's personal journey, the importance of a strengths-based approach to neurodiversity, and the evolution of TACT from humble beginnings to a significant nonprofit. The conversation also covers the challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals in the workforce, the establishment of the Colorado Disability Opportunity Office, and the unique initiatives Colorado is implementing to support people with disabilities. Danny emphasizes the need for collaboration among organizations and the importance of creating inclusive environments in various sectors, including fitness.

Takeaways

• Danny's father inspired his passion for inclusion.
• The diagnosis of autism was initially met with resistance.
• A strengths-based approach is crucial for neurodivergent individuals.
• The trades offer valuable opportunities for neurodivergent individuals.
• Employers often ask the wrong questions in interviews.
• TACT evolved from a mobile program to a large facility.
• Funding for nonprofits is often reliant on grants.
• The Colorado Disability Opportunity Office aims to elevate disability services.
• Colorado is leading in digital accessibility initiatives.
• Creating inclusive fitness environments requires staff education.

Keywords

inclusion, disability advocacy, neurodiversity, TACT, employment, strengths-based approach, trades, Colorado Disability Opportunity Office, fitness accessibility, nonprofit sustainability