Summary
The January 2026 Issue of The Latest: Disability Tax, Passion for Accessibility, and Early Wins.
Welcome to the January issue of The Latest! Where we’re focused on the small moments that bring purpose and clarity.
Unexpected Comparisons
If any of you have gone to see the musical “Hamilton”, maybe you remember the scene where Hamilton is writing and writing and writing with pages flying off his desk.
His wife, Eliza, stands on the side and sings “Why do you write like you’re running out of time? Why do you write like you’re trying to survive?”
Hamilton was writing to save himself and his legacy. He was truly racing against his own internal clock.
I remember sitting in the audience and choking up.
Not only because of the poignancy of that moment for Hamilton.
But also because I felt tied to that sense of urgency —
Of time slipping through my fingers.
The visual of the dancers and the music and the words all swirling?
That storm was inside my heart.
I felt the heavy, cumulative effect of years of time scarcity.
- Those emails that meant I was even later getting home to my family.
- Those meeting marathons that meant I neglected my health.
- Those end of year let downs — where instead of celebrating the wins I felt regret for the potential that never materialized.
And while they never said anything, I am sure that my family and my team alike all felt the impact of that internal anxiety and stress of my relationship with time.
And until I truly understood the heart of the matter — that I had my self worth bound up in my productivity and rate of success – I could never escape this feeling of time ever flowing away from me.
I know now that “doing more” was my way of:
- Confronting low expectations about my hearing loss
- Managing dismissive attitudes about work in disability
- Coping with an inaccessible world and a huge disability tax
Doubling or tripling down was one successful strategy for exceeding those expectations. But it came with a cost.
I see this same thing in my own disabled students — working so hard just to get to a place where they feel like they are “enough”.
I hear the same stories in my disabled colleagues — living in fear that people think they cannot do the job.
Which brings us back to my WHY of accessibility.
It’s not just because of legal compliance.
It’s about human potential.
Mine, yours, everyone.
Accessibility is how we build workplaces where our people are not just working to survive — they are creating to thrive.
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I share insights like these in my signature key note, Unlocking Hidden Talent as the Key to Success: Give Your Team a Chance to Surprise You.
To learn more, click the link below!
Unlocking Hidden Talent Keynote Spec Sheet
Disability Center Research Portal is Launched!
The National Disability Center for Student Success has launched its Research Portal — a central place to find all of our publications, presentations, reports examining different factors that impact disabled students in higher education.
A special thank you to Mytra Berry for leading this effort!
Professional Development at your Fingertips
Whether you are running a book club, an ERG meeting or a lunch and learn — Disability Is Human is an accessible (pun intended) and heart-felt read.
Complete with the Official Workbook — full of individual and group activities that leverage the power of the arts to build understanding, dialog, and community.
One small moment at a time.
Thumbnail versions of Disability Is Human book and official workbook covers. They are bright green and lilac, with purple square drop decorative elements.
Two book covers side by side – Disability Is Human book on left, and The Official Workbook on right.
Available in Print, Large Print, Audio Book and eBook Formats!
And Finally…
This photo takes you behind the scenes of a website refresh, complete with new resources, offerings, and yes, studio pics. Can’t wait to share this update with you!
Studio shot of Stephanie in a black blazer with grey cuffs and a black and red checkered shirt. She’s resting her hand on her chin, leaning against. chair, and is smiling directly at the camera.