00:00:01:08 - 00:00:32:05 Lukas Sukal Welcome to the Fit2LEAD podcast series, where we explore the skills, strategies, and mindsets that shape the leaders of tomorrow. My name is Lukas Sukal, and I am an Innovation Manager at myAbility. Today, we will focus on a crucial question: How can we sustainably remove barriers for people with disabilities in the workplace and promote inclusion? This question concerns not only leaders but also those who aspire to leadership positions. 00:00:32:07 - 00:01:01:06 Lukas Sukal My guest today is Gregor Demblin, a successful entrepreneur and founder of initiatives such as Career Moves, myAbility, and Tech2People. Through his projects, he has already made significant contributions to creating an inclusive working environment. Today, he will share valuable insights from different perspectives, ranging from entrepreneurial experience to innovative solutions. Dear Gregor, thank you for taking the time to join us today. 00:01:01:08 - 00:01:07:09 Lukas Sukal Tell us a little about your journey and how you arrived at your current work. 00:01:07:11 - 00:01:41:15 Gregor Demblin Yes, everything always traces back to one key moment when I had my accident. At the age of 18, I dramatically jumped into the water and, in that very second, lost my ability to move. Days later, I learned that I had a spinal cord injury. My work stems from the experiences I had afterward—realizing how differently life is perceived and how people treat you when you suddenly use a wheelchair. 00:01:41:17 - 00:02:19:21 Gregor Demblin I found this experience extremely unpleasant. I felt that I was no longer taken as seriously as before. People were uncertain and didn’t know how to handle the situation when a wheelchair user entered a room. I felt a deep urge to change this. Through my personal experience, I delved deeper into the topic of disability and saw that, while many had worked politically to make changes, there were also great opportunities within the business world that remained untapped. 00:02:19:21 - 00:02:48:13 Gregor Demblin Over the years, I realized that businesses have a vital role to play in inclusion and equal opportunities—especially regarding employment and the marketplace. This led to the foundation of myAbility: a highly competent team with a vast network of companies that understand that addressing the needs of people with disabilities is not just a social responsibility but also an economic advantage. 00:02:48:15 - 00:03:30:11 Gregor Demblin Businesses that prioritize accessibility and inclusion are not only better employers but also develop products that serve a wider audience. By understanding the economic importance of accessibility, companies can create long-term sustainable strategies that benefit everyone. 00:03:30:13 - 00:03:46:05 Gregor Demblin myAbility has been around for over ten years now, well established in the German-speaking world, offering various services to businesses and directly to people with disabilities. However, myAbility emerged from my first company, Career Moves, a job platform. How did that idea come about? 00:03:46:07 - 00:04:08:11 Gregor Demblin At first, I thought that if we placed many people with disabilities in companies through a job platform, colleagues would learn how to interact naturally, work together, and eventually drive societal change from within the economy. This approach was correct, but over time, I realized that the issue was much larger than just recruitment. 00:04:08:13 - 00:04:37:15 Gregor Demblin Statistics show that 15-20% of a company’s workforce already has a disability, whether disclosed or not. Additionally, businesses interact with customers with disabilities. Career Moves initially focused only on recruitment, but I soon recognized the need for a more comprehensive approach, which led to the development of myAbility. 00:04:37:17 - 00:05:14:17 Gregor Demblin We saw that supporting companies holistically—from top management to workplace adjustments—was crucial. Companies begin at different points; some have already implemented inclusive measures, while others are just starting. myAbility now offers tailored solutions to companies at various stages of their inclusion journey. 00:05:14:19 - 00:05:49:08 Gregor Demblin One of the biggest barriers in the workplace is mental: many assume disability is more complex than it actually is. Businesses often focus on what won’t work instead of what can. For example, a healthcare organization might hesitate to hire a wheelchair user, forgetting that the majority of disabilities are unrelated to mobility. 00:05:49:10 - 00:06:20:15 Gregor Demblin Changing these perceptions is key. Many companies fear costly accessibility adjustments, but most workplaces are already accessible to many types of disabilities. The real first step is openness—companies should start by engaging with the topic rather than worrying about potential costs. 00:06:20:15 - 00:06:53:01 Gregor Demblin Leaders should openly discuss disability, ask employees what they need, and avoid making assumptions. People with disabilities are the best experts on their own needs. A company that fosters open conversations and takes small steps will quickly realize inclusion is far less complicated than imagined. 00:06:53:03 - 00:07:12:13 Lukas Sukal Gregor, as a leader and entrepreneur, do you have recommendations for businesses and executives looking to create more inclusive workplaces? 00:07:12:15 - 00:07:36:07 Gregor Demblin Absolutely. The biggest mistake companies make is avoiding the topic altogether. The key is to engage with employees, ask questions, and understand their needs. Avoid assumptions and recognize that employees with disabilities can provide valuable insights into workplace adjustments. [The conversation continues with further insights on leadership, inclusion, and the role of technology in accessibility.] 00:24:23:13 - 00:24:26:12 Lukas Sukal Gregor, thank you very much for your time. 00:24:26:14 - 00:24:27:16 Gregor Demblin Thank you for having me.