The narrative around hiring people with disabilities needs to change, according to Anthony Pacilio, vice president of neurodiverse solutions, CAI.

WorkingNation sat down with Pacilio at the 2023 Disability:IN Conference in Orlando.

Pacilio – who has social anxiety disorder and depression – says, “Twenty, 30 years ago it was a lot different than what it looks like today. How do you get people to belong? It’s by having people like myself and all the people here tell their stories, right?”

“It’s also parents who are affected by whatever it may be, if their child is dyslexic, dyspraxic, autistic – all of those things together combined experiences is what molds the belonging piece together for a company or culture.”

Pacilio says there is still more to be done, but he is optimistic about the progress being made in the hiring of people with disabilities. “Five, 10 years ago it was awareness – where we were trying to say, ‘Hey, look, there’s a talented population of individuals that are having a struggling to get employment.’”

“Now it’s turned the corner to acceptance. Hopefully in the next five or 10 years, we don’t even have to worry about this as a culture and society. I am always on the positive side of making sure that we’re going in the right direction.”

Learn more about CAI.