Start Now: Matthew Shapiro on Advocacy & Workplace Accessibility
Matthew Shapiro, founder and CEO of Six Wheels Consulting, joins hosts Lily Newton and Erin Hawley for a candid conversation about language, work culture, and the everyday practice of access. Matthew unpacks how assumptions show up in daily life, why “disabled” is a valuable identifier, and what it means to balance personal energy with public advocacy.
The conversation moves from nuance in calling out ableism to concrete advice for workplaces. Matthew shares practical examples that help everyone, like standing desks and curb cuts, and invites leaders to start with simple changes that reduce friction. He challenges listeners to rethink design from the ground up and to see access as standard, not a special add-on.
Across the episode, Lily and Erin connect language to outcomes. They underline that asking for what you need benefits teams, and that many improvements cost more thought than money. The result is a grounded roadmap for anyone ready to begin, learn, and keep going.
Key Moments
- 03:36 Assumptions and the myth of “needing to be fixed”
- 07:18 The push-pull of advocacy and fatigue
- 13:31 “Own the word”: why Matthew identifies as a disabled person
- 17:08 Ableism on social media and finding useful nuance
- 31:15 Standing desks, curb cuts and designing spaces that work for all
- 41:42 How to begin: start, listen, and make a plan you will actually use
- 45:19 It is not as daunting as people think
Connect with Matthew Shapiro
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/6wheelsconsulting/
