Glenda Watson Hyatt:  Panel Discussion 3

Glenda Watson Hyatt is perhaps the most prominent and formidable voice advocating for Canadians living with speech disabilities. And, pardon the pun: That's saying something. Watson Hyatt's lived experience with cerebral palsy may seem to stand in the way of traditional speech communication. But few people have said as much, nor resonated so broadly than her.

Watson Hyatt refuses to allow those living with speech disabilities to not be heard. Her research "Recruiting, hiring, and retaining employees with speech disabilities in Canada" attracted partnership from the Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work (CCRW). The collaboration used qualitative and quantitative methods to gain insights into the experiences in job search, hiring, retention and promotion for Canadians with speech disabilities. The work uncovered barriers at social, organizational and systemic levels, emphasizing the need for greater education among employers and a societal shift in perceptions about employing people with speech disabilities.

Watson Hyatt is a change agent. Her work: pioneering. Her approach: tenacious. Because those with speech disabilities should be heard.

In her role as a communication access advocate, she is an author and, yes, a keynote speaker. And she proves daily that someone with a speech disability still has a powerful voice.