Meet Jessica Beth Mayer: President, Trainer & Consultant
I have been involved in the disability field since 1988. I began my career working on a polling site accessibility project for the City of New York. While employed by the city I worked on a project with my boss at the time involving a group of Japanese visitors with disabilities that New York City was hosting. My job was to arrange cultural excursions for them around New York City. I was good at arranging events for people with disabilities and I realized that sitting in an office all day wasn't for me.
After contracting with Chase Manhattan Bank in 1999 to become their consultant on disability issues I left my job with the City to establish my own business. In my work with Chase I did staff training, employed panelists (people with disabilities and experts on disability), worked with not-for-profits, addressed hiring issues and celebrated ADA 10 and four years of National Disability Employment Awareness Month. I was on retainer with Chase for four years.
I was the down state coordinator for the New York BLN between 2001-2002. I was involved in all aspects of the start-up including creating a mission and vision statement, creating stationery accessible to the visually impaired, assisting with out-reach, and putting together the kick-off event. I also worked on many other projects and events.
Among other places I have conducted workshops are WL Gore & Associates, Ithaca College (Keynote for the Tompkins County Diversity Round Table), the Federal Reserve Bank both of Atlanta and Boston, and the Viscardi Center. I also arranged and moderated a panel for the 2016 Conference Board Diversity Conference. I am also a facilitator for the ADL- A World of Difference Institute. I am working now with Epicenter Community on the Fashion Accessibility Project.
Since the beginning of my career I have enjoyed and benefited from collaborating. Meeting, getting to know and working with other people who may have a different way of looking at an issue is an excellent way to come up with creative solutions.