Interview
Disability inclusion in the workplace through training and education — Liebs&Co.
MaRS and CIBC Inclusive Design Challenge 2021 Winner
Organization name:
Liebs&Co.
Website:
https://liebsandco.com/
Your name?
Max Lieberman
Your role at the organization?
Founder
I disclosed to my boss and they responded with, “everyone has a learning disability”.
Let’s hear your origin story! How did you get into this work?
I started Liebs&Co. because of my experiences living with a learning disability and not being properly accommodated within the workplace. This hit a boiling point in 2019 when I disclosed to my boss and they responded with, “everyone has a learning disability”.
After hearing his response, I felt alienated and boxed in when he compared my disability without knowing it, that it’s just like everyone else. Right then and there, I realized that I am likely not the only one who goes through this, so this was my motivation to start Liebs&Co.
It’s important for organizations to understand that disabled people can not only do work that non-disabled people can, but can also thrive in management roles that can create change.
What does your organization do? What makes this important?
Liebs&Co. educates organizations to better understand disability through in person workshops and seminars. We help create a thriving work culture, where everyone is given equal opportunity to succeed.
It’s important for organizations to understand that disabled people can not only do work that non-disabled people can, but can also thrive in management roles that can create change. This is not only within an organization but the entire world because of their lived experiences as a disabled person.
How does your organization support inclusive and accessible hiring for people with disabilities?
We support inclusive and accessible hiring for people with disabilities by using new methods that help make the hiring process easier for all people, not only people with disabilities.
We then in turn, encourage organizations we work with to implement into their hiring processes. For example, we give all of our candidates the interview questions in advance, so that they can prepare properly.
We see this as a huge benefit to allow our candidates to give their best effort and to clearly organize their thoughts as people have different levels of processing skills.
What keeps you going (other than coffee)? What are you most proud of so far?
My dog, Churchill, keeps me going. He keeps me in the present and happy and loved. When you feel loved, everything else comes into place.
What I’m most proud of is realizing how helpful my story has affected others within the disability community as it has motivated others to advocate for themselves. This is very humbling to me because I never realized that my leadership skills would influence others in a self help way.
You were one of the winners of the MaRS & CIBC Inclusive Design Challenge! How will this win help you build on your mission?
This will help me build on my mission by giving us the visibility and credibility within the corporate world to chat with their leaders to implement changes that will not only create positive change, but will improve their overall culture within.
What’s the best way for people to support you?
The best way to support me is by booking me for speaking engagements, but most importantly by incorporating our suggestions into your workplace as it will have a positive impact on your company’s culture.
