NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / January 3, 2023 /
Welcome to Expedia Group, Cathy! Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your career for our readers?
I come from a large family of LatinX heritage. My parents had no formal education and their English was still poor when I was growing up. discovered. Both parents felt overwhelming self-responsibility, guilt, helplessness, and fear for their children. Given the social stigma, isolation, and misinformation about disability in the larger society, this reaction is almost inevitable. Moreover, like many parents in communities of color, my parents instinctively knew that as a Latino and a person with a disability, I would experience many layers of barriers to success in mainstream society. I actually knew
As a teenager, I was involved in various political/social movements.My experiences in these social justice environments began to shape my sense of purpose in life. So many of my values were formed and I learned a lot about working with different types of people on a daily basis.
I had the opportunity to spend two months in Japan as part of a youth exchange program, travel to Nicaragua to organize for disability rights, and spend three years in Mexico when my partner and I adopted our son. did. These experiences exposed me to the realities of most disabled people in developing countries. There are few sidewalks, no transportation, no services, and disability is not recognized as a social problem. The opportunity to leave the United States and experience different cultural values, beliefs, and approaches to disability has helped me understand my own struggles in the United States, where individuality and independence are highly valued and We have further deepened our commitment to human rights.
In 1988, I entered San Francisco State University. I was the first in my family to receive higher education and graduated with a degree in Speech and Communication Studies. Through my experience organizing communities, I realized that I was good at connecting people and communicating with them, and I really enjoyed that. rice field.
Since then, he has held many jobs advocating for people with disabilities, including serving as Assistant Secretary of Labor for two major non-profits and leading the Disability/Accessibility Initiative at Wells Fargo Bank. She now works for Expedia.
What appealed to you about Expedia Group (EG)?
I was very happy with my previous job at a disability advocacy nonprofit and was not necessarily looking for another job. Did. I have traveled a lot in my life and traveling is a very meaningful experience for me. I knew that joining EG meant helping people with disabilities have a better travel experience. I also loved the idea of contributing to her EG mission that travel is a force for good.
Vice President, what impact do you want to make when you step into your role as disability inclusion?
First and foremost, we want people in the travel industry to understand that disability is a natural part of the human condition and that more and more people with disabilities are traveling. , we want to build a bench of advocates and advocates for disability and accessibility awareness, both internally and externally, regardless of which of our partners we are targeting.
We are now beginning to launch strategies to make EG more welcoming to people with disabilities. For example, we are streamlining the accommodation/coordination process to provide candidates with a better interview experience and providing recruiters and hiring managers with the tools to effectively recruit and employ people with disabilities. We are also working on a self-identification process to allow employees to safely disclose their disability. On the employee side, we know that the biggest obstacle to disclosure is fear. The more conversations we have about weaving disability into our consciousness, practices and processes, the more comfortable people are with coming out as disabled, and together we can create more comfortable places to work and travel. Build your experience.
What are your thoughts on the current state of disabled travel?
Travel destinations are becoming more and more accessible due to different laws and rules in each country. But there are still many opportunities. We have a great opportunity to work with our travel partners to identify accessibility features and share information about properties that offer specific accessibility options. This allows travelers to make more informed travel decisions.
What advice would you give to people with disabilities who are looking to advance their careers?
My advice to people with disabilities is to understand that companies are very interested in your perspective and perspective. It brings so much innovation and creativity to the industry that it’s worth hiring.
Disability intersects with all other identities, so it is important to be able to contribute and participate in all aspects of the workplace and travel market. As we do so, we will raise awareness, change attitudes, and enable people of all abilities to take advantage of the opportunities that both work and travel offer.
we are hiring! Learn more about Expedia Group’s role here.
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contact info:
Spokesperson: Expedia Group
Website: https://www.expediagroup.com/media/default.aspx
Email: info@3blmedia.com
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View source version on accesswire.com:
https://www.accesswire.com/733914/Kathy-Martinez-My-Journey-to-Becoming-VP-Disability-Inclusion-at-Expedia-Group
