Speaking Engagements with Erin Perkins
Erin Perkins is the Founder of Mabely Q and identifies as deafblind, a fact that may not be immediately apparent. With the assistance of a hearing aid and cochlear implant, she can hear; without them, she is profoundly deaf. Her vision is limited to 50 degrees, so if she doesn't wave back in greeting, it's likely because she didn't see or hear the gesture.
Through her work with small business owners and coaches brought to light the widespread lack of understanding regarding accessibility. This insight led her to shift her focus towards accessibility education. Erin takes pride in teaching businesses how to be accessible, drawing upon her own life experiences to promote genuine inclusion at all levels and ensuring her teaching methods are enjoyable.
Erin's mission is driven by a passion to make the world more accessible, one business at a time. Having harbored ableist thoughts herself, especially after being diagnosed with Usher's Syndrome and facing the possibility of blindness within a decade—a prediction made over 20 years ago—she is not afraid to admit her past misconceptions. Today, she is an open book, willing to share the challenging aspects of her journey towards self-acceptance as a deafblind woman.
Speaking Highlights and Samples
GET Cities invited Erin to host a Hack for Impact dinner revolving around Accessibility. She created a series of activities to enable the attendees to create impact around accessibility in the workplace. Learn more about GET Cities here.
Girl Geek X Elevate! Erin’s session was ranked #7 by conference attendees of 23 sessions, and was rated 9.2 out of 10! 👏👏 Erin was one of the speakers who addressed #IWD2022 theme #BreakTheBias
Erin spoke on the topic of Your Ableism is Showing: How leaving disability out of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) is making you lose money. View her Shine talk here.
Erin was invited by Jordan, creator of Make Your Mark Live to speak about her journey in developing the platform. Discover her insights and watch the engaging panel discussion here!
Christina L. Glancy | Global Growth Strategist and Program Manager
“Erin is an atmosphere changer. Her leadership and compassion for accessibility is contagious and memorable. Her vulnerability, candor and welcoming attitude makes it easy for me to collaborate on multi-dimensional projects. Every time I am in a room with Erin, I learn something and am inspired to keep changing the world.”
A Note From Erin
In my workshops and talks, I share personal stories to help people see things from a new angle. I aim to inspire and give practical tips on adding accessibility and inclusion into everyday life, both professionally and personally.
Accessibility and Inclusion: It’s Not a Destination, It’s a Journey
Erin explores the ongoing commitment required to foster true accessibility and inclusion in the workplace. This talk emphasizes the importance of continuous efforts and dedication to creating an environment where everyone feels valued and empowered.
Your Ableism is Showing: The Cost of Ignoring Accessibility
We’ll focus on the significant drawbacks of overlooking accessibility in the workplace. This talk emphasizes how failing to address ableism can hinder workplace inclusivity and underscores the importance of recognizing and eliminating biases to foster a more supportive and inclusive environment for everyone.
Inclusive Marketing: Reaching a Diverse Audience
Are you truly connecting with all potential customers? This topic focuses on the necessity of inclusive marketing practices to engage a wider and more diverse audience. This talk underscores how embracing inclusivity can expand your reach and enhance brand loyalty.
Disrupting Layers of Identity: A Transformative and Collaborative Workshop
Designed for smaller groups, this topic focuses on the importance of understanding and appreciating the many layers of personal identity. This session offers a hands-on approach through guided reflection and collaborative discussion, aiming to disrupt traditional perspectives on identity, accessibility, and inclusion.
Formats
Keynote Speaker
I will be weaving in personal storytelling to deliver a powerful, engaging message. The audience will walk away feeling inspired and equipped to be allies to people with disabilities.
Small Groups/Breakouts
My personal favorite! Designed to be more intimate, allowing for interactive discussions and personalized engagement. Attendees will actively participate, ask questions, and share their own experiences, leading to a deeper understanding of the topic.
Podcast Guest
Being a podcast guest is super fun because I get to share my story and insights on how businesses can do better in supporting people with disabilities.
What you can expect from Erin
Expect me to be an open book, sharing my truths and experiences candidly to foster a genuine connection with you.
I ensure that my content is both encouraging and practical, making it feel achievable and not overwhelming, and I offer practical steps along with encouragement to help you see the feasibility of making impactful changes.
You will leave feeling empowered to voice your own experiences and perspectives, especially if you've previously felt unheard or unable to speak up for yourself.
You can work with me in various capacities, including as a keynote speaker, workshop facilitator, or podcast guest. Each session, whether in-person or virtual, is customized to your group's goals, focusing on the importance of accessibility and actionable steps for making a difference today.
Your session was ranked #7 by conference attendees of 23 sessions, and was rated 9.2 out of 10! 👏👏 We also appreciated that you were one of the speakers who addressed #IWD2022 theme #BreakTheBias. Thank you again, Erin, for submitting a talk for the conference and helping get captions enabled in our Zoom events.
— Angie Chang, CEO & Founder, Girl Geek X
Speaker rates typically start at $1500, offering flexible collaboration options tailored to your needs.
Reach out for a no-shame Q&A session where all questions are welcome and encouraged.
I’m looking forward to hearing from you! thank you for considering me as a speaker for your event!
Speaker Rates
Just a note to say I received and reviewed your materials - I love how much simplicity you bring to your recommendations, and the reminders that hey! people want your stuff but you need to make it accessible. Great job, and I can’t wait to share.
— Lanie L., OMGrowth
Let Me Address That Question For You
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Everyone! That said, my expert advice is specifically designed for:
Small businesses, Social media influencers, Mastermind groups, Networking groups, Conferences and summits, Societies and associations
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There are lots of ways to collaborate with me, such as: Podcasts, IGTV or Facebook Live, Masterminds and other private memberships, Virtual or in-person summits, Workshops, Conferences And other educational events
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I love to customize my workshops and talks to your specific goals. Here are some of the topics I’ve spoken on in the past:
— The business case for accessible and inclusive content
— How to make in-person events accessible and inclusive
— The impact of inclusivity and accessibility on social media