Challenging Norms: Dr. Julie Eshleman on Disability, Equity, and Leadership
In this episode of Atypical 9to5, host Rayna Spasova - van Aalst speaks with Dr. Julie Eshleman, an autistic professional and freelance disability research consultant specializing in assistive technology, user experience, and disability inclusion.
Julie shares her journey as an autistic professional navigating the workplace, her approach to disability advocacy, and how she uses her research to drive meaningful change. They discuss job interviews, self-advocacy, and autistic strengths in the workplace, while also challenging misconceptions about autism and exploring ways to create truly inclusive environments.
Listen now on your favorite platform:
🔗 Spotify | 🔗 Apple Podcasts
Key Moments
🔹 00:00 – Welcome to Atypical 9to5
🔹 00:57 – Introducing Dr. Julie Eshleman
🔹 01:37 – Julie’s journey into disability inclusion
🔹 03:14 – Navigating career choices and intuition
🔹 05:59 – Embracing autism and professional identity
🔹 12:31 – Autism as a disability: A personal perspective
🔹 18:26 – Strengths and challenges in the workplace
🔹 23:02 – Developing ideas before sharing
🔹 25:58 – Navigating the hiring process
🔹 26:29 – Challenges with job interviews
🔹 33:22 – Handling rejection
🔹 37:29 – Advocating for yourself
🔹 40:59 – Common misconceptions about autism
🔹 42:20 – Connecting with Julie
🔹 43:04 – Exciting career developments
🔹 44:18 – Conclusion and farewell
About the Guest
Dr. Julie Eshleman is a freelance disability research consultant specializing in assistive technology, user experience, and disability inclusion. She holds a PhD in Sociology and Social Policy from the University of Stirling and has worked on international projects focused on inclusive design, technology integration, and improving accessibility across care, education, and employment settings.
Julie’s work emphasizes the human experience behind the data, using her background in behavior analysis and organizational psychology to help organizations understand both systemic and individual factors shaping inclusion. Her advocacy focuses on amplifying the voices of disabled people and fostering environments where everyone can thrive.
Learn more about Dr. Julie Eshleman and her work:
🌐 Website: DrJulieDisabilityInclusion.com
🔗 LinkedIn: Julie Eshleman
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Disclaimer
The stories and experiences shared in this podcast are personal to each guest. Autism and neurodiversity are unique to every individual, and we aim to celebrate that diversity rather than generalize or make universal claims.