Episode 49: Ingrid Palmer - A win for one is a win for everybody - *How we improve as people when we include those with disabilities

Ingrid Palmer has had her challenges growing up. From a rare disease that caused her voice to sound as deep as a man's and hair to grow on her face, to visual impairment - nobody gave her a break at first. But her attitude and determination prevailed, and now she is making a huge difference in the world of inclusion for those with impairments. Be prepared to be inspired by this wonderful story of perseverance and having a positive attitude, no matter what.

About Ingrid:

As a visually impaired Black woman with a gender non-conforming characteristic, and 8 years of foster care after sexual abuse my life trajectory seemed to be on a statistical track to nowhere. Determined to exceed expectations, Ingrid Palmer dug deep inside herself, refusing to allow the external forces of systemic and social discrimination and stigma to determine how her life outcome would unfold.

Despite the odds, she graduated from high school, college and university. The same situations that had once threatened to bury her became the platform on which she built a successful, empowering, and fulfilled career in advocacy.

Today, she is a powerful champion of marginalized voices by using her impactful narratives to break down barriers and connect people on a deeper level. she turned her challenges into triumphs, thereby paving new pathways to equity, diversity and inclusion.

Ingrid Palmer is a diversity and inclusion consultant, program coordinator, and the founder and CEO of ‘Focus On Ability’. As a partially sighted woman of color, former foster child, and having a gender non-conforming characteristic, Ingrid works with organizations to break down stereotypes and build stronger and supportive connections.

Ingrid believes in the potential and value of every individual in society. As an advocate, she is committed to amplifying marginalized voices and has championed equity, diversity and inclusion in the child welfare, disability, education, housing, and poverty sectors. 

Ingrid is a diversity and inclusion consultant, program coordinator, and the founder and CEO of ‘Focus On Ability. As a partially sighted woman of color, former foster child, and having a gender non-conforming characteristic, Ingrid works with organizations to break down stereotypes and build stronger and supportive connections.

Ingrid believes in the potential and value of every individual in society. As an advocate, she is committed to amplifying marginalized voices and has championed equity, diversity, and inclusion in the child welfare, disability, education, housing, and poverty sectors.  Political Action Committee, a Community Mentor, member of Black Voices United, and Disability Next Media Lab(D-Next).

The beginning of your life May have been awful, but the rest of your life doesn’t have to be. Everyone has value and a place in the world, and a win for someone else is a win for you too.

Organizations looking to build stronger connections and relationships amongst their workforce, and between the clients they serve. Nonprofits and agencies working with marginalized groups and educators.

“When you dig deep into your challenges, you mine the very ingredients necessary to overcome them.”
“When you dig deep into your vulnerabilities, you mine the seeds necessary to grow your strength.”

Now she is part of: The Right to Housing Toronto initiative.
Moderating bold conversations on issues of Equity
Connecting federally regulated businesses with the disability community.
Creating disability media content.

Ms. Palmer is an award-winning inspirational speaker, author, certified in group facilitation, diversity and inclusion, and mental health first aid.  Ingrid holds the distinction of being the only individual to be honored with the “Friends of Macaulay” award, and the first former foster child to sit on the board of the girl's group home where she resided.

IG: @focusonabilitylife
IN: Ingrid Palmer
FB: Ingrid Palmer