Some may remember John Robinson as one of the keynote speakers at our 2014 Annual Meeting & Conference. Born a congenital amputee, John discussed his lifelong journey with our audience and shared stories that reflected his remarkable tenacity, talent and ability to show attendees what determination looks like despite his disabilities. John and Doug Hamlin, co-founders of Our Ability, will soon be sharing another journey as they make the 350-mile bicycle ride across upstate New York, via the Erie Canalway Trail, from Buffalo to Albany in support of raising awareness of the abilities inside of people with disabilities. The ride will begin at Buffalo’s Canal Side Park and will conclude on July 8 at Jennings Landing in Albany.
Our Ability founders John Robinson & Doug Hamlin embarking on their Journey along the Eric Canal in support of disability hiring initiatives.
As individuals with disabilities themselves, this journey isn’t just a one-time adventure. For the past four years, John and Doug have embarked upon this awareness ride using hand-operated cycles to complete their journey. This year’s ride also marks the launch of the New York Business Leadership Network (NYBLN)–a coalition among businesses in New York State interested in hiring and building supplier diversity of businesses owned by individuals with disabilities.
Our Ability formed the NYBLN in December of 2015 in response to Governor Andrew Cuomo’s 2014 executive order establishing the Employment First Commission to create employment opportunities for people with disabilities in New York. The executive order calls for 100 businesses to commit to formal policies to hire people with disabilities as part of their diversity strategy.
“NYBLN’s dual goals are to inspire those individuals with disabilities to achieve their dreams through education and employment as well as to educate able-bodied individuals about the differences in ability around us,” explained Robinson.
Follow the journey as they chronicle their ride and share videos about the experience via the hashtag #journeytowork, or by visiting Our Ability on Facebook. For more information about their journey or to donate to the organization’s cause, visit: http://www.ourability.com/journey-along-the-erie-canal.
