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Keith Steger (Salesforce Administrator at Red Canary) posted in Admins with Disabilities
Jan 17, 2019, 9:08 PM

Can anyone tell me where to go? 

 

I'm attempting to make the transition from Finance (20+yrs xp, CPA, MBA, etc) into Salesforce. I've obtained my Admin Cert and am working on others.

 

I have found this group and that SF has something called Abilityforce. Most everything seems to be related to helping the sight-impaired. My particular disability requires me to be in a wheelchair.

 

Does Salesforce have any assistance to help a disabled person get hired into that first proper SF position? Once I can get that first opportunity, given my track record, I am certain that I can excel in this field. I could ideally see myself well suited to bridge the gap between SF and Finance for a company or consultancy.

 

Between most jobs only advertising for "experienced" or "senior" staff and my obvious disadvantage being in a chair, I am having a very difficult time getting past the interview stage. 

 

Where can I search to find out more about this? How can I navigate the SF company to find out who to contact to learn more? Any help will be appreciated.

 

Thanks

2 comments
  1. Ashley Sisti (Salesforce)
    Jan 17, 2019, 11:30 PM

    Hi Keith,

    I work at Salesforce as well and use a wheelchair, but I worked as an admin and business analyst at two companies previously. I'd be glad to share my experience getting into these jobs, though I'm not sure there was anything specific about my disability that was a factor. Aside from just making sure the building was accessible and I would have what I needed once hired, the job itself was solely based on what I could do. My suggestion would be to look for small companies or non-profits who desperately need help with usually simple Salesforce-related work, so you can get some experience that you can then reference on a resume and talk about in an interview.

    Definitely seek out your local Salesforce User Group to offer your assistance to those companies and find opportunities. They should be a great resource for you generally on getting into the Salesforce space. Happy to chat more - I'm at

    asisti@salesforce.com

    .

    Thanks

    Ashley

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Carden Wyckoff (Support at Salesforce) posted in All Dreamforce
Oct 1, 2018, 4:18 PM

 #Abilityforce at #Dreamforce  2018 was a wonderful success!

 

Thank you to everyone who assisted guests with disabilities navigate their journey at Dreamforce including all of our volunteers & core planning team, security team for improving this year's flow, the website/ FAQ/ registration leadership team; #SWN for hosting disability advocate speakers Michelle Sullivan, & Maysoon Zayid; our exec sponsors for ongoing support & the Office of Equality for championing this initiative.

 

SUMMARY OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS

  • 202 unique volunteers
  • 750+ service hours
  • 320 persons requesting special services
  • New landing page launched this year https://www.salesforce.com/dreamforce/accessibility/
  • Blog post https://www.salesforce.com/blog/2018/09/dreamforce-18-abilityforce.html
  • Overview video shot on site during the week https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8dgnB_PHMk&feature=share
  • Speakers and Sessions
    • Guest speakers Michelle Sullivan, President and Director of Corporate Social Innovation at Caterpillar Foundation / Advocate for Little People of América & Maysoon Zayid, comedian, actress, dancer and disability advocate.
    • Accessibility UX team members Sunday Parker and Adam Rodenbeck hosted the session on “How the Salesforce Accessibility Team Drives Equality in Our Products” in the Developer Theater on Friday
    • Trailhead team hosted session “Trailhead for All: How we retrofit Trailhead for Accessibility” on Tuesday in the Fall Theater
    • Designers and developers were able to learn about building apps that anyone could enjoy at the session “Salesforce for All: A Developer’s Guide to Accessibility and Inclusive Design” on Wednesday in the Developer Theater
    • “Include Every Customer” booth in Mariott S3 Lodge demoed the importance of accessible marketing and empowered attendees to write down an action they were to take going forward
    • Ability to reserve the above sessions by searching “Accessibility” in the Salesforce a Events app
  • Low height registration tables
  • Priority seating available in all keynotes and breakout rooms
  • Early access to main keynotes
  • Reserved rest stops in common areas
  • Meditation zones w monastics for sensory relief
  • ASL interpreters for all main keynotes and Dreamfest
  • ASL roaming interpreters available on request
  • On- demand CART services for breakout sessions
  • Salesforce.com live captioning
  • Scootaround was preferred vendor for rental of mobility devices
  • Priority seating at T-Mobile charging station
  • Sharps container at First aid and some restrooms
  • Accessible shuttle via Kushner and Associates available upon request around campus and to Dreamfest
  • Designated viewing stage at Dreamfest
  • Lift into 360 Customer Experience campground station
  • Ramps added to demo stations/ lodges that required a step up
  • 6 Parents rooms including the following services:
    • Ceilings, Warm mood lighting, Water Bubbler or comparable, Hourly porter (cleaning service), Table, Wastebasket, Disinfecting wipes (natural/chemical free), Tissues, Power Outlet & Power Strip, Exterior signage included Available and Occupied, Ambassador outside, Refrigerator with signage: “The refrigeration facilities are provided for your convenience. Store your property at your own risk. Salesforce does not take any responsibility for either the equipment or any items stored inside the refrigeration facilities. Salesforce will not be liable for any loss or damage of any kind.”

We welcome your feedback via the main Dreamforce feedback link http://bit.ly/2Rb0AdU (the last comment box is where we encourage you to put it). What would you like to see next year for improving accessibility services for all?

 

(Img description: 6 amazing Abilityforce at Dreamforce volunteers smiling and standing wearing bright blue shirts.)

 

See ya next year #Trailblazers!

IMG_0085.JPG
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Carden Wyckoff (Support at Salesforce) posted in #Dreamforce
Sep 13, 2018, 4:43 PM

#Accessibility at #Dreamforce landing page is live! https://www.salesforce.com/dreamforce/accessibility/. We have 185 Salesforce employee volunteers signed up for the week who will be floating around campus in bright blue #Abilityforce t-shirts here to help make sure you are well taken care of if you need assistance.

 

I'll be roaming around campus in a space ship looking wheelchair managing all these wonderful people so stop me if you need anything! See you all soon :D

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Carden Wyckoff (Support at Salesforce) posted in Admins with Disabilities
May 7, 2018, 3:31 PM

DREAMFORCE!! **Omg how are you almost here already!?!** Last year was our 2nd time prioritizing disability access and inclusion at the event. We learned a great deal from last year's successes / misses but we still have a long way to go. We'd like to know how we can better serve you *attendees with disabilities* this year at Dreamforce. What would help you out? Anything that you did or didn't like last year?

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Mechthild Kreuser (Business Consultant at test) posted in Disability Topics
Nov 24, 2017, 1:27 PM

Hello, I am a new member of the Disability Topic group. Yesterday I noticed the inclusive images in the Trailhead module about Data management. So great to see this. 

I also just watched the talk about accessibility in Salesforce. It is great to see that accessibility is already build in Lightning. As it was said in the video, accessibility is for everyone.

 

I am a manual wheelchair user myself, so I am always happy to see accessibility becoming a bigger topic these days.

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Bob Hatcher (Senior Director, Global Salesforce Architecture at Ticketmaster) posted in Admins with Disabilities
Nov 17, 2017, 3:44 AM

Hi everyone, I noticed the #Abilityforce signs at Dreamforce this year. I have a close family member who is Deaf and who would be an #AwesomeAdmin but she could use some community support to get started. Are there any resources or mentoring groups out there? Maybe along the lines of Vetforce?

 

Thanks to @Herman Ng for directing me here.

2 comments
  1. Adam Rodenbeck (Salesforce)
    Nov 27, 2017, 7:00 PM

    I am aware of a few community groups that have taken on something similar to what you have mentioned. In my experience the groups that are doing this are organizations that already have a mission to help under represented groups. There are so many materials available online now that can help you study for certification exams, so it really just comes down to having a like-minded group that can help push everyone when things get tough. This could be that group if enough people are interested in working through the material at the same time.

    Another suggestion is to find your local Salesforce user group. These groups are generally made up of folks who want to help others develop their Salesforce career. Many of these are listed here in the Trailblazer community.

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Carden Wyckoff (Support at Salesforce) posted in All Dreamforce
Oct 23, 2017, 6:29 PM

We just launched Version 2.0 of "Attendee Services" on the Dreamforce FAQs page updates include:

▶Sharps containers for Diabetics and others who use needles for ongoing healthcare

▶Handicap accessible transportation details to Dreamfest and during Dreamforce

▶More defined details for where American Sign Language and AVA will be used

▶Location specifics for Mother's Room

▶Specifics on gender neutral restrooms

▶When to arrive for priority seating

 

We are continuously working to make Dreamforce Accessible and #EqualityForAll !

If you haven't already indicated you need accessible services at Dreamforce please do so! It is your ticket in the door for priority seating.

Abilityforce Dreamforce 2017

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Emily Bushman (Marketing Services Analyst and Salesforce Administrator at National Guardian Life) posted in Admins with Disabilities
Oct 17, 2017, 2:03 PM

This will be my first Dreamforce and only my second time working with a power scooter. Can anyone comment on how easy it is to get around campus and to the sites around Moscone?

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Rhonda Ross (AVP Sales and Marketing Technology at Aristotle) posted in Admins with Disabilities
Oct 17, 2017, 3:20 PM

Trying to help a user group member with Dreamforce housing.  She is on tight budget and does not yet have housing.  That is a challenge for anyone, but she also needs an accessible option since she is wheelchair bound.  Anyone know of anyone in similar situation who already has accessible housing lined up that may be looking for a roommate?

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Ingrid Hansen (TNTP) posted in Admins with Disabilities
Oct 9, 2017, 10:28 PM

This will be my first dreamforce. I have walking limitations. What advice can you give me? I am very nervous.

7 comments
  1. Carden Wyckoff (Salesforce)
    Oct 16, 2017, 3:10 PM
    @Ingrid Hansen @Ashley Sisti

    We will have Abilityforce Volunteers stationed to assist

    you to your seat. Priority seating is available in our keynote and breakout rooms. You can request this service and others when registering for Dreamforce by indicating that you have accessibility requirements. If you require reserved seating in the larger keynotes, please plan to arrive 30 minutes before the keynote begins. Reserved seating will also be available at Dreamfest near the front of the stage. ASL interpretation will be clearly visible from this seating area.

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