79. Fred Maahs - Universal Design for Leadership
“My utopia is someday, we're not going to be having this conversation. Access - just is. People with disabilities - just are, and everything is normalized…People with disabilities aren't, “the others”. We're not just a slice of the demographic. We're just part of society and not thought of differently.”

Guest Info:

Fred Maahs, Jr. is a passionate and recognized leader in the international disability community and in corporate America.  He is also a renowned champion for diversity and inclusion. 
After more than 30 years as a corporate executive, Fred founded FJM Solutions, LLC in 2019 and Maahs Travels in 2021.  As a consultant, Fred is focused on underserved and underrepresented populations, especially people with disabilities. He is an accessibility travel and tourism expert and internationally recognized keynote speaker who finds solutions for “Fostering Inclusion Universally.”  Also, in 2019, Fred joined Tarita Davenock and Travel for All as a partner and Chief Operating Officer.  Travel for All is headquartered in Canada and provides global, accessible and inclusive travel experiences tailored to the unique needs of each traveler.  In 2020, Fred was named Editor of a new digital magazine, Melange Accessibility for All, and he served on President Joe Biden’s Campaign ‘s Disability Policy committee. In addition, he is currently working with individuals throughout Central America and the Caribbean to plan and present at the 5th Continental CBR Congress of the Americas and the Caribbean.
Fred is a Board Director and a Past Chair of the American Association of People with Disabilities, was a Director and Past Vice Chair on the National Easterseals Board of Directors where he led the Marketing and Development Committees, served on the Board Development Committee for The Arc of the United States and was chosen to lead the Corporate Sponsor Council for Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.  He serves on the Advisory Committee for 360-Access, and he also serves on the Disability:IN (formerly known as the US Business Leadership Network (USBLN®)) Disability Equality Index Advisory Committee and its Honorary Advisory Board for the America’s Disability Rights Museum on Wheels.  He also serves on the Advisory of the Board Committee for Voiceitt, and the Advisory of the Board Committee for GesturesUp, both are Israeli-based IT startups focused on helping people with disabilities to communicate more effectively and to live more independently.
Fred has served on three panels at the White House regarding issues that impact the lives of people with disabilities. He has presented on the issues faced by people with disabilities when traveling by air to the United States Department of Transportation.  Invited by the King Foundation, Fred delivered a speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on August 28, 2013, along with Presidents Obama, Clinton, and Carter, as well as a number of renowned celebrities and civil rights leaders. On that day, Fred represented the nation's disability population during the "Let Freedom Ring" Celebration commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. This was the first time that the disability population was included in the anniversary events.
Fred has been the subject of many publications and articles for his accomplishments as a person with a disability and for being a devoted champion for the disability population.  Fred has shared his personal and professional journey with countless audiences around the world during events that include the inaugural Dubai Accessible Tourism International Summit in 2019, the New Jersey Conference on Disability and Employment, the National Mentoring Summit in Washington, D.C., the Annual National Convention for The Arc, the Ruderman Foundation Summit for Inclusion, the Digital Arts Festival for Boys & Girls Clubs of America, the Center for Corporate Citizenship Leadership Series and Annual Co