In this episode, Andrea Shoetan shares her journey as a police officer facing hearing loss. She discusses the challenges of navigating her career after her diagnosis, the importance of disability legislation, and the stigma surrounding invisible disabilities. Andrea emphasizes the need for support systems within policing and her commitment to advocating for others in similar situations.

Takeaways

• Andrea’s hearing loss led to a significant career transition.
• She faced challenges with HR and internal policies.
• The Equality Act 2010 provides protections for disabled individuals.
• Invisible disabilities often carry stigma and misunderstanding.
• Support systems are crucial for officers with disabilities.
• Andrea’s journey has led her to advocate for others.
• Education about disabilities is necessary within the workplace.
• Personal supportive passports can help communicate needs.
• The importance of asking how to help rather than making assumptions.
• Andrea’s role as DPA president allows her to influence change.

Sound Bites

• “Not all disabilities look like this.”
• “You can’t see that I have a disability.”
• “Just ask them, how can I help you?”

Chapters
00:00 – Andrea’s Journey: From Police Officer to Advocate
07:06 – Navigating Disability Legislation in Policing
13:12 – The Role of HR and Personal Advocacy in Policing

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