"Enable: The Disability Podcast" is a podcast featuring stories of amazing people with disabilities and different abilities.
The Central New York Autism Society's Joe Cittadino speaks in this episode about being diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome, growing up with autism, connecting with other neurodivergent people on the spectrum, and his experiences in social and professional life.
"I prefer to say that I'm a person with autism just because of the fact that when you say I am autistic, you're saying that I am my autism. My autism is me," Cittadino says. "When you say that I have autism, you're saying it's part of me, but it doesn't define me. It's not the sole thing that is me."
Geoff Herbert, who was born with a profound binaural hearing loss, is a reporter, SEO Lead and content supervisor for syracuse.com | The Post-Standard. Despite being mostly deaf in both ears, he's also worked as a DJ for 25 years, including 10 years in radio (as "DeafGeoff") earning WJPZ Radio Hall of Fame honors and 10 years as a wedding DJ in Upstate New York. He learned how to communicate orally with hearing aids, lipreading and speech therapy, and embraces assistive technology like visual waveforms in music programs, closed captioning/subtitles, and video calls.
Kurt Hower, who has worked at Advance Local for over 35 years, is a leader both in the media industry and in the community. He has been actively involved in leading change as the print industry has continued to rapidly evolve, while also serving on a variety of boards including the Central PA Chapter Arthritis Foundation Board of Directors where he was Chairman of Board Development and a member of the Public Policy and Advocacy Committee. Hower has ankylosing spondylitis, a rare disease that causes arthritis of the spine, and encourages others to focus on what they can contribute to society rather than their challenges.
The Community at Work Job Fair will take place Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025, at CNY Works, 960 James St., in Syracuse, N.Y. The free event will provide adults with physical and mental disabilities the opportunity to meet inclusive employers, explore industries, and learn about positions with actively hiring companies.
Herbert and Hower will co-host a panel discussion about hiring tips and accessibility options at the job fair. The discussion will be recorded for an episode of the "Enable" podcast.
While the fair is tailored for adults with diverse mental and physical abilities, experiences or access needs, all community members are welcome. Participation is free for both job seekers and employers.