Chris Jay

Louisiana

Writer at Freelance

Freelance writer, public school employee, MA in folklore, happily married dad.

Articles

Upstate Girl: Maggie Koerner

1 week ago | louisianacookin.com | Chris Jay

Story by Chris Jay and Photography Courtesy of Katie Larocca “I always tell people that I’m from ‘upstate’ Louisiana to make it sound fancy.”Fresh off the road from a US tour opening for the popular British singer Fink, Maggie Koerner is settling into a new apartment in New Orleans’ Garden District and putting the final touches on her fourth full-length album, Upstate. New Orleans has long since felt like home, but making the new record has her thinking about the town where she grew up.
Chris Jay: The role of storytelling in disability inclusion

1 month ago | hrreview.co.uk | Chris Jay

Storytelling has played a fundamental role in every culture since the dawn of civilisation. It connects us, teaches us, inspires us, and shapes our core values. Stories also have the power to drive change, shift attitudes, foster empathy, and even reduce prejudice. When it comes to promoting disability inclusion in the workplace, storytelling becomes especially powerful.
Chris Jay: The Cost of Return-To-Office Policies for Employees with Disabilities

1 month ago | workplacewellbeing.pro | Chris Jay

Many businesses are now pushing for a full return to the office, calling for the end of remote, hybrid, and flexible roles in favour of traditional, office-based work. But this shift could have serious health and wellbeing consequences for over a million disabled workers who rely on flexible arrangements to thrive. Since the pandemic, homeworking has evolved from being a niche perk to a widespread norm.
In Her Nature - 64 Parishes

Feb 28, 2025 | 64parishes.org | Chris Jay |Alexandra Kennon Shahin

Skip to main content A Louisiana Percent for Art–funded sculpture honoring Natchitoches Parish naturalist, author, and educator Caroline Dormon was dedicated on the campus of the Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts (LSMSA) this past October.
Chris Jay: Understanding the impact of disability microaggressions

Feb 3, 2025 | workplacewellbeing.pro | Chris Jay

When we think of discrimination, we tend to imagine obvious, dramatic acts of bias, but what about the subtle, almost imperceptible actions or words that leave you questioning whether you have actually been mistreated at all? These interactions, known as microaggressions, are understated, indirect, and often unintentional. But don’t let the name fool you, the results of microaggressions are by no means small and can have an enormous impact on a person’s wellbeing.
Chris Jay: Creating a culture where disability isn’t a secret

Nov 10, 2024 | hrreview.co.uk | Chris Jay

How does workplace culture impact disability disclosure? Managing Director of Bascule Disability Training, Chris Jay explains the impact of secrecy and how a cultural shift can enhance openness…Improving workplace culture is a high priority for many companies, given the evidence that it can boost performance, enhance employee satisfaction, engagement, belonging, and retention.
Can certain perks help attract and retain staff with disabilities? - HR Magazine

Oct 1, 2024 | hrmagazine.co.uk | Chris Jay

Many companies unintentionally overlook the unique needs of employees with disabilities when planning benefits packages, despite the fact that 24% of the population lives with a disability, according to data from the Office for National Statistics. However, addressing this gap can make a significant difference in attracting, recruiting and retaining talent, while enabling you to take meaningful steps towards becoming a more inclusive company.
Promoting more inclusive airports for disabled passengers

Sep 30, 2024 | internationalairportreview.com | Chris Jay

Posted: 1 October 2024 | Chris Jay | Following revelations about the treatment of air travellers with disabilities, Chris Jay, Managing Director and Founder of Bascule Disability Training, explores steps airports can take to foster a positive perception of disability. If you watched Sophie Morgan’s recent UK documentary, Fight to Fly, you likely joined the nation in shock over the treatment of travellers with disabilities by certain airlines and airports.
Can training prevent staff from hiding their disability?

Sep 25, 2024 | trainingjournal.com | Chris Jay

It’s virtually impossible to tackle a problem that you don’t know exists, which is the position many organisations are in when it comes to addressing hidden disability disclosure in the workplace. Around 12.8 million people in the UK have a disability you can’t see Take for example, a member of staff who has a disability but feels that their manager may view them differently if they reveal it, so they decide to conceal it.
Brenda's Puerto Rican Kitchen

Jul 24, 2024 | countryroadsmagazine.com | Chris Jay

Each time the front door of Brenda’s Kitchen Puerto Rican Kitchen in downtown Leesville swings open, cool air carrying salsa music and the unmistakable scent of frying pork slips out. The flag of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, known as “la Bandera,” hangs in the window next to a sign that reads: “Welcome, Y’all!” Inside, multicolored pavas—straw hats traditionally worn by sugar cane cutters, coffee pickers, and other agricultural workers in Puerto Rico—hang from the walls.