Don't Ask the Blind Guy for Directions - by John Samuel (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

After a diagnosis of a degenerative eye disease, John Samuel's life-and his chance at success-started to vanish.

In a world systemically unequipped for accessibility, disability inclusion is often left out of conversations about diversity. For people with disabilities, it can feel impossible to adapt and thrive when you're already set up for failure.

A more accessible world is possible-when we see the amazing opportunities in our differences.

From traveling the world and hiking mountains to finding love and raising a family, Don't Ask the Blind Guy for Directions shares Ablr CEO and cofounder John Samuel's inspirational journey against his inevitable blindness as he searched for acceptance. A powerful story for both professionals with disabilities and individuals working to create an inclusive culture at any organization, this memoir will empower you to accept yourself and others, break down barriers, and rebuild a world where everyone belongs.

You'll discover

• A heartfelt, insightful perspective of someone who is visually impaired and his day-to-day challenges.
• How to embrace your diagnosis or disability as an advantage for achieving your dreams.
• The incredible value those with disabilities can bring to organizations, no matter the business or industry.
• How anyone can be an ally and help remove organizational, digital, and performance barriers in the workplace.
• How to plan and implement a disability inclusion strategy within your company.

Embracing disabilities can lead to the greatest triumphs. Get Don't Ask the Blind Guy for Directions and start seeing acceptance as a powerful resource for change.

Review Quotes

"This book will resonate with anyone who has had to overcome significant life challenges and ultimately found success. John Samuel not only embraced his circumstance to become a champion for disability inclusion and accessibility, but he does even more - inspire us to be kinder humans, better leaders, and work toward a more equitable society."

-Donald Thompson, author of Underestimated: A CEO's Unlikely Path to Success and CEO of The Diversity Movement

"John Samuel's grit and energy is contagious, and this book will leave you feeling inspired, energized, and smiling. Don't Ask the Blind Guy for Directions is truly a must-read."

-Lindsay Wrege, Co-Founder and CEO, 321 Coffee

"A brutally honest account of one man's denial, acceptance, and finally embracement of losing his vision. John's story is raw and personal...from uncomfortable lows to exuberant highs. In the end, there is a great lesson contained in these pages and one that is easily relatable to sighted and non-sighted audiences alike."

-Jason Menzo, CEO of Foundation Fighting Blindness

"A compelling narrative: what finally matters in life is grit not ability nor disability. A must read for everyone, as all of us go through adversity. Truly unputdownable reading."

-Thulasiraj Ravilla, Executive Director, Aravind Eye Care System

"You never know someone until you walk in their shoes...for the sighted community this tale is also a wake-up call: Through John's eyes you see the many ways those with visual disabilities are excluded and even shamed. May readers see the world in a new light and make the changes needed for greater inclusion."

-Dr. Liesl Riddle, Dean of the College of Professional Studies, George Washington University

"John Samuel's incredible journey shared through his book, Don't Ask the Blind Guy for Directions, has key mile markers that you need to bring into your journey so that you too can find valuable insights. Life's great promise is about removing obstacles and John's story is a remarkable blueprint for everyone."

-Chris Heivly, Mapquest Cofounder and Author of Build the Fort

"Like John, I hid my vision loss because I felt it was a vulnerability and not a strength. So many similarities in our journey with vision loss and in our paths to embracing our vision loss as our greatest strengths. This amazing book has captured my life experience with vision loss even though it is Johns own life experience. Thank you, John, for writing this book."

-Jeff Wissel, Chief Accessibility Officer, Disability: IN

John's story has unexpected twists at every turn. It's an emotional rollercoaster that will have you smiling, laughing, and wincing. If you're looking for some directions in life, this might be the book for you.

-Daniel Ly, Head of Products, Press & Collaborations, Eone Timepieces

"People with disabilities are not broken we are just human. I highly recommend reading this story because it shows what we could accomplish if society would get out of the way. John Samuel is an important global voice that can help us evolve to a more inclusive world."

-Debra Ruh, CEO, Ruh Global IMPACT & Executive Chair, Billion Strong.