DISABILITY NEWS YOU NEED TO KNOW
FEBRUARY 2023
|
|
Join us on
Thursday
February 23, 2023
5:30- 8:00 pm
for our Black History Month
Hybrid
Evening Celebration Event!
|
|
Co-Hosted By
EY Government & Public Sector (GPS) and
Disability:IN DC Metro
EY Tysons
1775 Tysons Boulevard, McLean, VA
Kuyken Hall, 18th Floor, Rooms 1117/2115/2117
|
|
This roundtable event is an opportunity to network with peers and learn from our collective successes and challenges. Joining the EY panel, we are honored and excited to have Sherman Gillums, Jr. Office of the Administrator Director, Office of Disability Integration and Coordination.
To bring some inspiration and insights, our agenda will touch upon the following themes:
● Celebrate the intersectionality of Black professionals with disabilities by building understanding around intersections of race and disability and the impact at work.
● Take a step, in breaking through cultural stigmas, by learning inclusive skills and key disability concepts and appropriate language.
● Demonstrate your organization’s commitment to Black professionals with disabilities by providing access to culturally appropriate accommodations and mental health care.
|
|
The hybrid event will be an in-person panel with the opportunity to participate virtually by using MS Teams. Virtual attendees will receive a link upon registration. ASL and Captioning will be provided. Please let us know if you require an additional accommodation. |
|
Watch the Recording of our
January Webinar
Understanding Non-Apparent Disabilities
Co-Presented by
Lori Daly, Diversifi Consulting Group
and The Hon. Katherine McCary
CEO, Disability: IN DC Metro
|
|
Through First Quarter 2023*
|
Courtesy of Disability:IN DC Metro,
we have extended free access to Disability Inclusion IQ
Disability 101
until March 31, 2023.
The course addresses:
- Appropriate language: Terminology, Person-First, Identity-First, Neurodivergent
- Disability etiquette: Appropriate Interactions
- Accessible, short, self-paced, and cloud-based.
|
|
2023 Disability:IN DC Metro Programs
Theme: Intersectionality
Join us as we hold Hybrid and Virtual Events!
- Federal Updates 2023- hosted by General Dynamics Mission Systems (GDMS)
- The Growing Role of the Chief Accessibility Officer
- March Women’s History Month and Disability
- April Autism Acceptance Month
- May Global Accessibility Awareness
- Intersectionality: May Asian American and Pacific Islander Month
- Intersectionality: June LGBTQ Pride Month
- Intersectionality: July Disability Pride Month, ADA Anniversary
- Intersectionality: August Supplier Diversity including Disability Owned Businesses
- Intersectionality: September LatinX Heritage Month and Disability
- Celebrating National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM)
- November Celebrating Veterans with Disabilities in the Workplace and as Entrepreneurs
- Intersectionality: November Native American Heritage Month and Disability
- Celebrating International Day of Persons with Disabilities
|
|
IN THE NEWS - ARTICLES OF INTEREST |
|
Veterans’ Employment and Training Service 2022 in Review
The Department of Labor Veterans’ Employment and Training Service is committed to enabling all veterans, transitioning service members and military spouses to reach their full potential in the workplace. In 2022, working with our partners, we served more than 430,000 customers. Here are just a few of our many accomplishments throughout the year.
Our Jobs for Veterans State Grants’ Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialists provided intensive services to 43,520 veterans with significant barriers to employment and Local Veteran Employment Representatives conducted employer outreach activities. VETS completed a data integrity analysis in April, which identified inconsistencies which will help us refine processes to ensure greater equity and inclusion in our programs. The Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program provided funding to 160 grantees who helped nearly 17,000 veterans who were homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.
Our investigators conducted 970 Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act investigations across the U.S. – 238 of which were determined to have merit. Our investigators resolved 87% of the merit cases to the satisfaction of the claimant and the employer. We supported 1,030 compliance assistance events with employers and claimants and initiated an electronic case management system to streamline the process. We also reconstructed the USERRA Basic Investigator Training Course to increase VETS’ senior investigative program staff and solicitor’s participation as course instructors to leverage their experience by having them teach substantive portions of the course, contributing to a 2% annual increase in the resolution rate of USERRA cases in which VETS investigators found violations.
This year, we recognized 835 employers from around the nation for their commitment to hiring and retaining U.S. military veterans. The HIRE Vets Medallion is the only federal-level veterans’ employment award and is presented annually to employers who meet specific criteria. Since 2018, more than 1,650 employers have earned a HIRE Vets Medallion Award. The 2023 HIRE Vets Medallion Award application period opens Jan. 31, 2023.
Veteran unemployment rates are at historic lows in 2022 and we are on track for an annual rate of under 3%. As we close out this year and move into 2023, we will continue to use innovative methods to improve our programs to better support our veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses in their search for meaningful employment. Learn more about our work at dol.gov/vets.
|
|
We Want Your Ideas:
Listening and Learning to Build Towards 2033
This year, WID celebrates our 40th anniversary!
While we are very proud of this achievement and what has been accomplished within global disability rights, much work still needs to be done to eliminate the barriers faced by people with disabilities around the world.
This milestone anniversary is an important opportunity for WID to listen, learn, and gather insight and opinions from a variety of people like you through a series of virtual, one-hour strategic planning sessions.
With your input, WID will sharpen our focus, make strategic planning decisions, and dedicate resources over the next ten years and beyond.
Your participation in this process will help WID to accelerate our global campaign to achieve equity, accessibility, inclusion, and justice for all.
Please complete the sign-up form to share your interest in participating in one of our virtual moderated group discussions - the form should take about 5 minutes to complete. Please email us at marketing@wid.org if you need assistance to complete this form.
|
|
Beginner’s Checklist for Inclusive AI
|
|
EARN’s Helping Employers Retain Disabled Employees
Providing reasonable accommodations and offering mentoring opportunities and performance coaching are proven ways employers can help retain disabled workers. Throughout January, the Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability Inclusion is sharing best practices and effective strategies to help employers retain their disabled employees. Follow EARN on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn for resources and information about fostering an inclusive workplace that encourages employees with disabilities to want to stay at their jobs.
|
|
Welcome BroadFutures Newest Employer Partner!
BroadFutures is excited to welcome our newest employer partner, Atlas Performing Arts Center, a non-profit performing arts venue in a historic theater. The Atlas fosters and presents art in film, dance, music, theater, vocal and choral work, spoken word, and beyond. This is our first partnership with a theater arts company and we could not be more excited.
|
|
EEOC Hearing Explores the Potential Benefits and Harms of Artificial Intelligence and Other Automated Systems in Employment Decisions
Panelists Highlight the Civil Rights Implications of Automated Technologies on the American Workforce
WASHINGTON - On January 31st, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) held a public hearing to examine the use of automated systems, including artificial intelligence (AI), in employment decisions. Increasingly, employers are using automated systems to make employment decisions, including recruiting, hiring, monitoring, and firing workers.
During the hearing, titled “Navigating Employment Discrimination in AI and Automated Systems: A New Civil Rights Frontier,” the Commission heard from witnesses ranging from computer scientists, civil rights advocates, legal experts, industrial-organizational psychologists, and employer representatives.
"The use and complexity of technology in employment decisions is increasing over time,” said EEOC Chair Charlotte A. Burrows. “The goals of this hearing were to educate a broader audience about the civil rights implications of the use of these technologies and to identify the next steps that the Commission can take to prevent and eliminate unlawful bias in employers’ use of these automated technologies. We will continue to educate employers, workers, and other stakeholders on the potential for unlawful bias so that these systems do not become high-tech pathways to discrimination.”
The witnesses discussed how discrimination might occur when employers use automated systems. The discussion also included ways in which AI and automated systems in the workplace might support or hinder diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) efforts,
The 12 witnesses included experts from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Brown University, Washington University School of Law, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Georgetown University, the Brookings Institution, American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), University of North Carolina School of Law, the Center for Democracy & Technology, the Nancy T. Tippins Group LLC, Outten & Golden LLP, and Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP.
Almost 2,950 members of the public attended Tuesday’s hearing.
The EEOC advances opportunity in the workplace by enforcing federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination. More information is available at www.eeoc.gov. Stay connected with the latest EEOC news by subscribing to our email updates.
|
|
Events In The DC Metro Area and Beyond |
|
Linking HR Practices to Results with the
NOD Employment Tracker
Webinar | Thursday, February 2, 1:00-2:00 PM ET
Explore how the updated 2023 NOD Employment Tracker provides essential data to companies seeking to become more disability inclusive and how L'Oréal USA used this tool to advance their workplace inclusion initiatives.
Plus discover trends and correlations, derived from 200+ companies that participated in the Tracker last year, including:
- The most important disability employment practices that lead to the strongest outcomes
- Insights on how corporate America is progressing along the disability employment maturity curve
- What critical gaps remain and how your company can successfully address them
Featuring:
- Nick Iadevio, VP, Diversity & Inclusion, L'Oréal USA
- Felicia M. Nurmsen, Managing Director, Employer Services, NOD
Audience:
Registration is open to the public, so please share this event with your colleagues from relevant teams, including Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Human Resources, Talent Acquisition, Culture, Corporate Social Responsibility, Accessibility/IT, and ERG/BRGs, among others.
Accessibility:
Captions and ASL Sign Language Interpreter will be provided.
|
|
Friday, FEBRUARY 3, 2023
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. (ET)
12:00 PM: Introduction and Welcome – Andrew Houtenville, University of New Hampshire
12:10 PM: Overview of National Trends in Disability Employment (nTIDE) Jobs Report Release – John O'Neill, Kessler Foundation
12:15 PM: News from the field of Disability Employment – Denise Rozell, AUCD
12:30 PM: Guest Presenter
12:45 PM: Question and Answer for attendees
Note: All webinars will be recorded and closed-captioned and will be added to our website archives along with full transcripts following the live broadcast.
#nTIDElearn | Twitter: @DisabilityStats
|
|
U.S. Access Board Meeting
January 11, 2023 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. (ET)
Meeting ID: 161 769 5856
Dial in: (646) 828-7666
All are welcome to attend the next meeting of the U.S. Access Board, which will be open to the public and take place virtually on January 11 from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. (ET). The agenda for the meeting includes federal agency updates and brief reports from standing and ad hoc Board committees and the Executive Director.
Agenda
- Introductory Remarks; Roll Call; Approval of November 9, 2022 draft meeting minutes (vote)
- Executive Director’s Report
- Standing Committee Reports
- Ad Hoc and Special Committee Reports
- Federal Agency Updates
- New Business
- Adjourn
|
|
Wednesday, February 15, 2023
2:00 - 3:00 pm ET
Accessibility is the foundation of an inclusive, supportive workplace. To ensure access for all employees, organizations must focus on and prioritize all aspects of accessibility, including physical and digital accessibility. Examples include barrier-free access to buildings and accessible information and communication technologies, including websites and online job applications.
To support all employees, including those with disabilities, it’s important that staff at every level understand and embrace a holistic and organization-wide accessibility plan. With an “Accessibility is Everyone’s Responsibility” attitude, organizations will yield numerous benefits including increased productivity, a diverse applicant talent pool, long-term employee retention and a larger often more loyal customer base. In addition, employers with positive, welcoming attitudes toward accessibility can strengthen their organization’s overall diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility and belonging efforts.
In this webinar, panelists will offer effective strategies employers can use to develop and sustain a fully accessible workplace. Topics to be discussed include:
- The importance of whole-organization accessibility;
- Strategies for initiating, developing, and sustaining an organization-wide
- accessibility plan;
- Generating buy-in from all employees at all levels; and
- Creating an organization where “Accessibility is Everyone’s Responsibility.”
|
|
OMNIUM CIRCUS is a world-renowned fully inclusive circus company bringing excitement, thrills, and joy to people of all ages as only a circus can! Step into a world of all things possible where we discover the power, passion, and perseverance of the human spirit within each of us!
Omnium means of all and belonging to all presenting the best in family circus entertainment—inclusive of all and accessible to all at every performance.
Omnium sees the future of the circus as a force for unity and systemic change. We are leading a global movement by example with the first fully inclusive circus company in the country both virtually and live. We honor our individual stories and celebrate what unites us, welcoming all audiences with the tools to bridge their experience and bring joy and laughter to families and children of all ages and abilities in the best way for each to appreciate it.
Humanity, love, and laughter unite us all in celebration of our unique stories.
|
|
DEI
THE DIFFERENCE FOR BUSINESS SUCCESS
February 28, 2023
02:00 PM ET
Diversity is more than recognizing differences between race and gender. It means acknowledging differences to create a more productive workplace. Having the skills to collaborate effectively with a diverse group improves culture, enables your team to be more engaged and innovative, and inevitably increases performance.
Join Syntrio's experts as they explore emerging issues in diversity, equity and inclusion, including:
- The Value of DEI: addressing the business case for success
- Inclusive Leadership: attributes that encourage support for DEI
- Unconscious Bias: common challenges that businesses confront
- Managing Talent Pipeline: building a workplace where all can thrive
- Metrics for Success: assessment and measurement for continuous improvement
|
|
Early Bird Ends February 17, 2023
Regular Pricing Ends June 2, 2023
Late Registration Ends June 30, 2023
|
|
The Place to be for Affirmative Action, Equal Employment Opportunity and Diversity / Inclusion fields
August 1 - 4, 2023 Phoenix, Arizona
The Conference will be held at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge, and will be the premier meeting ground for EEO, affirmative action, HR compliance, DEI and ESG representatives. Practitioners from business, educational institutions, government and not-for-profit organizations attend this annual conference to hear from recognized experts as well as from leaders at federal agencies such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP). We are looking for speakers and participants to come and help us TRANSFORM FOR TOMORROW.
|
|
Our focus is on Culture Change!
Our organization, formerly the DC Metro Business Leadership Network, is the largest regional member network of a variety of industry employers advocating for inclusion of individuals with disabilities in today's workforce, marketplace and supply chain. A non-profit business-led network established in 2006, our purpose is to bring the business community together in a dialog through education, training and resources with a focus on removing attitudinal and organizational barriers by exchanging best practices to ensure that the inclusion of individuals with disabilities as smart business.
Our Members and Guests have access to resources, programs and partners to strengthen the disability inclusion efforts and outcomes.
- Thought leadership
- Professional Development courses
- Business to business networking
- Introductions to community partners
- Access to talent
- Hot topic programming led by Subject Matter Experts
- Webinars
Join our
Follow us on
Our Board
Board Members:
- John Annand, Marriott International
- Jennifer Bassett, Chair, JBG SMITH Companies
- Meghan Cadigan, Secretary, KPMG,
- Tashi Carper, Leido
- Ellen de Bremond, Treasurer
- Anjali Desai-Margolin, Gallaudet University
- Tom Downs, Booz Allen Hamilton
- Andrea Hall, Past Chair, General Dynamics Mission Systems
- Sophie Howard, Immediate Past Chair, General Dynamics IT
- Eduardo Meza-Etienne, eSSENTIAL Accessibility
- Mary Sauder, Northrop Grumman
- Ryan Walters, Vice-Chair, Deloitte
- Myra Wilder, BAE Systems
Advisory Board Members:
- Jessica Lee Aiello, iYellow Group
- Michelle Crabtree, Town of Vienna
- Crosby Cromwell, The Valuable 500
- Lori Daly, Diversifi Consulting Group and Chair, Community Outreach
- Ron Drach, Drach Consulting, LLC
- Diane Monnig, The Arc of Northern VA
- Melody Goodspeed, The American Foundation for the Blind
- Karen Herson, Concepts, Inc.
- Carolyn Jeppsen, BroadFutures
- Craig Leen, K&L Gates, Former OFCCP Director
- Carrie Martin, MAXAR Technologies
- Rick Rodgers,The Resource Network and Chair, Disability Supplier Diversity
- Kia SIlver-Hodge, Enterprise Community Partners
Our Staff
The Hon. Katherine McCary, President, C5 Consulting, LLC serves as CEO and Executive Director. Katherine served as founding chair of the USBLN (now Disability:IN) for nine years, the founding chair of the VA BLN (Now Virginia Ability) for 13 years and has launched more than 11 chapters. She received the USBLN Lifetime Achievement Award in 2009.
C5 is a global disability inclusion strategy consultancy comprised exclusively of private sector disability leaders, experienced disability from a variety of areas; as individuals, as caregivers, and as parents of individuals with disabilities. With more than 50 years combined expertise and a deep knowledge of culture change developed through customized business strategies. C5 is the pioneer of disability inclusion "for business by business" with just in time training Disability Inclusion IQ Professional Development Courses designed for enterprise wide learning, now a DC Metro chapter member benefit!
|
|
Our Mission
“Building the Business Network for Disability Inclusion.”
Our Vision
“Cultivate workforces and workplaces where talent with disabilities are recruited, included, promoted, retained and valued as both internal talent and innovative vendors.”
"In This Together" Campaign Continues for 2023
Please Donate!
Shop Amazon Smile!
In these ongoing unprecedented times, non-profits face the situation of limited funding. The DC Metro Chapter is no different. As we continue to provide education and resources with the newsletters and free virtual programming, your support is needed now more than ever. Please consider a donation to support our mission in support of our monthly efforts! As most of us are shopping virtually these, days, please shop on Amazon Smile!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
