DISABILITY NEWS YOU NEED TO KNOW
MAY 2023
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May is Mental Health Awareness Month |
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A Proclamation on National Mental Health Awareness Month, 2023
During National Mental Health Awareness Month, we honor the absolute courage of the tens of millions of Americans living with mental health conditions, and we celebrate the loved ones and mental health professionals who are there for them every day. Treatment works, and there is no shame in seeking it. Together, we will keep fighting to get everyone access to the care they need to live full and happy lives.
As Americans, we have a duty of care to reach out to one another and leave no one behind. But so many of our friends, colleagues, and loved ones are battling mental health challenges, made worse by the isolation and trauma of COVID-19. Two in five adults report anxiety and depression, and two in five teens describe experiencing persistent sadness or hopelessness, exacerbated by social media, bullying, and gun violence. Drug overdose deaths are also near record highs, and suicide is the second leading cause of death among young people. It does not have to be this way.
As President, I released a new national strategy to transform how we understand and address mental health in America — supporting and training more providers, improving access to care, and building healthy environments that promote mental health. This work is a core pillar of the Unity Agenda that I outlined in my first State of the Union Address. Mental health is health; it affects everyone, regardless of race, gender, politics, or income. Promoting it is one of the big things that we can all agree to do together as Americans to make our country stronger.
The United States has long faced a shortage of mental health providers. It takes an average of 11 years to get treatment after the onset of symptoms, and less than half of Americans struggling with mental illness ever receive the care they need. This is especially true in rural and other underserved communities. That is why the American Rescue Plan made our Nation’s biggest-ever investment in mental health and substance use programs — recruiting, training, and supporting more providers at the State and local levels, including in our schools. Last year, when we passed the Nation’s first major gun safety law in nearly 30 years, it contained measures to further increase the number of school psychologists and counselors available to our kids, to make it easier for schools to use Medicaid to deliver mental health care, and to expand the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics that deliver 24/7 care. Additionally, we have invested in training more first responders to address mental health-related issues.
Last year, we also launched 988 as the Nation’s new Suicide and Crisis Lifeline so anyone in the midst of a crisis can receive life-saving confidential help right away. We added dedicated counselors trained in supporting LGBTQI+ youth to the 988 lifeline, and for veterans, we made it easier to reach the Veterans Crisis Line by dialing 988 and pressing 1 to reach trained crisis responders. We created a separate Maternal Mental Health Hotline to help mothers navigate mental health issues like postpartum depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders, which affect one in five pregnant and postpartum women. Far too often, these disorders go undiagnosed and untreated, so we have invested in programs that bolster screening and treatment and call specific attention to them during Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week, which we also observe this month. Finally, we have passed historic laws that further require insurers to cover mental health care as they would any other kind of treatment, that lower prescription drug costs, and that expand health coverage generally. I am proud that we have seen historic health insurance coverage gains since I took office.
At the same time, we are fighting to expand access to prevention and treatment for substance use disorders, including opioid use disorder, which have devastated so many families and communities. This includes expanding access to mental health and substance use treatment in jails and prisons and during reentry to support people when they return home. And last year, we passed a law making it easier for doctors to prescribe effective addiction treatment. Anyone suffering should know they are not alone: We believe in recovery, and we celebrate the courage of the 23 million Americans who have come so far down that road.
We are also expanding mental health care for service members and veterans, to better honor our sacred obligation to the troops we send into harm’s way and to care for them and their families when they are home. We cannot keep losing 17 veterans a day to the silent scourge of suicide. My Administration is increasing access to mental health care, hiring more mental health professionals, and investing in programs that recruit veterans to help one another get the support they need. And we are working to expand rental assistance and job placement programs to help smooth veterans’ return to civilian life. I have also signed laws extending counseling, benefits, and other mental health resources to first responders and their families to help them heal from the trauma that they or their loved ones faced on the job.
There is much more to do. For one, we must finally hold social media companies accountable for the experiments they are running on our children for profit. I have called on the Congress to limit the personal data that tech companies collect, to ban targeted advertising directed at minors, and to require social media platforms to put health and safety first, especially for kids.
We all have a role to play in ending the stigma around mental health issues. It starts by showing compassion, so everyone feels free to ask for help. If you are facing a crisis, dial 988 to reach the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. If you are a new or expecting mother, you can call 1-833-9-HELP4MOMS for confidential professional advice. If you are feeling overwhelmed or just need someone to talk to, ask your healthcare provider, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP, or visit www.FindSupport.gov. If someone you know is going through a tough time, reach out and tell them you are there for them. We are all in this together.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim May 2023 as National Mental Health Awareness Month. I call upon citizens, government agencies, private businesses, nonprofit organizations, and other groups to join in activities and take action to strengthen the mental health of our communities and our Nation.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
twenty-eighth day of April, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-three, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-seventh.
JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.
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A new EARN research-to-practice brief explores how employers used EAPs to support workers’ mental health during the pandemic. “Impact of COVID-19 on Employee Mental Health and the Experiences of EAP Professionals” shares best practices developed from a series of focus groups with Employee Assistance Professionals Association (EAPA) members. The sessions discussed the use of EAP services to promote employee well-being and addressed workplace challenges related to the pandemic, including expanding the use of alternate service-delivery methods such as telehealth. The brief includes considerations for employers looking to start or enhance EAPs.
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Fostering a Mentally Healthy Workplace
ODEP has a one-page guide on “Fostering a Mentally Healthy Workplace.” Read the resource guide to learn more about creating a supportive and inclusive workplace environment. Additional resources are featured on the ODEP Mental Health webpage to ensure that disability-related policies and practices in the workplace consider the needs of people with mental health conditions.
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Welcome to our 74th Mental Health Month!
This year our theme is Look Around, Look Within, and we’re asking you to challenge yourself to look at the world around you and think about how the places you live, work, play, and gather impact your mental health.
This Mental Health Month, challenge yourself to examine your world and how it can affect your overall health. Look around, look within – from your neighborhood to genetics, many factors come into play when it comes to your mental health. Our 2023 Mental Health Month toolkit includes information about how an individual’s environment impacts their mental health, suggestions for making changes to improve and maintain mental well-being, and how to seek help for mental health challenges.
- learn about how your surroundings affect well-being,
- find free tools for spreading mental health awareness,
- access new DIY worksheets,
- participate in virtual events throughout the month,
- and more!
If you haven’t downloaded our 2023 toolkit, you can still access the toolkit for free, practical resources – which are also now also available in Spanish.
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Global Accessibility Awareness Day
Thursday, May 18, 2023
Celebrate the 12th Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD)!
The purpose of GAAD is to get everyone talking, thinking and learning about digital access and inclusion, and the more than One Billion people with disabilities.
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Did You Miss This Webinar?
Honoring Life & Legacy of Judy Heumann
Celebrating Women's History Month
Personal Stories of Women with Disabilities
Check out the Recorded Session and others here.
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Vanessa Bliss
BroadFutures Intern
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FREE ACCESS Disability 101 Course |
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Disability Inclusion IQ
Disability 101
Free Access Extended to June 1, 2023
The course addresses:
- Appropriate language: Terminology, Person-First, Identity-First, Neurodivergent
- Disability etiquette: Appropriate Interactions
- Accessible, short, self-paced, and cloud-based.
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IN THE NEWS - ARTICLES OF INTEREST |
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She didn’t have a Barbie with Down syndrome growing up. So she made one.
Kayla McKeon loved playing with Barbie dolls growing up in the ’90s. She brushed their hair and dressed them up. Together, they went on walks, hosted dinner parties and cruised around in toy convertibles.
McKeon’s Barbies looked all sorts of ways. Some were blonde, while others were brunette. Some had blue eyes; others, green.
But none of them looked quite like McKeon, because none of them had Down syndrome.
“When I was a kid, I didn’t see myself in them,” she said.
Some three decades later, that’s changed, thanks in large part to McKeon, manager of grass-roots advocacy at the National Down Syndrome Society. On Tuesday, Mattel and the society unveiled the most recent edition to the Barbie Fashionistas collection, a line designed to be more inclusive. Advocates hope the new doll allows children with Down syndrome to see themselves represented in popular culture — by one of the most iconic toy brands in the world, no less.
“It’s a huge step for representation,” Kandi Pickard, the National Down Syndrome Society’s CEO, said.
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Now! 2023 NBCUniversal Tony Coelho Media Scholarship |
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2023 NBCUniversal Tony Coelho Media Scholarship Application Now Open!
Thanks to a generous contribution from NBCUniversal, the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) is proud to announce that applications for the 2023 NBCUniversal Tony Coelho Media Scholarship are now open.
Deadline: May 22, 2023 at 5:00pm ET
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State Launches Program To Teach Students About Inclusion
by Megan Tomasic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette/TNS | April 21, 2023
PITTSBURGH — School districts across the state, including those in Western Pennsylvania, could soon implement new curriculum focusing on political and historical contributions made by people with disabilities.
The Disability Inclusive Curriculum Pilot Program was launched this month by the Pennsylvania Department of Education after legislators last year voted to amend the Pennsylvania School Code to include the courses.
In addition to teaching about historical figures with disabilities, the program will promote topics that will help K-12 students understand that disabilities are natural.
The goal is to impact the overall culture and environment of schools by reducing stigma around disabilities and including disability as part of a school-wide strategic plan.
“It’s just wonderful that we can have this opportunity to teach children in school that there are a lot of famous people who have had disabilities,” said Nancy Murray, senior vice president at Achieva, an advocacy group for people with disabilities that has locations in Pittsburgh and Westmoreland County.
Curriculum changes were introduced last year by state Rep. Jason Ortitay, R-South Fayette, in House Bill 1809. At the time, Ortitay said the classes would “demonstrate the profound, positive impact that disabled individuals have had on our society and work to create a more tolerant and inclusive world. Every student deserves to feel safe and supported.”
The bill passed with bipartisan support.
Pennsylvania is now the first state to introduce disability into the curriculum in this comprehensive way, according to Temple University’s Institute on Disabilities.
Under the program, school districts can apply for up to $30,000 in grant funding to help introduce disability-related curriculum. Successful applicants will receive $10,000 per year for three years, running through June 2026.
Curriculum can be implemented next school year.
Mary Anderson Hartley — executive director at the PEAL Center, or Parent Education & Advocacy Leadership, which has offices in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia to advocate for youth and young adults with disabilities — strongly encouraged schools to apply for the funding.
“While we are working to ensure more students can gain access, many students with disabilities are already included in classrooms,” Hartley said. “Disability shouldn’t be a mystery to all of their classmates. This embedded curriculum provides critical acknowledgement that people with disabilities live, work, play and lead in our communities.”
Murray with Achieva quickly pointed to several historical figures with disabilities such as Winston Churchill, who is believed to have had bipolar disorder, and President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who had polio.
Eunice Kennedy Shriver founded the Special Olympics, the world’s largest sports organization for children and adults with intellectual and physical disabilities. Her son, Anthony Kennedy Shriver, in 1989 founded Best Buddies International, which fosters one-on-one friendships between people with and without disabilities.
Today, U.S. Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., publicly acknowledged his struggle with clinical depression when in February he checked himself into a Washington hospital.
That decision, Murray said, “brought to life for people the importance of not hiding a disability. … There’s no stigma attached to it.”
She suggested that schools with programs like the Special Olympics and Best Buddies should “jump at this” curriculum because the groundwork is already laid.
Students involved in those programs, she said, could encourage others to take classes related to disability history while also helping to create the new curriculum.
As education around disabilities grows, Murray is now hopeful that students will realize “that today people with disabilities are models, they’re business owners, they sit on boards of directors, they’re legislators.”
“Having a disability,” Murray said, “doesn’t hold a person back from doing all those things.”
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Disability Activists Grace Cover Of British Vogue
by Shaun Heasley | April 21, 2023
One of the most recognizable fashion magazines in the world is highlighting notable people with disabilities on its cover as part of a larger push toward acceptance in the industry.
The May issue of British Vogue will have five different covers, each spotlighting a person with a disability. The magazine will showcase 19 individuals with disabilities across fashion, sport, the arts and activism with interviews and an essay inside the issue and accompanying online content.
Dubbed “reframing fashion,” the issue “highlights how the fashion industry can be more inclusive, and adapt to better support the disabled community,” British Vogue said.
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Executive Order on Increasing Access to High-Quality Care and Supporting Caregivers
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Prioritizing Accessibility at Microsoft
From designing products so that everyone can use them to sharing vital data with policymakers, Microsoft is a leader in promoting accessibility for both customers and employees. Fast Company recently spoke with the tech giant’s Chief Accessibility Officer Jenny Lay-Flurrie about Microsoft’s accessibility initiatives. One of the efforts highlighted was the company’s partnership with the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign on the Speech Accessibility Project, which aims to improve voice recognition technology for disabled people.
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DRIVING CHANGE- CREATING OPPORTUNITY
The Latest News
From ODEP
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Diego Mariscal — CEO and Chief Disabled Officer
Growing up in Monterrey, Mexico, Diego Mariscal learned the importance of advocacy at a young age. When he was 12 years old, he and his teammates on his Paralympic junior swim team lobbied to have an accessible training center built. The effort was a rousing success, resulting in a brand new, fully accessible training center, and garnering attention from the media and Mexico's First Lady — and Diego being able to continue his training and represent his state, Nuevo León, in the Mexican National Paralympics from 2004-2009.
This early taste of the power of advocacy made a tremendous impact on Diego, who has cerebral palsy. He continued his advocacy efforts in high school, creating a series of disability awareness workshops that have since expanded to eight schools across Mexico. After moving to the U.S. in 2011 to study international relations at American University in Washington, D.C., he formed 2Gether-International, a nonprofit organization that develops advocacy campaigns to empower and unify young people with disabilities. In 2014, he was selected as a Youth in International Development and Affairs Fellow by the U.S. International Council on Disabilities.
Today, in his role as CEO and "Chief Disabled Officer" of 2Gether-International, Diego uses communication technology to engage youth with and without disabilities around issues such as education, employment and entrepreneurship. He says his favorite part of the job is that he learns something new every day. "It's challenging. I have nobody telling me what to do day to day, which is scary, but great," he says. "Yes, we have to be true to the mission of the organization. But what does that mean? Every day, I meet new people and have new experiences that help me answer that question."
When asked his advice for young people with disabilities, he says, "Know your rights and what resources are out there for you. A number of young people with disabilities don't know about VR [vocational rehabilitation], and they aren't sure what benefits they're entitled to. Understanding your rights is very important."
Diego currently lives in Washington, D.C. and commutes to work on the bus. In his spare time, which he admits he doesn't have much of these days, he likes to read and still enjoys swimming, even though he no longer does it competitively.
Whether in the water or at work, Diego is a force to be reckoned with. He has also collaborated with the U.S. Department of State, the Inter-American Development Bank, the United Nations and leading technology companies like Blackboard to engage youth in disability issues. He has also been recognized both nationally and internationally for his work in disability advocacy, including being selected as an Architect of the Future by the Waldzell Leadership Institute of Vienna, Austria and a Global Changemaker by the British Council.
Through these and all his efforts, Diego is passionate about encouraging youth with disabilities to always try to excel. "Society often underestimates people with disabilities," he says, "So it's really powerful when as a community we are able to prove society wrong." It's sage advice that he models every day.
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Attitudes are important influencers affecting the employment and retention rate of people with disabilities.
Key issues include:
- Whether job seekers with disabilities and their families perceive themselves as able to work and support themselves financially through working.
- Whether employers and coworkers perceive the employment and retention of people with disabilities as profitable for their organization.
- Whether service providers, including workforce development professionals, perceive that people with disabilities are capable of working.
Recognizing that changing attitudes within all three of these groups is critical to improving employment opportunities for people with disabilities, ODEP has spearheaded a variety of initiatives, including:
Additional resources related to attitudes about the abilities of people with disabilities include:
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Must-have practices and programs necessary to hire talent in a tight labor market
The recruiting trends panel at the SHRM Talent Conference & Expo 2023 in Orlando, Fla., explored the must-have practices and programs necessary to hire talent in a tight labor market, from using emerging technology and appealing to Generation Z to supporting hiring managers and shifting to skills-based hiring.
The popular annual discussion was moderated by Tony Lee, vice president of content for SHRM, on April 17. Here are 10 brief takeaways.
1. Adopt New Methods, Tools
HR must embrace new recruiting methods and technologies to fit the current era of hiring, such as using QR codes, text-based outreach and generative AI for job descriptions.
"We are figuring out where our candidates are and then meeting them there," said Rose Ann Garza, SHRM-SCP, chief human resources officer for Kerbey Lane Cafe in Austin, Texas.
"I encourage you to consider who your best candidates are and find out how they look for jobs," Garza said. "We've moved to QR application codes to make it significantly easier to apply for a job. We use text-based interview scheduling, programmatic job advertising, and are placing ads on TikTok and Instagram."
2. Attract Generation Z
"There are now five generations in the workplace," said Chelsea C. Williams, founder and CEO of Reimagine Talent Co. in Atlanta. "We are not going to create a whole new strategy to focus solely on one generation, but [Generation Z] will be 30 percent of the workforce soon, and they have different values than what we have seen before."
Williams recommended employers set up focus groups with their Generation Z talent, asking them how they had perceived the organization as an employer before they accepted the job and what they think since they became employees.
"That is important because Gen Z will share all their experiences with one another—the good and the bad," she said. She also recommended performing a companywide audit on policies and practices, with a focus on benefits.
"Some benefits may lean to older generations and some may lean younger," Williams said. "We are seeing a shift in what emerging talent wants from an employer and what they value about their work. We are certainly seeing an emphasis on social impact from Generation Z. And there is still a focus on diversity. Be prepared for those types of questions when interviewing Gen Z candidates."
Heather Deyrieux, SHRM-SCP, human resources manager for the Sarasota County Government in southwestern Florida, said that what younger talent wants may not be something employers have thought about.
"I was just at a local high school speaking about the range of benefits we offer," she said. "We offer tuition reimbursement, which normally generates some excitement, but the kids went wild for cellphone stipends. It's part of our sales pitch now."
3. Tell a Compelling Story
Deyrieux said that everyone has a unique story, and employers should take that mentality and apply it to jobs as well. "You are hiring unique individuals, and they are looking for something different," she said. "I love what I do, and we want to make sure all our employees feel that way, so we have to put together the content and video that speaks to them so they think, Wow, that looks like an exciting opportunity where I can make an impact."
Williams said that compelling employer brand content should focus on workplace culture and career paths—opportunities that are very important to job seekers.
Lee offered a practical tip. "Some companies think they have to hire a professional crew and produce expensive-looking videos," he said. "Those are not the effective videos. The ones that work are when you ask a loyal, engaged employee to shoot a video on their cellphone, asking their colleagues why their employer is a great place to work."
4. Reconsider Compensation and Benefits
When your competitors are paying more and offering more perks than ever before, it's time to focus on authenticity and transparency.
Kerbey Lane Café is competing with much larger, well-known companies moving into central Texas. "We can't beat those companies on compensation," Garza said. "So we think about what makes us better, what we lack and what we can add. Ask your employees these questions and try to meet them with their needs."
For example, Kerbey Lane created a mentorship program that is so popular, it has a waiting list, she said. "If you don't invest in your people, they will feel like you don't value them," she added.
5. Support Your Hiring Managers
Hiring managers and recruiters often have a fraught relationship, but it doesn't have to be that way. "One idea is to create a resource library, or roundtable training with hiring managers," Williams said. "It's so important to have a central place where managers can go and browse resources. And if you have great hiring managers with strong skill sets, you want to make those individuals ambassadors. Try to replicate what they do for newer managers."
6. Re-evaluate Education and Experience Criteria
Deyrieux said that her team has been challenging hiring managers to deeply consider the minimum qualifications for every job description before posting a new job ad.
"Not only is there a supply and demand gap between available workers with a college degree and open roles, but are these qualifications truly needed to do the role?" she said. "The applicable candidate should be able to do X, Y and Z, not be judged on having a four-year degree or five years' experience doing something. What matters is, can you do the job, or can you be taught to do the job?"
Kerbey Lane Café does not require high school diplomas. "They are not necessary to work in a restaurant," Garza said. "It is more important that you want to be there, that you are friendly, are great at communicating and provide a welcoming environment."
7. Seek Partners to Advance Diversity Recruiting
The panel recommended employers find partners such as schools, nonprofits and professional associations to support the hiring of underrepresented populations.
"Partnerships take time, resources and investment to work," Williams said. "That requires really getting to know the nonprofit or the school to build an alliance with. It's not just saying, 'We are ready for the candidates, where are they?' You will need a budget for this."
Williams advised HR to spend some time thinking about which type of partnership would be ideal for the organization. "You may want to go to the well-known nonprofits or top schools, but they may not be the best partners for your organization, and that is OK," she said. "Ask your employees who may identify with underrepresented populations about the organizations which have impacted them the most. Avoid going to the places where everybody goes to recruit."
8. Tap Untapped Talent
Sarasota County worked with the Florida Department of Corrections to set up a system to recruit incarcerated people who are about to be released. "We have one candidate in process right now who will be released on May 1, and we're hoping to have him start with us on May 8," Deyrieux said to a round of applause.
She said that it took some time to set up the program, get hiring managers on board, answer questions and assuage concerns. But after going through an interview round with the candidate over Zoom from the prison, they decided to proceed. "Hopefully it is success No. 1 of many more to come," Deyrieux said.
The panel also advised seeking out veterans, military spouses and people with disabilities. "People with disabilities have gone on a roller coaster ride over the last few years," Lee said. "They were making progress gaining employment, then COVID hit and unemployment soared. Fortunately, it has come back down again because being able to work remotely has been beneficial to people with disabilities, and more people are getting hired."
9. Maximize Referrals
It's an oldie but a goodie: Empower all your employees to be recruiters. "We're a high-turnover organization, so we spread the referral bonus over three payouts—on day one, at 45 days and at 90 days," Garza said. "That keeps the new hires engaged, and we pair those moments with key training to help retain them."
Deyrieux said the county is moving ahead with a plan that includes a referral program and new hire sign-on bonus. "Both were highly requested from our departments," she said. "The new hire and the referrer get paid at the start of employment, at 90 days and at six months."
10. Build Alumni Networks and Hire Boomerangs
This practice starts with a shift in attitude among managers when someone is quitting. "The usual reaction is 'You can't quit. I need you. I can't believe you're doing this,' " Lee said.
He added that a much better response is to congratulate the person, make a counteroffer if possible and then say, "Once you get to your new job, and if it is not what you hoped it would be, we would like to have you back."
Garza said that when there is a new position to fill, Kerbey Lane encourages hiring managers to first seek out people who have left the company in good standing.
"We have five boomerangs who have come back in the last year," Deyrieux said. "People often leave for more money, but the grass isn't always greener. It could be a toxic work culture, poor work/life balance, a bad commute, and they reapply. We welcome them with open arms and invite them to bring others over who may want a new opportunity."
Lee added that another best practice is to build alumni networks. "Stay in touch with your former employees," he said. "Because of that connection, they are more likely to be interested when new opportunities come up."
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Events In The DC Metro Area and Beyond |
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Experts with Fable webinar
May 3rd 2pm - 3pm EST
Learn strategies for getting buy-in and driving action on accessibility initiatives.
In this webinar, Amber Knabl, Accessibility Strategist at Fable will lead a discussion with Kaush Ganesh, Senior Design Researcher of Duo Security at Cisco and Jen Smith, Design Director for Accessibility at Visa on how to:
- Build relationships and champions across your organization to drive progress
- Identify important KPIs and measure progress
- Get early executive buy-in for accessibility initiatives
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Baltimore ILG Q2 2023 Meeting- Hybrid
Berkshire Associates
8924 McGaw Court, Columbia, MD 21045
May 3, 2023
9:00 am - 12:00pm
Please join us for our Q2 2023 BILG meeting. This meeting will be both in person and virtual. We would love to see as many of you as possible in person. The meeting location is . Continental breakfast will be served. 9:00-9:30 am Networking/Open Forum Moderator – BILG Board Members 9:30-9:35 am Welcome, BILG Business and Introductions Beth Ronnenburg, BILG Chair 9:35-11:00 am Pay Disclosure and Reporting Requirements Nancy Holt, Esq. - Partner, FordHarrison 11:00 -11:05 am Break 11:05-11:30 am OFCCP Update Tanya Bennett - Assistant District Director, Baltimore, OFCCP Jose Martinez - Assistant District Director, Baltimore, OFCCP 11:30-12:00 pm EEOC Update Tonya Lennox - Outreach and Education Coordinator, EEOC (invited)
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White House Aging and Disability Communities Webinar on President Biden’s Executive Order Increasing Access to High-Quality Care and Supporting Caregivers and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Friday, May 5th from 1:30-2 PM ET
On May 5th, join the Office of Public Engagement, White House Domestic Policy Council, and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for a webinar about the Executive Order Increasing Access to High-Quality Care and Supporting Caregivers and Notices of Proposed Rulemaking Ensuring Access to Medicaid Services and Medicaid Managed Care State Directed Payments and In Lieu of Services.
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Friday May 5
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. (ET)
The national Trends in Disability Employment (nTIDE) team offers a live broadcast via Zoom Webinar to share numbers and the latest news about disability employment. Join us to hear from our hosts and expert panelists from the field who discuss current topics, findings and events.
- 12:00 pm: Overview of National Trends in Disability Employment (nTIDE) Jobs Report Release – Andrew Houtenville, UNH-IOD & John O'Neill, Kessler Foundation
- 12:15 pm: News from the field of Disability Employment – Denise Rozell, AUCD
- 12:30 pm: Guest Panelist - TBD
- 12:45 pm: Open Question & Answer period 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
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Harkin Summit on Scaling Disability-Driven Innovation
May 9-10, 2023
Des Moines, Iowa
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Join us for the Inaugural Harkin Summit on Scaling Disability-Driven Innovation hosted by The Harkin Institute in partnership with the CEO Commission for Disability Employment, Cruise, John Deere Financial, National Down Syndrome Society, Perkins School for the Blind, Voya Cares and Walmart on May 9-10, 2023. The two-day Summit will bring together leaders from the disability movement, the private and public sectors, and investor community to scale the innovative potential of persons with disabilities to transform the economy, so it creates value for all.
Tuesday May 9, 2023 – Panel Discussions and Dining in the Dark
Day 1 of the Summit will consist of a series of small group, invite-only panel discussions and interactive roundtable discussions. In addition to the networking and collaboration opportunities, a tangible outcome will be a “roadmap” to be published for external use. The roadmap will provide best practices for disability-driven innovation becoming a driver of equitable socio-economic growth – both today and into the future.
Day 1 will be capped off by a “Dining in the Dark” event at Mainframe Studios – an immersive, communal dining experience where blindfolded participants use senses other than sight to explore food and drink. The evening will also feature work from our fellow Jill Wells.
Wednesday May 10, 2023 – Business Pitch Session and Job Fair
Day 2 will focus on fostering the innovative potential of persons with disabilities and creating employment opportunities by allowing entrepreneurs and business owners to pitch their start-up idea to local businesses, entrepreneurs, and community leaders. The presentations will be followed by a job fair and social where organizations can network with and interview prospective candidates. Career mentors also will be present to provide advice to job seekers on skills such as resume building, networking, and interviewing.
Event Details
What: Harkin Summit on Scaling Disability-Driven Innovation
When: May 9-10, 2023
Where: The Tom and Ruth Harkin Center (2800 University Ave., Des Moines, IA 50311)
RSVP: This event is free, but to attend you must register via Eventbrite
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Webcast: Accommodation Solutions for Fine Motor Limitations
May 11, 2023, 2 p.m. ET
Hosted by the Job Accommodation Network (JAN), this online training session will discuss accommodation ideas for workers with fine motor limitations, such as difficulty gripping and grasping, reaching, or using workplace tools like a mouse or keyboard. Hear from experts from JAN’s Motor Team about assistive technologies and other tools and supports for employees with fine motor limitations.
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Audio Conference: Mental Health First Aid in the Workplace
May 16, 2023, 2 p.m. ET
This ADA National Network online event will discuss the basics of Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) and how it can be used to promote employee mental health. The session will include information on the early signs and symptoms of mental health conditions and how to support a coworker or employee experiencing a mental health crisis.
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Webinar: Update on Service Animals in Public Accommodations, Employment, Transportation, and Housing
May 17, 2023, 2 p.m. ET
Learn about laws related to the use of service animals in various settings, including the workplace. This webinar hosted by the ADA National Network will discuss legislation, regulations, guidance, case law, and recent news regarding service animals. Guest speakers will also cover what businesses, government agencies, employers, airlines, and housing providers are and are not required to do with regard to service animals.
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Revolutionizing Mental Health in the Workplace
May 11, 2023
11:00 AM - 12:00 pm ET
Join Disability:IN Minnesota and U.S. Bank as we partner on an event for Mental Health Awareness Month.
Keynote speaker: Petra Velzeboer
Petra will provide practical advice to create a workplace that is supportive, empathetic and human, where we are able to support each other to build fulfilled and joyful lives.
This event will be held virtually and RSVP is required. For more information, visit our website. Online meeting login details will be sent before the event. If you do not receive an email by 5/10/2023, please email info@di-mn.org.
Captioning will be provided for the event. If you need an accommodation to attend or participate in this meeting, please contact info@DI-MN.org at least 5 days prior to the event with your request.
Cost:
- Disability:IN Minnesota members: Free (for member companies and their employees)
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Disability:IN DC Metro members (Disability Leaders Collaborative): $20 per person
- Non-members: $20 per person
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Prospective Disability:IN Minnesota non-members are welcome to attend their first meeting free. For details, contact info@DI-MN.org.
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Mental Health:
When Professional Becomes Personal
featuring EY's Chief Wellbeing Officer
May 17 Webinar | 1-2 PM ET
Experts from Mental Health America and NOD explore how dimensions of identity affect an employee’s experience and well-being. Plus, we'll hear from EY's Chief WellBeing Officer on how they built a work environment that allows workers thrive. Mental Health America has found that workers thrive in an environment where their identities are represented, acknowledged, valued and trusted, particularly in workplaces where leadership and management demonstrate these values.
Featuring:
- Taylor Adams, Director of Workplace Mental Health, Mental Health America
- Frank Giampietro, Americas Chief Wellbeing Officer, EY
- Felicia M. Nurmsen, Managing Director, Employer Services, NOD
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Building a Culture of Accountability
Full Day Conference
In-Person and On-Demand
The Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen | 2880 Mountain Road
Richmond SHRM hosts an annual Diversity & Inclusion Symposium to help companies improve their I.D.E.A. efforts and discuss current critical topics. Disability:IN DC Metro is the Networking Sponsor.
Using our 2023 theme, "Building a Culture of Accountability," the speakers will equip you with strategies and tools you need to take DEI to the next level and truly embed these practices in your culture.
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Featured Speaker
From Ableism to Success! How Understanding Ableism and Culture Leads to Inclusion
Our Ability's CEO, John Robinson is dedicated to connecting individuals with disabilities towards education and employment through technology. During this session, John will discuss the importance of understanding disability as a natural part of the human experience and identify practical language that businesses can use in recruiting and organizational communication to work towards disability inclusion. John will address ableism - discrimination or social prejudice against people with disabilities based on the belief that typical abilities are superior - and why it's important for the business community to understand the impact it has on workplace culture.
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Want to know more about BroadFutures?
May 23, 2023 Noon ET
One in five individuals has a learning or attention issue. BroadFutures is revolutionizing the way young neurodivergent people enter the workforce. Our unique approach builds confidence, improves communication skills and enhances job performance. We incorporate experiential learning opportunities that serve to challenge comfort zones and empower young people to achieve transformative, positive and successful futures.
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U.S. Access Board to Hold Town Hall Meeting in Baltimore
July 25, 2023, 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. (ET)
National Headquarters of the
National Federation of the Blind Members Hall
200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD 21230
Please register for in-person attendance by July 1, 2023.
Information for listen-in only virtual attendance will be available soon.
Registration: Provide full name and organization (if any) to
The U.S. Access Board will hold a public town hall meeting on Tuesday, July 25 from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. (ET) at the national headquarters of the National Federation of the Blind in Baltimore, Maryland. Presidentially appointed Access Board members and representatives from other federal member agencies will be present to hear from the local community about the state of accessibility in Baltimore and the D.C.-Maryland-Virginia area. Following the town hall meeting, there will be a reception and networking opportunity from 3:30 – 4:30 (ET), sponsored by the Maryland Department of Disabilities.
The town hall meeting and reception are open to all members of the public.
The Access Board invites in-person oral comments on accessibility. Registrants who wish to make in-person oral comments must indicate their request to speak when emailing events@access-board.gov. Public commenters will be allotted two minutes to make their comments.
The town hall meeting will be available via online streaming; however, individuals attending virtually will not be able to make comments.
American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters and Communication Access Real-time Transcription (CART) services will be provided. The Access Board has a fragrance-free environment policy and requests that all attendees refrain from wearing perfume, cologne, and other fragrances and use unscented personal care products. Requests for other reasonable accommodations must be submitted by July 1, 2023 to Rose Marie Bunales at events@access-board.gov.
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UPCOMING FALL EVENTS
OCT 4, 2023 1PM - 2PM
Explore ways to expand employment options for neurodivergent job candidates and how to effectively support and engage with neurodivergent job seekers and staff.
NOV 9, 2023 1PM - 2PM
DiversityInc’s Founder will lead a discussion on how businesses can create a welcoming and supportive environment where veterans with disabilities can thrive.
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DON'T MISS THESE
NATIONAL CONFERENCES
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Join us at SHRM23
June
Join us at SHRM23 for the largest gathering of HR professionals on Earth in one of the most vibrant cities in America: Las Vegas, NV. The event will include four days of peer-to-peer networking, inspiring addresses from top business and HR leaders, competency-based HR seminars, hands-on workshops, plus curated content focused on some of the most pressing issues facing HR: DE&I, workplace culture, talent acquisition, and retention, and more.
If you have additional accommodation requests or have any questions, please reach out to us using this accommodation form. Please allow for an appropriate lead time for any accommodation request. You will receive a response within 1 business day acknowledging receipt.
For the SHRM Annual Conference & Expo 2023 at the special group rates, available here on an exclusive basis. Additionally, all requests related to hotel accommodations should be directed to the hotel venue. If you have additional questions about hotel accommodations, please reach out to shrm@mcievents.com.
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Join Us in Orlando!
Regular Pricing Ends June 2, 2023
Late Registration Ends June 30, 2023
Meet Disability:IN DC Metro at our booth in the Exhibit Hall!
Learn more about our Professional Development Courses.
Drop by for a demo and register to win a free course!
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The Place to be for Affirmative Action, Equal Employment Opportunity and Diversity / Inclusion fields
August 1 - 4, 2023 Phoenix, Arizona
We are looking for speakers and participants to come and help us TRANSFORM FOR TOMORROW.
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Learn More About DC Metro |
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2023 Disability:IN DC Metro Programs
Theme: Intersectionality
Join us as we hold Hybrid and Virtual Events!
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GAAD Global Accessibility Acceptance Day
- 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
- The Growing Role of the Chief Accessibility Officer
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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:
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Jennifer Bassett, Chair, JBG SMITH Companies
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Meghan Cadigan, Secretary, KPMG,
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Tashi Carper, Leido
- Rahsaan Coefield, Lockheed Martin
- Ellen de Bremond, Treasurer
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Anjali Desai-Margolin, Gallaudet University
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Tom Downs, Booz Allen Hamilton
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Andrea Hall, Past Chair, General Dynamics Mission Systems
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Sophie Howard, Immediate Past Chair, General Dynamics IT
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Eduardo Meza-Etienne, eSSENTIAL Accessibility
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Mary Sauder, Northrop Grumman
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Ryan Walters, Vice-Chair, Deloitte
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Myra Wilder, BAE Systems
Advisory Board Members:
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Jessica Lee Aiello, iYellow Group
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Michelle Crabtree, Town of Vienna
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Crosby Cromwell, The Valuable 500
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Lori Daly, Diversifi Consulting Group and Chair, Community Outreach
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Ron Drach, Drach Consulting, LLC
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Diane Monnig, The Arc of Northern VA
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Melody Goodspeed, The American Foundation for the Blind
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Karen Herson, Concepts, Inc.
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Carolyn Jeppsen, BroadFutures
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Craig Leen, K&L Gates, Former OFCCP Director
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Carrie Martin, MAXAR Technologies
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Rick Rodgers,The Resource Network and Chair, Disability Supplier Diversity
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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!
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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!
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!
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