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We hope you are enjoying the new buds, flowering trees, and warm weather as we descend into spring.
Last month, Disability:IN Minnesota hosted its annual Virtual INclusive Career Fair, one of the organization’s biggest and most anticipated events. With a total of 119 participants, 127 1:1 networking sessions and 14 resume reviews took place with candidates and employers. It is the dedicated job candidates, employers, disability advocates, accommodations staff, and board volunteers who make this event so meaningful and connective. Thank you to all those who attended. We appreciate your time and commitment to building a more inclusive future.
In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, Disability:IN Minnesota will partner with U.S. Bank for its May Member Meeting. Join us today, Friday, May 10 at 12:00 PM CT for “Understanding Mental Health through Individuals Experience,” a virtual conversation with Melissa Doman, MA – an Organizational Psychologist, Former Clinical Mental Health Therapist, & Author. Register by 10:00 AM today!
In May, we also observe ALS Awareness Month, Brain Injury Awareness Month, Ehlers-Danlos Awareness Month, and Global Accessibility Awareness Day on May 16, among others. To view all disability awareness dates and observances, check out Disability:IN’s 2024 Calendar.
Looking ahead, we are excited to partner with Land O’ Lakes to host our June Member Meeting on “The Intersection of Identity.” Save the date and join us on Thursday, June 13 from 12:00 - 1:00 PM to discuss the connections between LGBTQ+ status, disability, and mental health. This is a hybrid event, online and in-person at Land O’ Lakes, Inc. We hope to see you there!
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay up-to-date with learning resources, upcoming events, and opportunities to support disability inclusion.
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ID: Disability: IN Minnesota and NEWS IS: IN in dark blue and green text in front of a light green and blue gradient background. There is a white envelope illustration in the center of the graphic and an outline of a megaphone at the bottom left-hand corner. May 2024 appears in dark blue text at the bottom right-hand corner. | |
Happening Today! May Member Meeting | | |
ID: Understanding Mental Health Through Individual Experience in bold white text against a dark blue gradient background. May 10, 2024 12:00 - 1:00 PM CST. To the right is a photo of a woman with long red hair wearing a yellow shirt, holding a cup of coffee. She is looking outward into the distance with a contemplative look on her face. |
Last chance to register for our May Member Meeting! Join us over the lunch hour today, Friday, May 10, 2024 12:00 – 1:00 PM (CST) for a virtual conversation on "Understanding Mental Health Through the Lens of Individual Experience." Please register by 10:00 AM today! | |
Save the Date! June Member Meeting | |
ID: The Intersection of Identity: Discussion on Connections between LGBTQ+ Status, Disability, and Mental Health. June 13, 2024 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM in white text against a dark blue background. To the right is a photo of three queer people dressed in bight colors smiling with a pride flag around their shoulders. | |
In honor of Pride Month, Disability:IN Minnesota will partner with Land O’ Lakes to host its June Member Meeting. Save the date and join us on Thursday, June 13 from 12:00 - 1:00 PM (CST) to discuss the connections between LGBTQ+ status, disability, and mental health. This is a hybrid event, online and in-person at Land O’ Lakes, Inc. Stay tuned for more details coming soon! | |
Save the Date! July Member Meeting | |
ID: Demystifying Disability Inclusion: Celebrating the 34th Anniversary of the ADA. Wednesday, July 24, 2024 11:00-12:30 Central / 12:00-1:30 Eastern in green text against a white background. To the right is a photo of a diverse group of disabled professionals sitting around a desk, having a business meeting. | |
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Featuring....
Catherine Bintner, Disability:IN Minnesota Board Member and Vice President, Head of Inclusion and Belonging at US Bank
What does cultivating a culture of inclusion mean to you?
As the Head of Inclusion and Belonging at U.S. Bank, I spend every day working to create a culture of inclusion within my organization. At it’s core, a culture of inclusion is one where every single person feels that they can come to work as their true self, no masking or hiding of who they are. It also means that you have a culture that acknowledges and accepts that we won’t always feel the same way or have the same beliefs, but that we can express those differences in ways that are respectful and compassionate.
What is one disability topic or trend you think employers should be thinking about to make their companies more inclusive and accessible to disabled candidates and employees?
I would encourage all employers to invest time, energy and resources into providing more and better support in the space of mental health and wellbeing. May has been recognized as Mental Health Awareness Month since 1949, and yet we still have a long way to go when it comes to eliminating the stigma around talking about mental health. All employers should ensure they have a strong network of both formal and informal benefits in place to give employees the assistance they need, when they need it. Employers also need to better train and prepare managers to lead with understanding and empathy. For those who want to learn more, I would encourage you to attend our May event on Mental Health.
What is one best practice you hope to see more employers implement to improve disability inclusion?
In the past few years, we’ve deepened the impact of our Business Resource Groups (BRGs) by building out Support Circles which provide a safe space to connect with colleagues who share similar life experiences. We have a number of support circles that meet once or twice monthly around dimensions of disability diversity. This includes neurodiversity, mental health, invisible disabilities, deaf and hard of hearing, and low vision and blindness. We’ve found that Support Circles provide employees a new way to engage with each other, share authentic life experiences, and make connections with people across our organization.
ID: Headshot of Catherine Bintner, a white woman with long light-red hair wearing a dark blue blouse.
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Do you work for a Disability:IN Minnesota member company and want to be featured in our monthly member column? Are you interested in becoming a member of Disability:IN Minnesota? Contact us today! | |
Updates from Disability:IN National | |
Join IN to Celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month | |
ID: Graphic banner reads Mental Health Awareness Month in white text against a green background. To the right is an abstract illustration of a brain with various communication icons. | |
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. This year, we’re exploring the theme “Compiling your toolkit: Mental Wellness in the Workplace.” At Disability:IN, we recognize that mental health and wellness is personal for everyone. Oftentimes, individuals may need to mix and match various support tools when compiling their mental wellness “toolkit”. It’s important for all of us to understand the tools available to us as we work together to advance mental health awareness and inclusion in the workplace. | |
Jobseekers with Disabilities: Top Companies Are Looking for You! | |
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Disability:IN is hosting a virtual career connection event on May 15 and May 22 to connect top companies with disabled talent. Candidates will engage in Q&A with leading companies, learn networking tips, and explore job opportunities.
Candidates at all varying levels are encouraged to sign up.
Registration deadline: May 13, 2024. This event is exclusive to Inclusion Works partner companies.
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ID: Graphic reads Disability:IN Career Connections Events. May 15 & 22 12:-1:30 PM EDT. Top Companies are searching for #DisabilityTalent! Job seekers with disabilities, register by May 13. Questions? Email recruitdisabilitytalent@disabilityIN.org. To the right appears a photo of a Black woman with glasses wearing a white blouse sitting at a desk, working on a laptop. Participating company logos appear below. | |
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May
June
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June 13, 12:00 - 1:00 PM: "The Intersection of Identity: Discussion on Connections between LGBTQ+ Status, Disability, and Mental Health"
July
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Partner calendar events can be accessed using the links below:
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Planning a disability inclusion event? | |
Expanding your event to include Disability:IN Minnesota members can increase visibility of your company's disability inclusion efforts and offer learning opportunities to members at varying points in their journey. Contact us today to add your disability inclusion event to our calendar! | |
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Disability:IN Minnesota is an employer-led endeavor that promotes best practices that enhance employment and career opportunities for skilled individuals who have a disability.
Our members are committed to disability-inclusive hiring practices and love to share best practices and ideas for recruiting, hiring, on-boarding and supporting candidates and employees with disabilities.
Learn more about our organization and benefits or contact us today.
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