Disability Business News
You Need to Know
April 2020
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2020 Programming Update
April- July
As we are all navigating through the uncertainty of these trying times, we hope you are staying healthy and safe. In response to COVID-19, we want to update you on the steps we’re taking to ensure the health and safety of our community.
Beginning in April, we will provide all previously scheduled in-person programming by developing recorded mini sessions (45 minutes) and making them available on our website.
You may submit questions for our speakers both in advance and after viewing the sessions.
Our first of these mini sessions
"Innovative Approaches to Increasing Self-ID"
will be recorded in the next few weeks.
In this session, Pamela Roberts, Director of Diversity & Inclusion at Northrop Grumman will discuss its innovative approaches to Self ID and share its results, including active employee engagement utilizing their Victory Over Impairment and Challenge Enterprise (VOICE) employee resource group. Northrop Grummman was named as “Best Places to Work for Disability Inclusion” receiving the highest ranking on the Disability Equality Index (DEI)® for the fifth year in a row; ranked 17th on Diversity Inc’s annual list for the TOP 50 Companies for Diversity and was ranked No.1 for both veterans and people with disabilities in 2019.
The second recorded session will feature
Kevin Carpenter, VP and EEO Consultant, Wells Fargo, NILG Board Member and Ellice Switzer, EARN (Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability Inclusion) who will share the results of the work done in partnership with the National Industry Liaison Group (NILG).
In today’s fast changing pandemic crisis, the DC Metro chapter is adopting these steps to continue to offer SME education and continual learning while limiting disruption to the efforts businesses are making to focus on their concerns for health and safety.
We will continue to seek guidance from national public health and government organizations and are working closely with our DC Metro Board keeping the best interest of our members at the center of our decision making.
Now more than ever, we are committed to promoting best employment practices.
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Pamela M. Roberts, Northrop Grumman
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Kevin Carpenter, Wells Fargo, NILG
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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.”
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Member Renewals
Need to Renew Your Membership?
Annual Membership
All local employees are members.
- Corporate - $2,000: TWO Program Passes per event.
Additional Registrations: $65
- Gold - $3,000: THREE Program Passes per event.
Additional Registrations: $65
- Diamond - $5,000: FIVE Program Passes per event.
Additional Registrations: $65
- Platinum - $10,000: Unlimited Program Registration
- Non-Profit - $750: ONE Program Pass per event.
Additional Registrations: $65
- Small Business - $800: ONE Program Pass per event.
Additional Registrations: $65
- Government - $2,300: Unlimited Program Registration
NEW! Six Month Membership
Introductory Corporate Friends
- $600: 6 month membership for up to three employees
Benefits
- An opportunity to engage with the organization and its members
- Host a virtual event
- $600 coverts at end of six months to an annual level determined by the company with $600 applied to remaining balance
- Only available to new members - corporate for profit private sector firms
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Andrea Hall,
Chair
Diversity & Inclusion Sr. Manager
- General Dynamics Mission Systems
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The Hon. Katherine McCary
CEO, Executive Director
President
C5 Consulting, LLC
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Board Members:
- John Annand, Marriott International
- Jennifer Bassett, JBG SMITH Companies
- Michelle Crabtree, Hyatt
- Ellen DeBremond, Treasurer
- Anjali Desai-Margolin, Gallaudet University
- Tom Downs, Gartner
- Dan Ellerman, Boeing
- Andrea Hall, Chair, General Dynamics Mission Systems
- Sophie Howard, Vice Chair, General Dynamics IT
- Eduardo Meza-Etienne, eSSENTIAL Accessibility
- Chrisonna Palmer, Secretary, EY
- Carrie Schroeder, PwC
- Jamel Walker, Northrop Grumman
- Myra Wilder, BAE Systems
- Emily Yee, Deloitte
Advisory Board Members:
- Orly Barbosa, Sandy Spring Bank
- Meghan Cadigan, KPMG
- Ron Drach, Drach Consulting, LLC
- Rikki Epstein, The Arc of Northern VA
- Sylvia Henri-Wonasue, Lockheed Martin
- Karen Herson, Concepts Communication
- Bryan Moseley, TCS Associates
- Rick Rodgers, The Resource Network
- Kia Silver-Hodge, C5 Consulting, LLC
- Bob Vetere, C5 Consulting, LLC
- Sue Werber, C5 Consulting, LLC
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SHOPPING FROM HOME?
Click the logo to support the Disability:IN DC Metro
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IN THE NEWS - Articles of Interest
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WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced that CVS Health and PepsiCo have received Gold Awards in the department’s inaugural Excellence in Disability Inclusion (EDI) Awards program, which recognizes federal contractors that demonstrate excellence in making their workforce inclusive for people with disabilities.
Sponsored jointly by the department’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) and Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), the awards recognize employers that make exemplary efforts in the recruitment, hiring, retention and advancement of individuals with disabilities.
“The U.S. Department of Labor is committed to ensuring America’s workforce is driven by the skills and talents of all people, including people with disabilities,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia. “During this inaugural year of the Excellence in Disability Inclusion Awards, we celebrate businesses that excel in meeting their responsibilities and exemplify the spirit of inclusion.”
In its review of award nominations, the EDI Awards’ Executive Review Committee recognized CVS Health’s many efforts, including its “Abilities in Abundance” program, which provides training to people with disabilities to compete for a wide range of positions with the organization. Similarly, the committee found “Pepsi Achieving Change Together (PepsiACT),” a formal partnership between Pepsi and Disability Solutions @ Ability Beyond, a U.S. non-profit specializing in corporate disability recruiting programs, to be worthy of top honors.
“America’s employers have the responsibility to treat all qualified job applicants and workers equally and fairly, regardless of disability. Federal contractors are also required to take proactive steps to be disability inclusive,” said Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs Director Craig E. Leen. “The winners of this year’s Excellence in Disability Inclusion Awards make it clear that including people with disabilities is more than a matter of compliance, it is a wise business imperative.”
“CVS Health and PepsiCo have taken proactive and creative steps to optimize the talent in their organizations by addressing common employment barriers people with disabilities face,” said Acting Assistant Secretary for Disability Employment Policy Jennifer Sheehy. “These organizations have made inclusion a core part of their brand and business goals, and provide models for others to emulate.”
In the year ahead, CVS Health and PepsiCo will participate in a “Year of Engagement” program to share their best practices and encourage other employers to adopt them.
Learn more about the EDI Awards
.
OFCCP protects workers, promotes diversity and enforces the law. OFCCP holds contractors and subcontractors those that do business with the federal government responsible for complying with the legal requirement to take affirmative action and not discriminate based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran.
Learn more about OFCCP
.
ODEP is the only non-regulatory federal agency that promotes policies and coordinates with employers and all levels of government to increase workplace success for people with disabilities. Its mission is to develop and influence policies and practices that increase the number and quality of employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
Learn more about ODEP
.
The mission of the
Department of Labor
is to foster, promote and develop the welfare of the wage earners, job seekers and retirees of the United States; improve working conditions; advance opportunities for profitable employment; and assure work-related benefits and rights.
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Dear NDMC Members,
During this time of social distancing, we want to provide our members and supporters increased opportunity to connect, learn, and support one another. While physical proximity will be limited, we can not allow this to lead to isolation for ourselves, our teams, and the mentors and mentees who are seeking our guidance and support. Therefore, below you will find a number of virtual events and resources that can provide opportunity for connection in the days to come.
We also want to share a few recent messages that we found meaningful during these uncharted times. First, David Shapiro, President & CEO of MENTOR, shared his thoughts,
"
Connecting in a Time of Social Distancing
." Next, we know that caring and protecting those with health needs is on all of our minds. PYD released a recent blog, "
How You Can Support People With Disabilities At-Risk of COVID-19
." We encourage you to share these with mentors and mentees, as well as team members who may be seeking support and guidance.
The days ahead may not be easy, but with connection and relationship, we will get through this together.
Thank you,
Genelle Thomas, Director of National Initiatives, PYD
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A Message from Bryan Moseley, DC Metro Board Member
Dear Friends,
We are in unprecedented times and I know it can feel overwhelming. One thing is certain, we are all in this together. Being in it together is one of our core values and it has never felt truer; especially given the speed at which things are evolving.
I imagine you and your team, like ours, have been meeting with more frequency and urgency to find solutions to allow business to continue while maintaining social distancing. As an organization, teleworking has been part of our culture for many years, which means we know how to stay connected using Assistive Technology from remote locations.
If you are having trouble navigating the creation of remote working environments inclusive of Assistive Technology or working through the processes of providing Reasonable Accommodations to a remote workforce, we are here to support you. If you need support, we can jump on a video or conference call, with no cost or obligation.
We are passionate about training, support, compliance and access. It is who we are. In these challenging times, we want to support you as you support your team.
In it together,
Bryan
Bryan Moseley
CEO
TCSAccess
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The Mid-Atlantic ADA Center is still operating! Our office is closed but our team continues to work at our homes to provide the Mid-Atlantic region with information, guidance and training on the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Visit our
website
to view a short video about our services and and resources during the COVID-19 "stay-at-home" period.
We've compiled a list of links from Federal agencies and other organizations applicable to individuals with disabilities, older adults, educators, employers, businesses and more on our
Coronavirus Information and Resources
page.
Feel free to contact us with any questions. Please stay safe and be well!
The Mid-Atlantic ADA Center Team
Mid-Atlantic ADA Center
A project of TransCen, Inc.
(800) 949-4232 V/TTY (DC, DE, MD, PA, VA, WV)
(301) 217-0124 V/TTY
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Free Home-Use Software For Those Affected by COVID-19
Freedom Scientific today announced its plan to help students and employees in the US and Canada affected by COVID-19 remain accessible while working and studying from home.
“As we continue to monitor the impact of COVID-19, we want to do our part to lessen the burden for users who are impacted by the sudden need to work and study from home,” said Tom Tiernan, CEO of Vispero. “Providing equal access during this time is more important than ever.”
For users outside of the United States and Canada, we are working with our international team to provide a home solution and recommend contacting your
local distributor
.
Free software is available until June 30, 2020.
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Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2
in Development
Accessibility Corner by Eduardo Meza-Etienne, Director of Compliance at eSSENTIAL Accessibility and DC Metro Board Member and Accessibility Chair.
On February 27, 2020, the World Wide Web Consortium's (W3C) Accessibility Guidelines Working Group (AGWG) released its first public working draft of WCAG 2.2.
So what does this mean for websites and mobile applications? WCAG 2.2 is an extension of WCAG 2.1, so not much should change. The basic structure of WCAG 2.2 is the same, but the W3C has added new features to help make the user experience more inclusive and user-friendly. It’s important to note that the laws still reference WCAG 2.0.
In this First Public Working Draft there is one new success criterion: “
Focus visible (Enhanced)
” at level AA. The “Focus visible” success criteria from WCAG 2.0 and 2.1 has been changed from level AA to level A.
The AGWG expects to add up to 12 more success criteria to WCAG 2.2. The new success criteria address user needs of people with cognitive or learning disabilities, users of mobile devices, and users of ebooks. Note that success criteria in the Drafts may change or be removed before the final WCAG 2.2 is published.
Public feedback is really important. Based on this feedback, the proposed success criteria could be changed. AGWG wants to hear from users, authors, tool developers, policy makers, and others about benefits from the new proposed success criteria, as well as how achievable someone feels it is to conform to the new success criteria. The main places to comment are on
Github
, and to the
mailing list
.
Over the next couple of months, the AGWG will process other proposed success criteria, and input from the public. The is plan to publish a final draft (
W3C Candidate Recommendation
) in June 2020, and hope to publish the final version of WCAG 2.2 as a “W3C Recommendation” web standard later in 2020.
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Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution - Netflix Documentary
In the early 1970s, teenagers with disabilities faced a future shaped by isolation, discrimination and institutionalization. Camp Jened, a ramshackle camp "for the handicapped" in the Catskills, exploded those confines.
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OFCCP COVID-19 Response
In light of the current COVID-19 pandemic, OFCCP is reaching out to ensure you know the agency is continuing to pursue its important mission of ensuring equal employment opportunity while making adjustments to ensure all of its activities are consistent with current public health guidelines. For example, OFCCP will continue to provide resources and assistance to workers and the contractor community through its website, Help Desk, and Contractor Assistance Portal, although local offices will no longer be accepting walk-ins until further notice.
Likewise, OFCCP will continue its compliance reviews, focused reviews, and complaint investigations, but in lieu of physical onsites, OFCCP will maximize use of every alternative resource available, such as WebEx, Skype, and phones to conduct interviews and complete our evaluations.
OFCCP will make every effort to continue assessing the effects of the health crisis on our activities and will provide updates to our stakeholder community as soon as possible.
If you need assistance with any other OFCCP matters related to the health crisis, please contact our Help Desk at 1-800-397-6251. The hearing impaired may call the text telephone (TTY) at 1-877-889-5627 or
submit an inquiry online
.
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Events - NOTE: Upcoming Events May Change
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WEBINAR: Inclusive Telework for Persons with Disabilities
with Debra Ruh
April 1st, 1 - 2pm Eastern
J
oin us for a webinar on the benefits and challenges of working from home. How can you create a telework set-up and policies at your organization to support people with disabilities? How can individuals remain productive and maintain their work-life balance while remote?
As more companies send employees home during the COVID-19 coronavirus crisis, it is important to learn ways to stay productive, have a work-life balance, and be inclusive of people with disabilities.
In this interactive webinar, we will discuss tips, tricks, tools, and best practices. Join us!
About the presenter
:
Debra Ruh
is a Global Disability Inclusion Strategist, market influencer, internationally recognized keynote speaker, published author, branding expert, successful entrepreneur, and an exceptional mother. Debra’s company, Ruh Global IMPACT, focuses on global disability inclusion strategies, digital marketing, and branding among many other services.
Debra was inducted into the the Susan M. Daniels Disability Mentoring Hall of Fame in the Class of 2019.
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Webinar: The ADA at Work: Considerations for COVID-19
April 1, 2020 from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. ET
Employers always need to balance the overarching purpose and productivity of their business with the needs of individual employees. This has never been as pertinent as it is right now, with the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Join the
Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability Inclusion (EARN)
for a webinar that will discuss balancing guidance on COVID-19 containment from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention with Equal Employment Opportunity Commission guidance on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Hear from guest experts from two regional ADA Centers on the implications of the pandemic on disability-related inquiries, medical examinations, and interpreting direct threat. Our experts will also discuss reasonable accommodations for telework, requests for which have spiked due to the required social distancing period.
Presenters include:
- Wendy Strobel Gower, Director, Northeast ADA Center and Co-Director of EARN
- Karen Goss, Co-Director, Mid-Atlantic ADA Center
Participation is free, but space is limited.
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Save the Date for April nTIDE Lunch & Learn Webinar
Friday April 3 2020 at 12 Noon EST
Join nTIDe for their monthly webinar detailing findings of the latest Jobs Report release, announcements from the disability employment field, and special guest presentations.
Agenda
- 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 - Valentina Morales, Fedcap Group
- 12:45 pm: Open Question & Answer period for attendees
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Webinar
Military Hiring and the Impact of COVID-19
Tuesday April 7, 2020
2:00-3:30 PM ET
During this presentation, Dave Lee will discuss the CVS Health approach to hiring veterans and the company’s efforts to support transitioning service members and military spouses. He will also address the impact COVID-19 is having on some of their programs and the concerns about how this could impact service members getting ready to leave the military.
Presenter: David Lee
Dave is a retired U.S. Army Colonel and business improvement leader with experience in operations, communications and marketing. He currently leads military community initiatives at CVS Health, a Fortune 10 company. Prior to his current role, Dave developed and lead recruitment marketing programs at Amazon and Bristol-Myers-Squibb and operated a consulting business immediately after leaving service. His military experience includes command of a 625-soldier field artillery battalion, assignments as a Secretary of Defense Corporate Fellow and Strategic Planner for the Secretary of the Army and Army Chief of Staff, and the Director of Marketing for the U.S. Army where he led the Army Strong campaign.
Dave is a 1985 graduate of the United States Military Academy and holds three master’s degrees from Webster University, the Air Command and Staff College and the Air Force’s premier school for strategists, the School of Advanced Air and Space Studies. In 2018 he completed the inaugural George W. Bush Institute Stand-To Veteran Leadership Program, a first-of-its-kind program aimed at individuals serving our nation’s veterans who are motivated to broaden their skillsets, knowledge, and influence across the country focusing on three veteran topics, education, healthcare and employment.
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Microsoft’s Jenny Lay-Flurrie has announced that their annual event is now going to be virtual! So great opportunity for more people to “attend” this year.
May 27 and 28
The 10th Annual Microsoft Ability Summit is moving to an all digital event! The Ability Summit brings together people with disabilities, allies, and accessibility professionals to Imagine, Build, Include, and Empower the future of disability inclusion and accessibility. And for the first time we will share content virtually!
2020 Ability Summit will feature:
- Keynotes from Microsoft executives and notable members of the disability community
- Expert panels featuring exciting projects and innovations
- Demos of the latest accessibility features in Office, Windows, Xbox, and more.
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The 2nd Annual Digital Accessibility Legal Summit
Updates, Best Practices & Core‑Concept Training
Postponed
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2020 Melwood Ability Awards - Postponed
This event has been postponed to later in the year.
Further details will be posted as they become available.
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Annual Summit- Postponed
The Institute for Workplace Equality has been monitoring news of the impact of COVID-19, otherwise known as the coronavirus. We would like to emphasize that the health and safety of our registrants is our first priority. After reviewing government recommendations and careful deliberation, we have made the difficult decision to postpone our Diversity & Inclusion and Annual Summit events. Please stay tuned for updates on the rescheduled dates.
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46th Annual AAAED National Conference and Annual Meeting - Cancelled
Richard Anthony Baker, M.P.A., J.D., PhD.
Unprecedented is the only word fit to describe the times we find ourselves in today. We are all concerned about what the coronavirus pandemic means for our health, our livelihoods and our communities. Just like you, I have spent the past few weeks taking in round the clock news coverage about the pandemic, hunkering down with my family at home, practicing social distancing when I venture out for groceries and other necessities, and trying to adjust as I shift the performance of my job exclusively to a virtual space. As we wonder what out of this experience will become our new normal, my role as president of this organization is to make sure you know that, despite the uncertainty of the times we find ourselves, AAAED remains steadfast in providing members the information, resources, and support they need to propel their careers as equal opportunity professionals. As we contemplated the various government orders to de-densify and limit physical contact, we recognized that our proceeding with the Conference may put our health at risk. This would be antithetical to our purpose. Additionally, when we heard from members about travel and financial restraints they were suddenly facing and forecasted the economic impact this pandemic would have on employers and sponsors, we concluded that our proceeding with the conference in June would be commercially impractical and irresponsible. Therefore, in light of the emergence and spread of the Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) in the United States and abroad, the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors for American Association for Access, Equity and Diversity (AAAED), has voted to cancel this year’s national conference scheduled for June 6 – 10, 2020 in Washington D.C.
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Disability:IN 2020 Annual Conference
July 13-16, 2020
Orlando, FL
Disability:IN will make its decision on the conference in May. Stay Tuned.
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NILG 2020 National Conference
A Vision for the Future
National Harbor, Maryland
July 28-31, 2020
THE place to be for Affirmative Action, Equal Employment Opportunity, and Diversity/Inclusion fields.
In light of the COVID-19 situation, we’d like to provide an update on the NILG 2020 National Conference.
Currently, we expect the conference to proceed as planned.
While the health and safety of our attendees, staff, partners and volunteers is our top priority, it is simply too early to predict how the situation will transpire over the next four months. We are monitoring federal agency guidance related to the COVID-19 virus closely and will be working with state and local agencies daily to plan for a safe conference. We will continue to evaluate our preparations as the situation may warrant. As you may know, the situation is extremely fluid, and information is evolving even as you read this.
To allow time for the COVID-19 situation to be addressed in the U.S., we are extending our Early-Bird rates through June 10.
While it is our fervent hope the conference will be held as planned, should circumstances change, we will update you promptly. If you have specific questions, please contact our Registration Coordinator, Sandy Isho at
sandy@perteam.com
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Save the date for the Mid-Atlantic ADA Conference 2020!
27th Annual Conference on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Presented by TransCen, Inc. and the Mid-Atlantic ADA Center
September 9 - 11, 2020
Alexandria, Virginia
To join the list to receive information about the 2020 Mid-Atlantic ADA Conference send a message to
ADAtraining@transcen.org
.
Questions about the Mid-Atlantic ADA Conference, contact:
Mid-Atlantic ADA Center
1-800-949-4232 V/TTY in DC
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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
- Business to business networking
- Introductions to community partners
- Access to talent
- Hot topic programming led by Subject Matter Experts
- Webinars
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. W
ith 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 designed for enterprise wide learning.
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