Disability Business News
You Need to Know
June 2021
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US Department of Labor Announces ‘America’s Recovery: Powered by Inclusion’ Is 2021 National Disability Employment Awareness Month Theme
Held each October, National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) raises awareness about disability employment issues, and celebrates the many and varied contributions of America's workers with disabilities.
The theme for NDEAM 2021, “America’s Recovery: Powered by Inclusion,” reflects the importance of ensuring that people with disabilities have full access to employment and community involvement during the national recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
NDEAM is held each October to commemorate the many and varied contributions of people with disabilities to America’s workplaces and economy. Browse our website for ideas and resources for employers, community organizations, state and local governments, advocacy groups and schools to participate in celebrating NDEAM through events and activities centered around the theme of “America’s Recovery: Powered by Inclusion.”
An NDEAM poster will be available soon!
Plan NDEAM Observances
What can YOU do to celebrate NDEAM? There are lots of ways! Explore the ideas below designed for:
NDEAM every day
How about a plan for Every. Single. Day. of National Disability Employment Month? Start here with day one and plan for 31 days of NDEAM.
Get NDEAM Materials
ODEP offers a range of resources to help employers and other organizations plan NDEAM observances, including not only the official poster (available soon!), but also sample articles, a press release, proclamation, and social media content.
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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
Please Donate!
Shop Amazon Smile!
In these ongoing unprecedented times, non-profits face the situation of limited funding. The DC Metro Chapter is no different. As we continue to provide education and resources with the newsletters and free virtual programming, your support is needed now more than ever. Please consider a donation to support our mission in support of our monthly efforts! As most of us are shopping virtually these, days, please shop on Amazon Smile!
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Support Our Mission through your Membership
Be Recognized for your Leadership Brand
Annual Membership
Corporate - $2,000
Gold - $3,000
Diamond - $5,000
Platinum - $10,000
Non-Profit - $750
Small Business - $800
Government - $2,300
Individual - $200
Introductory Corporate Friends - $600
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COVID-19 Resources
NOW ON OUR WEBSITE!
As the leading regional business on disability inclusion, it seems critical to provide our employers with important information on COVID 19. Check out the listings on our website. Contact us if you have others to add!
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IN THE NEWS - Articles of Interest |
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Global business collective, The Valuable 500, announces it has reached its goal of 500 international organisations committing to put disability inclusion on their board agenda, making it the world’s biggest CEO collective for disability inclusion.
Since The Valuable 500 was launched at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting at Davos in 2019, some of the most recognisable businesses from across the world have joined the campaign for inclusion, including Allianz, Apple, BBC, BP, The Coca-Cola Company, Daimler, Deloitte, EY, Google, Microsoft, Nestle, P&G, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., Prada, Shell, Sky, Sony, Twitter, Unilever, Virgin Media, Verizon and Vodafone. The membership includes 36 of the FTSE 100 companies, 46 of the Fortune 500 and 28 of the Nikkei.
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KKR Makes $55 Million Investment in eSSENTIAL Accessibility
Leading Digital Accessibility Platform drives Greater Inclusion of People with Disabilities
TORONTO & NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--KKR announced a $55 million investment in eSSENTIAL Accessibility (“eA” or the “Company”), the pioneering provider of Accessibility-as-a-Service. As the digital divide for people with disabilities expands and the number of companies facing Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-related litigation continues to skyrocket, eA’s digital accessibility platform addresses the growing demand for a comprehensive, sustainable solution.
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Despite the prevalence of disabilities and the ongoing work of GAAD, significant digital accessibility gaps exist today.
Just in time for Global Accessibility Awareness Day, Apple has released a bundle of new software features across its operating systems designed for people with mobility, vision, hearing and cognitive disabilities.
“At Apple, we’ve long felt that the world’s best technology should respond to everyone’s needs, and our teams work relentlessly to build accessibility into everything we make,” Sarah Herrlinger, Apple’s senior director of Global Accessibility Policy and Initiatives, said in a statement.
“With these new features, we’re pushing the boundaries of innovation with next-generation technologies that bring the fun and function of Apple technology to even more people – and we can’t wait to share them with our users.”
The first of the new features, SignTime, launches today and allows users to communicate with AppleCare and Retail Customer Care using sign language. Initially, the feature supports American Sign Language for people in the U.S., British Sign Language for those in the U.K. and French Sign Language for users in France, but Apple said it has plans to roll out into additional locations in the future.
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In honor of Global Accessibility Awareness Day, take a look at some of their new initiatives to create a more inclusive and equitable future for people with disabilities.
When Verizon joined The Valuable 500 last year, we became part of a network of the world's largest businesses dedicated to driving greater disability inclusion. After recruiting 500 companies to join the coalition,The Valuable 500 announced today a partnership with a select group of industry leaders, including Allianz, EY, Google, P&G, Salesforce, Sony and Verizon, to develop programs that will break down barriers for people with disabilities.
Verizon will work with The Valuable 500 to upskill students with the curriculum and experience they need to dream and design a world that's inclusive for all. We will focus our efforts on scaling Teach Access, a collaboration among education, industry, and disability advocacy organizations to enhance students' understanding of digital accessibility so that the leaders of tomorrow are prepared to build for everyone today.
"I believe technology is key to unlocking a more inclusive and equitable future for people with disabilities. The right technology can offer a greater quality of life, access and independence, which is why it is so important to amplify the voices of the disability community and bring their perspectives to the forefront, as a guiding principle around what we create and build." - Hans Vestberg
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Emerging Technologies in the Workplace Webinar
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The National Disability Mentoring Coalition (NDMC), in partnership with the student-led organization, Disability Rights, Education, Activism and Mentoring (DREAM) at the National Center for College Students with Disabilities (NCCSD), is pleased to announce a call for applications for the 2021 Dinah F. B. Cohen Fellowship Program to provide college students and recent graduates with disabilities with professional skills and leadership development opportunities.
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Melwood’s 2021 Ability Awards
Calling for Nominations!
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Melwood is calling for nominations of outstanding employers, researchers, policymakers, organizations and individuals who are working to advance the field of employment for people with disabilities and injured veterans:
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Melwood’s Accelerator Award celebrates individuals, programs, and/or organizations that are paving the way for ADA 2.0 by innovating and pushing boundaries towards the goal of a fully inclusive, neurodiverse workforce.
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Melwood’s Advocacy Award recognizes individuals, programs, and/or organizations whose advocacy has had a substantial impact on the employment rights of people with disabilities.
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Melwood’s Impact Award honors individuals, programs and/or organizations that have achieved extraordinary outcomes related to neurodiversity and employment.
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Melwood’s Resiliency Award recognizes a person or organization that had the commitment and was successful at providing services, assistance, and/or accommodations to individuals with disabilities or injured veterans during the COVID-19 crisis.
You may nominate yourself or others for the 2021 Melwood Ability Awards. The judges panel includes key representatives from Marymount University, the Greater Washington Board of Trade, Dominion Energy, Prince George’s County, Kaiser Permanente, NFP | The Meltzer Group, and the Special Olympics. Awards Criteria. The deadline for nominations is July 1, 2021. Submit your nomination.
Plan to join us virtually on Thursday, October 7, 2021 for a lively celebration of the people and organizations who are impacting, accelerating, and advocating for people with disabilities and injured veterans in the areas of employment. Melwood will award the Advocacy, Accelerator, Impact, and Resiliency awards, recognizing the outstanding individuals, employers, researchers, policymakers, and innovative companies that have advanced the field of employment for individuals with disabilities and injured veterans. The awards ceremony will feature members of Congress, Biden Administration officials, notable figures in the fields of disability advocacy and employment and, of course, the finalists and winners of Melwood’s 2021 Ability Awards. During the formal program, the audience will also have a chance to participate in a silent auction packed with exciting art, travel, and entertainment packages. After the formal program, guests can go to various interactive rooms for social mixing and networking. Sponsorships Additional details can be found on our website.
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Events In The DC Metro Area and Beyond |
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NDMC Quarterly Networking Meeting
Friday, June 4th
1:00-2:00pm EDT.
Open to all interested individuals and organizations
We will view and LISTEN, a self-funded short film by and with nonspeaking autistic people which was created by CommunicationFirst. As CommunicationFIRST asserts, “Genuine representation and inclusion is essential for our people to rise out of invisibility, erasure, isolation, segregation, and extreme marginalization. Those with power and privilege must use that power and privilege to listen, honor, represent, and include other human beings without that kind of power and privilege.”
We are thrilled to have representatives from CommunicationFirst and the creators of LISTEN at the event, including Jordyn Zimmerman, Hari Sirinivansan and Bob Williams.
Please join us to support this important work and also discuss the importance of mentors for all people, including nonspeaking people. We will identify ways to build more inclusive mentoring programs, spaces and experiences.
CART will be provided during this event. Please contact Kristin with any questions, accommodation requests and to RSVP.
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nTIDE Lunch & Learn - Season 6, Episode 6
Description
• 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 - Kathy West-Evans, CSAVR
• 12:45 pm: Open Question & Answer period for attendees
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United Cerebral Palsy
Featuring Carlos Gonzalez-Deschamps
"Motivational Disability Awareness."
June 4. 2021
1 to 2 p.m. ET
Gonzalez-Deschamps is a Supervisor & Community Education Coordinator for Cerebral Palsy Alberta in Edmonton, Alberta, one of two UCP affiliates in Canada.
The presentation melds Carlos's personal experiences, challenges, successes living with cerebral palsy, and how he's learned to overcome all obstacles while gaining independence in a new country.
In addition, Carlos will talk about a new podcast called "My Life Without Limits," which he hosts with co-founder CP Alberta Communication and Engagement Special Leah Ison.
Gonzalez, who originally hails from Monterrey, Mexico, has found a way to incorporate motivational speaking into his community outreach and disability awareness presentations.
The 35-minute presentation will be followed by a 20-minute question-and-answer period.
We look forward to seeing you online.
This event is free and open to the public.
Questions: Email United Cerebral Palsy Communications Coordinator James Garcia at jgcvm1@gmail.com.
NOTE: A Zoom link will be sent to you 24 hours before the start of this presentation.
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Lessons Learned from SSA Demonstrations: A State-of-the-Science Meeting
June 15, 2021
9:45 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. ET
This free virtual event hosted by the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) will discuss lessons learned about which policies, programs, and other operational decisions could provide effective supports for disability beneficiaries who want to work. “Lessons Learned from SSA Demonstrations: A State-of-the-Science Meeting” will bring together more than 30 researchers and experts in disability and social policy. Registration is free and open to the public. More information about the event and participating presenters is available online.
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Enriching Lives Breakfast
Wednesday June 16th
9-10 AM EST
Please RSVP HERE and you can look forward to another fun, feel-good Enriching Lives Breakfast to start your day.
Start your morning by hearing from our youth and veterans about their stories of hope, perseverance and triumph.
This is a fundraiser – but you don’t have to donate to attend. Just come and listen to people whose lives have been dramatically changed by attending programs like
- Camp Accomplish – our inclusive summer camp for children of all abilities.
- Operation Tohidu® – our specialized retreat programs for veterans and their families affected by post-traumatic stress and military sexual trauma.
As we start on the road to recovery from the pandemic, this is a critical time for Melwood to not “miss a beat” in providing services to people who rely on us. We have to pivot from virtual programs to in-person programs but still continue the innovative virtual programs we pioneered for people who don’t yet feel comfortable returning in person.
Many of you attended the Catalyst for Inclusion events in the spring which focused on children and youth with disabilities and injured veterans. At that time, we told you about the upcoming Enriching Lives Breakfast as the culmination of those events. During the series, you heard about the challenges faced by children transitioning from school to adulthood, the toll of the pandemic on the education and well-being of children with disabilities, how veterans’ lives were transformed by our Operation Tohidu® retreats and the financial planning options for people with disabilities and their families. We hope you found the sessions informative. If you missed some of them, you can find them HERE.
We look forward to seeing you online on June 16 from 9-10 am EST.
Melwood’s programs have helped thousands of people with disabilities and injured veterans in the DC Metro Area for almost 60 years – but we have so much more to do! YOUR SUPPORT is essential to our success. If you can’t attend but would like to support this event, please go HERE to make a donation.
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Virtual WMILG Meeting
Thursday, June 24, 2021
12-1:30pm EDT.
The feature presentation, entitled Practical Guidance on Pay Equity, will consist of experts in pay equity and analysis including Katie Mantoan (Of Counsel, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, LLP) and Rick Holt (Partner, Resolutions Economics, LLC). After the presentation, our OFCCP and EEOC representatives will provide updates.
We are again welcoming questions for our OFCCP government representatives. Please submit your questions to WMILG Vice President Brandon Moon by June 17th so that we can forward them in time to receive an answer during our meeting.
We would also like to repeat our invitation to our members and attendees who may be interested in joining the WMILG Steering Committee. If you are interested in serving on the committee in any capacity, please email WMILG President Joanna Colosimo
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Perspectives: Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Hosted by IYellow
Featuring
RIT/NTID
Gallaudet
Clear2 Connect
DomeAUDIOInc.
Perspectives: Blind and Vision Impaired
Hosted by AFB
Featuring
Kirk Adams
Service Animals
Alan Muir
Perspectives: Equitable Access
Hosted by eSSENTIAL Accessibility
Perspectives: Learning and Advancing Disability Entrepreneurship and Engagement: New Perspectives on Supplier Diversity
Veteran Symposium
Hosted by Deloitte
Transition: Part 1
Mental Health: Part 2
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Now Virtual
JULY 12 - JULY 15, 2021
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NILG 2021 National Conference!
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE
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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
Join our
Follow us on
Our Board
Board Members:
- John Annand, Marriott International
- Jennifer Bassett, Secretary, JBG SMITH Companies
- Michelle Crabtree, Town of Vienna
- Ellen de Bremond, Treasurer
- Anjali Desai-Margolin, Gallaudet University
- Tom Downs, Booz Allen Hamilton
- Dan Ellerman, Mars
- Andrea Hall, Past Chair, General Dynamics Mission Systems
- Sophie Howard, Chair, General Dynamics IT
- Eduardo Meza-Etienne, eSSENTIAL Accessibility
- Chrisonna Palmer, Vice Chair, EY
- Carrie Martin, MAXAR Technologies
- Jamel Walker, Northrop Grumman
- Ryan Walters, Deloitte
- Myra Wilder, BAE Systems
Advisory Board Members:
- Orly Barbosa, Sandy Spring Bank
- Meghan Cadigan, KPMG
- Crosby Cromwell, The Valuable 500
- Ron Drach, Drach Consulting, LLC
- Rikki Epstein, The Arc of Northern VA
- Sylvia Henri-Wonasue, Lockheed Martin
- Karen Herson, Concepts, Inc.
- Craig Leen, GMU Scalia Law, Former OFCCP Director
- Jessica Lee Aiello, IYellow Group
- Cynthia Richardson-Crooks, DC BLN Founding Chair
- Rick Rodgers, The Resource Network
- Kia Silver-Hodge, Enterprise Community Partners
- Bob Vetere, C5 Consulting, LLC
- Sue Werber, C5 Consulting, LLC
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. She recently joined GRACE Global Response and Collaborative Environment as Director of Inclusion.
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 designed for enterprise wide learning.
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