DISABILITY NEWS YOU NEED TO KNOW

NOVEMBER 2023

Honoring Our Veterans

November 11th is a day set aside each year to honor those who have served and continue to serve our nation. Not to be confused with Memorial Day, the day we pay tribute to fallen service members.

Veterans Day offers an excellent opportunity to teach civilians about the sacrifices service members and their families make year-round. The holiday also provides Veterans and their families with activities you may not find every day.

The History

Veterans Day is a holiday honoring all service members. 

World War I officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, but the fighting actually ended seven months before then, when the Allies and Germany put into effect an armistice on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, according to the U.S. Department of Defense.

Ways to Celebrate

Celebrating Veterans Day provides an opportunity to show appreciation for veterans and recognize their contributions to the nation. Here are ways to participate in the celebrations:

• Attend Parades and Ceremonies: Many cities and communities organize parades and ceremonies to honor veterans. Participate in these events to show your support.
• Visit Veterans Memorials: Pay a visit to local veterans memorials or cemeteries to pay your respects and reflect on the sacrifices made by veterans.
• Thank a Veteran: Express your gratitude to veterans you know personally or encounter in your community.
• Volunteer: Offer your time to volunteer with organizations that support veterans, such as VA hospitals or veterans’ service organizations.
• Donate to Veteran Causes: Contribute to charities that provide assistance to veterans and their families.
• Display the Flag: Fly the U.S. flag to honor veterans and show your patriotic spirit.

Leveraging SkillBridge to Hire Veterans with Disabilities

November 16, 2023

12:00-1:00 ET

Register for November 16th

Opening Remarks

The Honorable James D. Rodriguez

Assistant Secretary for Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS)

U.S. Department of Labor

In recognition of Veterans Day, this session will delve into the diverse and extensive contributions of Veterans in the workplace. Panelists will discuss this often misunderstood area of translating work experience and share best practices for applying SkillBridge in outreach, recruitment, and the workplace to benefit employees and their employers.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand Veteran culture and how to apply it to your outreach and recruitment
• Develop a recruitment strategy leveraging the SkillBridge Program
• Hear from Veteran panelists who will discuss their transition into civilian employment

Panelists:

• Kristopher Rick, Training and Partnership Lead for VETS, U.S. Department of Labor
• Marcia Edwards, Diversity Recruitment Specialist & SkillBridge Lead, Mayo Clinic
• Paul Maetzold, Operations Manager, Mayo Clinic
• Cierra White, Project Manager, Mayo Clinic

Moderated by Andrea Hall, Diversity & Inclusion Sr. Manager, General Dynamics Missions System

Hosted By The Center for Disability Inclusion, Disability:IN Chicagoland, DC Metro, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.

Veteran Hiring Resources for Employers

Regional Veterans’ Employment Coordinator

Philadelphia Region | Matthew Passmore

Passmore.Matthew.A@dol.gov   

Delaware, DC, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia,   

West Virginia

Regional Veterans' Employment Coordinators (RVECs) engage with local, regional, and national employers and connect them with Federal, state, and local resources to facilitate veterans’ employment.

RVECs also develop and leverage partnerships with government, non-government and industry stakeholders in the veteran employment space to include training providers and industry associations.

Veteran Employment Outreach Program (VEOP)

VEOP’s mission is to make it easier for employers to find and hire service members, veterans, and military spouses. Regional Veterans’ Employment Coordinators (RVECs) work to help employers find service members, veterans, and military spouses.

Find out more about VEOP / RVEC: 

Download the Employment Outreach Flyer

Employer Guide to Hiring Veterans

The Employer Guide to Hire Veterans is designed to assist employers find, hire and retain veterans.

Download the Employer Guide to Hiring Veterans (PDF)

Employers everywhere are discovering a new type of employee. They create your future workforce, lift up your community, and help grow your business. We call them an apprentice. Get started today and explore Registered Apprenticeship.

Apprenticeship flyer for employers, service members and veterans.

The "Tear The Paper Ceiling" campaign aims to change the narrative around the value and potential of workers who are Skilled Through Alternative Routes (STARs), rather than through a traditional degree. See how Registered Apprenticeship STARS and employers tear the paper ceiling in the Tech Industry.

Click here to learn more about the campaign.

National Apprenticeship Week

Registered Apprenticeship: Superhighway to Good Jobs

This year NAW’s theme is “Registered Apprenticeship: Superhighway to Good Jobs,” to reflect the prominence that Registered Apprenticeship has received as a proven and industry-driven training model that expedites the pathway into good jobs and improves diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) in the workplace. Registered Apprenticeship is recognized as a key strategy to improving job quality and creating access to good-paying jobs for all, including populations historically underrepresented – women, people of color, and individuals with a disability – and underserved populations, such as youth and young adults. It addresses some of our nation’s pressing workforce shortages in teaching, advanced manufacturing, clean energy, cybersecurity, and other high-priority sectors.

Check Out DEIA and Apprenticeships

We look forward to the 9th Annual NAW: November 13-19, 2023! It’s never too early to start planning. Here are the daily themes:

• Monday, November 13: Registered Apprenticeship for Youth 
• Tuesday, November 14: Registered Apprenticeship in New and Emerging Industries
• Wednesday, November 15: Expanding Registered Apprenticeship to Underserved Populations
• Thursday, November 16: Women in Registered Apprenticeship
• Friday, November 17: Registered Apprenticeship for Veterans and Federal Employees

What is National Apprenticeship Week?



NAW is a nationwide celebration where employers, industry associations, labor organizations, community-based organizations, workforce partners, education providers, and government leaders host events to showcase the successes and value of Registered Apprenticeship. Apprenticeships are instrumental in re-building our economy, advancing racial and gender equity, building a pipeline to good quality jobs, and supporting underserved communities. 

Honor Veterans Year-Round

• Celebrate with service. Show service members your gratitude throughout the year with a home-cooked meal, thank you note or day of volunteering.
• Support veteran-owned businesses. It's not always easy to identify which businesses are founded or operated by veterans. ...
• Express thanks. ...
• Send a card.

Veteran Unemployment Rate was 2.9% in October

In October 2023, the veteran unemployment rate was 2.9%, down from 3.6% the previous month and up from 2.7% the prior year.

Also in October 2023, the comparable non-veteran unemployment rate was 3.7%, up from 3.6% the previous month and up from 3.6% the prior year.

The unemployment rates are seasonally adjusted and for individuals aged 18 years and over in the civilian non-institutional population.

Only Two more months to take advantage of the 50% New Member savings!

in honor of the

50th Anniversary of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

Disability:IN DC Metro

The event begins at 6:00 pm and ends at 8:00 pm – 

By Invitation (limited space)

DC Metro Disability Inclusion Celebration at Deloitte

Hosted by Deloitte, this event promises an incredible networking opportunity. Come and connect with like-minded individuals and engage in thought-provoking discussions. Together, let’s foster a more inclusive society where everyone’s abilities are valued and celebrated.



If you are a new corporate member or seeking corporate membership and wish to attend, please reach out with your request.

Showcase your Commitment to DEIA

and become a DC Metro Sponsor Partner!

Be recognized in the

National Capital Region as a DEIA leader!

What's the Brand Benefit?

As a DEIA leader, branding plays an important part in your work. As a Disability:IN DC Metro Sponsor Partner you can grow customer loyalty, compete in the Washington DC Metro market and attract talent.

Sponsor Partners are featured prominently on our website, in our monthly newsletter and on our Disability IQ Professional Development Center and can sponsor a program. The Titanium and Platinum options offer the opportunity to keynote a program. You can also become a Keynote Sponsor regardless of your employee count for $5,000.

Become a Sponsor Partner Today!

$850- $10,000

Members can be Sponsor Partners too!

Thank You to Our Sponsor Partners!

Disability:IN DC Metro is a Proud Sponsor of Omnium Circus 2024!

Great for Holiday or Birthday Gifting!

Mark Your Calendar for February 24, 2024!

Capital One Hall Tyson’s Va 7750 Capital One Tower Rd, Tysons, Virginia, United States

Join Disability:IN DC Metro for this amazing "I'm Possible" Event!

OMNIUM CIRCUS is a world-renowned comprehensively inclusive and accessible circus company bringing excitement, thrills and joy to people of all ages as only a circus can! Step into a world of all things possible where we discover the power, the passion, and the perseverance of the human spirit within each one of us!

Your tickets will ensure that you, your guests and your family enjoy this amazing event. As a DC Metro Member or Friend, your tickets enable you "pre-show access" to meet and engage with the performers, enjoy refreshments in the VIP Lounge during the show and support Disability:IN DC Metro at the same time - Tax-Free!

DRIVING CHANGE-

CREATING OPPORTUNITY

The Latest News

from

The Office of Disability Employment Policy

PEAT’s vision is a future where new and emerging technologies are accessible to the workforce by design.

• Learn how automated surveillance can create barriers for workers with disabilities
• Read our 2023 Broadband Equity Think Tank Report
• Hear from accessibility experts
• Inclusive Apprenticeship Programs

Subscribe to PEAT’s Newsletter to stay current on accessible workplace technology topics.

Read the Disability Led Innovation Report

In Case You Missed It:

Campaign for Disability Employment Wins Platinum PR Award

The Campaign for Disability Employment (CDE) recently won a prestigious Platinum PR Award. The CDE’s “Mental Health at Work: What Can I Do?” PSA and supporting products took top honors in the Campaign of the Year – Other category. Sponsored by PR News, the Platinum PR Awards is a competitive awards program in the communications space, with winning entries representing excellence across people, teams and campaigns.  

• Learn more about the “Mental Health at Work: What Can I Do?” PSA campaign
• View the 2023 Platinum PR Award winners

2023 Allstate Business Diversity Summit: 

Leading by Example:

Accelerating Impact in the Community

November 13-17

Advocating for diverse supplier success is needed now more than ever as we see many businesses suffering in the aftermath of COVID and inflation. With research showing that women and minority owned businesses are the largest employers of other women and minorities, there are ripple effects impacting our communities.

We’re inviting you to join us (virtually) at the 2023 Allstate Business Diversity Summit: Leading by Example: Accelerating Impact in the Community, November 13-17.  We will have interactive and thought-provoking sessions with Allstate colleagues, other Fortune 500 corporate executives and leading business diversity experts who will discuss opportunities for corporations, minority-owned businesses, and minority business councils to work together to create economic impact for our respective businesses and our communities.

Allstate has been at the forefront of advancing equity through our support and partnerships with minority suppliers for over 56 years. We held our first minority and women’s supplier fair in 1967. In 1973, we formalized our diversity supplier program and began hosting an annual business development day. Last year we went bigger and bolder and launched a week-long Business Diversity Summit that brought together corporate executives, government officials, business development council leaders and diverse business owners to drive minority supplier success.

Don’t miss this year’s Summit as Allstate and other Fortune 500 companies share how supporting diverse businesses creates business value, strengthens communities, and creates jobs, and the role you play in making this possible. We look forward to having you join us. 

Randy Lytes

Manager, Business Diversity and Sustainability

Sourcing & Procurement Solutions

Allstate 

rlyte@allstate.com

NATIONAL CONFERENCES

World Institute on Disability 40th Anniversary- Virtual

November 7, 2023

Noon ET

 REGISTER TO ATTEND & GET THE ZOOM LINK

 LEARN MORE ABOUT WID'S 40TH ANNIVERSARY

For the past 4 decades, WID has been committed to advancing inclusion, independence and equal opportunities for people with disabilities. As a valued member of our community, we warmly welcome you to join us as we celebrate this important milestone.

Our virtual event celebration will feature special guests, entertainment, and will highlight findings from our Global Strategic Planning Sessions.

Registration and attendance is free for all. If your financial situation allows, we kindly invite you to support our mission and the continued success of our initiatives by making an optional donation.

In this step, you may also choose to make your donation in honor or in memory of someone, and provide a personal note that will be sent to the recipient or their family/friend. All donations are tax-deductible and your receipt and letter will be emailed to you, immediately following your donation.