Disability Business News
You Need to Know
May 2021
Mental Health Awareness Month
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Each year millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental illness. During May, NAMI joins the national movement to raise awareness about mental health. Each year we fight stigma, provide support, educate the public and advocate for policies that support people with mental illness and their families.
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You Are Not Alone
For 2021’s Mental Health Awareness Month NAMI will continue to amplify the message of “You Are Not Alone.” We will use this time to focus on the healing value of connecting in safe ways, prioritizing mental health and acknowledging that it’s okay to not be okay through NAMI’s blog, personal stories, videos, digital toolkits, social media engagements and national events.
Together, we can realize our shared vision of a nation where anyone affected by mental illness can get the appropriate support and quality of care to live healthy, fulfilling lives — a nation where no one feels alone in their struggle.
Help us spread the word through awareness, support and advocacy activities. Share awareness information, images and graphics for #MHAM throughout May.
Resources
Partner Resources
Share Your Story
Throughout the month, we will feature personal stories from real people experiencing mental health conditions. By reading about lived experiences, we aim to make people feel less alone in their mental health journeys and increase awareness about mental illness.
Share your story and tell us what the message of "You Are Not Alone" means to you!
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EARN Mental Health Resource
Checklist for Mentally Healthy Workplaces: A checklist from the Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability Inclusion (EARN) can help employers celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month and create a mentally healthy workplace. Research suggests that employees experience an average of 3.46 “poor mental health days” per month each year in the US, which negatively affects productivity and earnings. The checklist breaks leading mental wellness practices into four pillars, known as the “4 A’s”: Awareness, Accommodations, Assistance and Access.
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MAY WEBINAR
Perspectives on Mental Health
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May 24 2021
12:00 NOON - 1:00 PM
Accommodations Request: This event will be captioned.If you require additional accommodations, please email: katherine.McCary@gmail.com four days prior.
Sponsored by Disability:IN DC Metro, and KPMG's Ability in Motion ERG (AIM), a panel of employers, individuals and parents will discuss their journeys.
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JUNE WEBINAR
Perspectives on Entrepreneurship
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Viscardi National Center for Disability Entrepreneurship
June 8, 2021
2:00-3:30 pm
Sponsored by The iYellow Group our June webinar will support the DC Metro chapter's support of entrepreneurs with disabilities.
The National Center for Disability Entrepreneurship (NCDE) at The Viscardi Center is an extraordinary resource that educates and transforms innovative self-starters to achieve self-employment success.
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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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'Normal didn't work for us': People with disabilities worry about loss of virtual options |
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Many activities transitioned online amid the pandemic, to the relief of people with disabilities, but now, it seems that that access may go away.
By Kerry Breen
Eiryn Griest Schwartzman spent years fighting for academic accommodations at their Maryland college with little success, but the coronavirus pandemic changed everything: In-person classes became virtual, with closed-captioning features, making it possible for them to follow what was going on in class.
"That's been a game changer for me," said Griest Schwartzman, 23, who uses they/them pronouns. "... Now I actually have the ability to understand material that I couldn't get before."
However, now that the world is looking towards "the new normal"' Griest Schwartzman and other people with disabilities are worried that accommodations that became standard in 2020 will not be available. Remote classes and work have opened doors for many, and virtual activities and gatherings expanded social bubbles even as many stayed home.
"There is a big push to be completely in-person, and I know it's happening at a lot of schools," said Griest Schwartzman, who has several chronic physical disabilities and psychological conditions. "... A lot of people that are lower risk are very eager to get back to some normal that they have in their mind, and that normal didn't work for us."
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We want your input!
Fill out the Vaccine Disability Equity Survey
Now that vaccine distribution is rapidly picking up pace, we want to find where people with disabilities continue to face barriers in accessing the COVID-19 vaccine. Take 10 minutes to complete the Accessible COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution to People with Disabilities survey to help us strategize for equitable access to the COVID-19 vaccine for and autonomy of people with disabilities.
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Coronavirus is not a 'get-out-of-jail card' for ADA compliance, EEOC commish says
As the pandemic evolves and the country's response shifts, employers must remember that ADA regs still require individualized assessments.
The coronavirus pandemic does not absolve employers of their Americans with Disabilities Act responsibilities, a U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission official told attendees at an April 8 American Bar Association conference.
And as the pandemic evolves and the country’s response shifts, employers must remember that ADA regulations still require individualized assessments for employees and applicants with disabilities. "There are likely to be significant changes to key underlying assessments in the ADA space, namely what constitutes a direct threat, and what rises to an undue hardship," Andrea Lucas, an EEOC commissioner, said, cautioning that she was not speaking for the full commission.
Going forward, "it's going to be even more important to take a very careful, highly individualized look at all COVID-19 related health and safety measures as well as accommodation requests related to them," she continued.
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Videos for Employers: Hiring and Accommodating Workers with Blindness or Low Vision
The Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Employment for People Who are Blind or Have Low Vision created several video resources to educate employers about hiring and working with employees who are blind or have low vision. “Blindness Basics for Employers”(link is external)
features 13 short videos answering some of the questions employers might have when considering whether to hire an applicant with blindness or low vision.
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Disability Rights Advocates
Establishes
Edith Prentiss Disability Justice Award
To carry forward the critical legacy of fiery, grassroots disability justice advocates in New York and across the Country.
On April 15, 2021 the Disability Rights Advocates (DRA) announced, with support from the Prentiss family, the establishment of the Edith Prentiss Disability Justice Award, to be bestowed annually on a disability justice advocate who demonstrates the same fire, passion, knowledge, and relentlessness that made Edith Prentiss such an impactful voice for people with disabilities.
“We’re so happy that Edith’s advocacy for people with disabilities will live on through this award,” said Andrew Prentiss. “It’s critically important that we inspire and recognize future generations of disability advocates to fight for what is right.”
DRA, a national non-profit legal center, came to know Ms. Prentiss as the organization established its New York office in 2010. DRA’s civil rights attorneys quickly recognized Ms. Prentiss as a fearless and generous leader in the disability community and partnered with her to break down illegal, systemic barriers preventing New Yorkers with disabilities from equal participation.
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Real Estate Magazine Highlights Inclusive Design at The New
Tom and Ruth Harkin Center
The new Tom and Ruth Harkin Center, home of The Harkin Institute for Public Policy & Citizen Engagement at Drake University, is featured in the Business Record’s recently-published Annual Real Estate Magazine.
Harkin Institute Policy Director Amy Bentley and BNIM Architects Kevin Nordmeyer and Jason Kruse wrote a column for the magazine highlighting how an inclusive environment can benefit business owners, consumers and employees. The column and accompanying photos highlight universal design and examples of inclusive building concepts present throughout the Harkin Center.
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2020 NBCUniversal Tony Coelho Media Scholarship
DEADLINE: May 20, 2021
Thanks to a generous contribution from NBCUniversal, the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) is proud offer eight (8) NBCUniversal Tony Coelho Media Scholarships for the fall semester of 2021.
The NBCUniversal Tony Coelho Media Scholarship is available to undergraduate and graduate students with disabilities who are pursuing an interest in the media, entertainment, or communications fields. Each recipient will receive $5,625 to help cover the cost of education.
This scholarship has been named in honor of Tony Coelho, a former United States Representative from California and the primary author and sponsor of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
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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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Veterans and Sexual Assault: What are the Numbers?
May 5, 2021 | 1:00 - 2:00pm
Free Webinar
In recent years, Melwood recognized that there was a need for specialized programs to help heal veterans who return from serving their country with the hidden wounds of trauma. This trauma is not always a result of combat experience. As Melwood developed its Operation Tohidu® retreat program, it received many applications from veterans affected by Military Sexual Trauma (MST) – trauma resulting from a physical assault of a sexual nature, battery of a sexual nature, or sexual harassment which occurred while serving in the military. This is related to Moral Injury, which can occur when a veteran feels that an institution -- in this case, the military -- has let them down and violated their deeply held beliefs.
Brooksi Bottari, Director, Veterans Initiatives along with cultural psychologist, Dr. Lois DiNatale, will discuss the prevalence and causes of MST and Moral Injury, how this impacts the lives of the affected veterans, and how Melwood’s specialized programs are offering support to a greatly underserved segment of the veterans community.
This is a free virtual and small-group event to help encourage an interactive session. There will be a chance for to ask questions and share your experiences and insights on camera or via the chat function.
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nTIDE Lunch & Learn - Season 6, Episode 5
May 7, 2021 | 12:00 - 1:00pm
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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: Conversation: A Reflection on the First Anniversary of the COVID Lockdown
- Andy Imparato, Disability Rights California
- Elaine Katz, Kessler Foundation
- Andrew Houtenville, UNH
- John O'Neill, Kessler Foundation
- Denise Rozell, AUCD
- 12:45 pm: Open Question & Answer period for attendees
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SpeakUp LightUp Virtual
May 7, 2021 - 5:00 - 5:30 pm
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Join Grace Gallagher and the CKG team as we shine a light on teen mental health. Let's celebrate and support current and future impacts. Relax and reflect on a favorite SULU memory. Raise a glass honoring Cameron's dream!
Cameron Gallagher was a bright and talented teenager. Although ever-smiling, she faced her own personal battles with depression and anxiety. She began to grow weary of keeping her struggles a private battle, and knew that there were many teens just like her who were in great pain behind closed doors. Her dream was to create a 5k race in her community to raise awareness of teenage depression. She began making plans for the race, and titled the race the SpeakUp5k in order to draw attention to the issue of teen depression. She wanted to let other teens like herself know that it was okay to “SpeakUp” about their personal battles.
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Q&A with the Cog/Psych Team: Challenging Mental Health Scenarios
Tuesday, May 11, 2021
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM Eastern
May is National Mental Health Month. Join consultants Melanie and James as they discuss challenging accommodation scenarios in the workplace when employees with mental health conditions need assistance. Discover creative and effective modifications employers can provide to help maintain productive employees with diverse needs. Bring questions relating to the challenging situations you face in your workplace.
Presenters:
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Baltimore Industry Liaison Group
2021 Q2 Meeting
May 11, 2021 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
9:00 - 9:30
BILG Networking/Open Forum
9:30 – 9:45
Welcome and BILG Business
9:45 – 11:00
The Biden-Harris Administration’s First 100 Days: What We Know and What Employers and Federal Contractors Can Expect Next
David Fortney and Nita Beecher – FortneyScott
The end of the Biden-Harris Administration’s first 100 days is a good time to assess what the administration has done so far and what employers, and in particular federal contractors, can expect next. David and Nita Beecher will review the accomplishments and latest developments by the Administration, Congress, and the federal agencies, and discuss what developments they can expect in the future. Also, there will be ample opportunity to have your questions answered.
David and Nita will discuss:
• President Biden’s Executive Orders and what they signal about the administration’s priorities
• Legislation pending in Congress that will impact employers, and how changes in the filibuster rule might impact passage
• Status of the Trump Administration regulations and directives
• Update on federal agencies
• What can employers/federal contractors can expect next
Approved for 1.25 SHRM Credits
11:00-11:05
Break
11:05-11:30
OFCCP Update
Tanya Bennett & Maurice Richard – Assistant District Directors, OFCCP
11:30-12:00
EEOC Update
Mary Tiernan - Outreach & Education Coordinator, EEOC
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NBDC Office Hours
May 18, 2021 – 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM ET
Featuring Bill Novelli, author of Good Business
There is no fee to join us, but you must register.
At a time when Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance (ESG), the three central factors in measuring the sustainability and societal impact of an investment in a company or business, is top of mind, John will be joined by Bill Novelli, author of GOOD BUSINESS: The Talk, Fight, Win Way to Change the World.
Doing good used to be secondary to making money, but now it is increasingly what can make you and your organization successful in the first place. Today’s business leaders see the power of purpose. They’re building social and environmental strategies into their core businesses to improve financial performance, gain a competitive edge and attract and keep talent – to achieve success for their shareholders, for other stakeholders and for society. Employees today want purpose as well as a paycheck, and graduates are also looking for companies that have social responsibility sewn into the fabric of the business.
During this Office Hours, we'll explore:
- How you can make a social difference regardless of what sector or business you’re in and wherever you are in your career
- How to bake social impact into a company’s mission
- How to lead the way to change organizational culture
- How to apply your own passion and values on the job
- How doing well by doing good creates value for all stakeholders
- How to bring business, civil society and government together to create lasting change
Come with your questions, to be addressed during the Q&A.
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Neuroscience of the Teen Brain
May 19, 2021 - 7:00 PM ET
Join CKG and Dr. Catherine Franssen as they discuss the neuroscience of the teen brain. Learn how it is normal and healthy brain development for teens to prioritize peer acceptance and how parents can help shape those decisions. We will also discuss the impacts of stress, screen time, drug and alcohol use, and mental health medication on teen brain development. Teens are welcome and encouraged to attend with their parent(s) or trusted adult.
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Thursday, May 20, 2021
4:30 p.m. ET / 3:30 p.m. CT / 2:30 p.m. MT / 1:30 p.m. PT
RespectAbility is proud to be a founding partner in the first-ever Mental Health Action Day on Thursday, May 20, spearheaded by MTV Entertainment Group alongside nearly 200 additional brands, nonprofits and cultural leaders. Though more people than ever are comfortable discussing mental health, suicide rates over the last two decades have still risen, particularly among young adults, and finding effective resources and knowing how to get help remains a challenge. Join us as we discuss the importance of portraying mental health accurately and authentically in TV, film, and other forms of media, especially as a means to create awareness and serve as a first step to systemic change. Panelists include Nikki Bailey (comedian, actress, author, and producer), Ali MacLean (playwright and TV writer), and Amanda Burdine (screenwriter) with more to be added soon. ASL interpreters and live captioning will be provided. [continue reading…]
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Celebrity Sports Night
Thursday, May 20, 2021
6:30 p.m. ET
In its 54th year, Celebrity Sports Night continues to be one of the premier fundraising events in the New York Metropolitan area. The event raises funds to enrich the lives of children and adults with all types of disabilities and acute medical needs and is attended by 600-800 members of the corporate world, community leaders, philanthropic individuals, celebrities and notable athletes.
For the 2021 virtual event, The Viscardi Center plans to emulate many of the classic experiences that their guests come back for every year, including celebrity meet-and-greets and a moving performance by their students with disabilities. They also plan to hold silent and live auctions virtually, both with an exciting array of items and packages. Past live auction items have included a round of golf with Jack Nicklaus and a private party in the New York Mets owners’ suite. One new element they are introducing is pre-event virtual meet-and-greets with celebrities for the VIP supporters.
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Black Disabled Global Disaster Experiences: Action Strategies
Thursday, May 20, 2021
12:00 - 1:00 p.m. ET
Panelists from the February 2021 event, Experiences of Black Disabled People During & After Disasters: A Global Conversation, will return to discuss how to: address racism and ableism, build forward to create an equitable culture and center Black leadership.
Captions in English and American Sign Language will be provided.
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Save the Dates!
Date: June 7 – 10, 2021
2:00 p.m. ET / 1:00 p.m. CT / 12:00 p.m. MT / 11:00 a.m. PT
Duration: 2 hours each day
You are invited to join RespectAbility for four days of fantastic sessions that prepare people with disabilities and the disability community for a better future.
These events will be free and fully accessible, with an ASL interpreter and live captions. Transcripts of each event will be posted following the presentations as well. Each event will also be recorded and shared with open captions.
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Lessons Learned from SSA Demonstrations: A State-of-the-Science Meeting
Date: 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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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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