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Dear Friend,
We are off to a strong start in 2025, building momentum in disability inclusion through education, mentoring, and career advancement. Thank you for your continued engagement in our programs and events!
A big thank you to Russell Shaffer for leading an insightful discussion on the Disability Equality Index (DEI) at our January 29 event. Attendees gained valuable insights into the value, process, and impact of participating in the DEI and how it helps organizations assess and enhance their disability inclusion efforts. If you missed the session, watch the recording for key takeaways.
Our 2025 Career Connections Mentoring Program is in full swing. Mentoring relationships are powerful tools for career growth, confidence-building, and professional development for both mentees and mentors. Thank you to everyone on this journey to create a more inclusive workforce.
Please mark your calendar for our annual Inclusive Career Fair on April 25. This virtual event connects job seekers with disabilities to inclusive employers committed to hiring diverse talent. Employers benefit from access to a broad, talented candidate pool, while job seekers gain opportunities to connect directly with companies prioritizing disability inclusion—more details to come. Stay tuned!
This month, we recognize key disability and diversity observances, including:
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Black History Month - Join us in honoring the critical contributions of Black Americans and reflecting on the intersections of racial justice and disability inclusion. Learn about some of the Black leaders with disabilities who have shaped history and paved the way for a more inclusive future for all.
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World Cancer Day (February 4) - Raising cancer awareness and supporting individuals affected.
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National Caregivers Day (February 16) - Recognizing those who provide care and support to individuals with disabilities and chronic illnesses.
To view more disability awareness dates and observances, check out Disability:IN’s 2025 Calendar. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay up-to-date with learning resources, upcoming events, and opportunities. Thank you for your continued support in making workplaces more inclusive. We look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events!
Warm regards,
Jamie Rudolph
Disability:IN Minnesota Board Chair
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ID: Headshot of Jamie Rudolph, a woman with long brunette hair. Jamie is wearing a maroon blazer and smiling at the camera. | |
DEI and Disability Inclusion Webinar
Wednesday, February 26
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM CDT
Tune into a webinar on DEI and Disability Inclusion hosted by our partners at Disability:IN DC Metro. The President's recent Executive Order on Diversity Equity & Inclusion (DEI) has prompted many of us to seek clarification, recognizing that Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act, the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistant Act remain in effect. Hear from Craig Leen, Disability:IN DC Metro's Strategic Advisory Board Member and Partner, K&L Gates (Former OFCCP Director under the first Trump Administration) as he shares his perspectives of the Trump DEI EO and Disability Inclusion.
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ID: Graphic reads "2025 Virtual Inclusive Career Fair. Friday, April 26, 1:00 - 4:00 PM" in green and white text against a dark blue background. Below is a white web icon and link to di-mn.org. To the right is a photo of a Black man with short dark hair sitting at a desk, participating in a virtual meeting. Several virtual meeting attendees appear on the desktop screen. Disability:IN Minnesota's logo appears below the photo. |
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2025 Inclusive Career Fair
Save the date and join us for our annual Inclusive Career Fair on Friday, April 25 from 1:00 - 4:00 PM CDT. This virtual event will be held on Zoom. We hope to see you there. Stay tuned for information and registration details coming soon!
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Want to sponsor the 2025 Inclusive Career Fair?
Invest in disability inclusion today! There are a variety of benefits to sponsoring the 2025 Inclusive Career Fair, including recognition during the event, on Disability:IN Minnesota's webpage, on social media, and more. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor for the event, please contact us at info@di-mn.org.
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ID: Graphic depicts an overview of 2025 Inclusive Career Fair Sponsorship Benefits by membership level. Benefits include Sponsorship logo on event home slide; sponsor name on Disability:IN MN website; Sponsor logo on Disability:IN MN homepage; Sponsorship logo on event agenda; Social Media sponsor recognition tag; Sponsor logo on virtual background in main room; Five minute welcome at event. | |
Thank you for renewing your membership! | |
ID: Logos for Disability:IN Minnesota members: Element Fleet Management, JEMNI, Inc., Land O' Lakes, Inc., Mayo Clinic, and UnitedHealth Group | |
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Featuring....
Mick Aeshliman, Sustainability & Compliance Manager at Room & Board
My name is Mick Aeshliman and I am currently employed at Room & Board where I lead our sustainability climate work and product compliance. For the past five years, I’ve been involved with Disability:IN Minnesota as a mentor in their Career Connections Mentoring Program. This program holds significant personal meaning to me, as I live with a disability. In 1994, I sustained a spinal cord injury, which resulted in becoming a T-12 paraplegic, and I now rely on a manual wheelchair for mobility. When I was entering the workforce over 20 years ago, I would have greatly benefited from a program like Career Connections. I’m grateful that I can now leverage the skills I’ve developed throughout my career to help others who are navigating similar challenges. It’s incredibly fulfilling to mentor individuals who are entering or reentering the workforce, and I enjoy learning about their unique experiences and the obstacles they face. I am proud to say that I remain in touch with all of my past mentees.
How has Disability:IN Minnesota’s work and offerings impacted you or your member company?
As a recent member, we’ve taken advantage of a few of the Disability:IN Minnesota's resources. One of the highlights was a virtual presentation by board member Jeanne Eglinton during Disability Pride Month last year. She provided a comprehensive overview of the organization’s mission and work, along with valuable resources for hiring managers and HR teams on creating more inclusive and accommodating environments for individuals with disabilities. This virtual Disability Inclusion Training session also highlighted recruitment opportunities for organizations seeking to engage with diverse talent pools.
How does integrating disability strengthen the workforce and economy overall?
People with disabilities represent a vast, untapped talent pool. The unemployment rate for individuals with disabilities is disproportionately higher than for other marginalized groups, yet they bring immense value to the workforce. I’ve observed that people with disabilities are often highly creative problem solvers, as they must find innovative solutions to navigate daily challenges. Additionally, they bring a unique perspective to the table, shaped by their lived experiences. Integrating disability into the workforce not only benefits individuals, but it also enriches organizations and strengthens the overall economy by embracing this diverse talent.
ID: Headshot of Mick Aeshliman, a white man with short dark hair. Mick is sitting at a table with his hands folded. He is wearing a white button down shirt and is smiling at the camera.
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Updates from Disability:IN National | |
There's still time to register for the 2025 DEI Index! | |
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The Disability Equality Index covers Culture & Leadership, Enterprise-Wide Access, Employment Practices, Community Engagement, Supplier Diversity and Responsible Procurement (unweighted). Each company participating in the index receives a score, on a scale of zero (0) to 100, with those earning 80 and above recognized as a “Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion.” The Disability Equality Index was created in 2015 in collaboration with AAPD.
The Disability Equality Index remains the premier global benchmark for disability inclusion policies, trusted by over 70% of Fortune 100 companies and nearly half of Fortune 500 companies. The benchmark now spans eight countries, providing comprehensive insights into workplace disability inclusion practices worldwide.
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ID: Graphic reads DEI in bright green text against a dark blue background. Below the banner reads "Best Places to work for disability inclusion" in white text. | |
Planning a disability inclusion event? | |
Expanding your event to include Disability:IN Minnesota members can increase visibility of your company's disability inclusion efforts and offer learning opportunities to members at varying points in their journey. Contact us today to add your disability inclusion event to our calendar! | |
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Disability:IN Minnesota is an employer-led endeavor that promotes best practices that enhance employment and career opportunities for skilled individuals who have a disability.
Our members are committed to disability-inclusive hiring practices and love to share best practices and ideas for recruiting, hiring, on-boarding and supporting candidates and employees with disabilities.
Learn more about our organization and benefits or contact us today.
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ID: Graphic reads "Are you IN?" in dark blue and green text against a white background. | | | | |
