DISABILITY NEWS YOU NEED TO KNOW
APRIL 2023
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April is Autism Acceptance Month |
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This year 2023, World Autism Awareness Day 2023 theme is “Transforming the narrative: Contributions at home, at work, in the arts and in policymaking” a call to bring up awareness about autism, thus accepting and supporting autistic people in the society and workplace.
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A Proclamation on
World Autism Awareness Day, 2023
There is no one way to be autistic — each individual with autism experiences it differently — but together, autistic people make industries, communities, and our Nation stronger. Today, we celebrate the achievements of neurodiverse people everywhere and champion the equal rights and dignity of all those living on the autism spectrum.
Here in the United States, more than 5.4 million adults are autistic, and 1 in every 44 children has been diagnosed with autism. Yet this developmental disability is still misunderstood. Autistic people continue to face obstacles when seeking employment, health care, education, and housing, and the immense contributions of people with autism are often overlooked. We owe it to our fellow Americans to address the disparities they face and to support autistic people with tools that facilitate clearer communication, increased productivity, and greater independence.
That is why my Administration is funding cutting-edge research to enable earlier autism diagnoses and to develop more resources to help neurodiverse people of all ages thrive. Recognizing that Autism Spectrum Disorder is categorized as a disability, my American Rescue Plan provided $25 billion to States to make it easier for people with disabilities, including autism, to receive care at home. We also rolled out new tools and strategies for partner organizations to connect disabled Americans with stable housing while helping them pay rent, fight eviction, and prevent homelessness.
Last year, I was proud to reauthorize Kevin and Avonte’s Law, which expands training for first responders and others giving care to people with autism. And in my recent State of the Union Address, I called on the Congress to increase its support for community living for people with disabilities.
My Administration is also boosting employment opportunities for autistic and other historically marginalized Americans. I was proud to sign an Executive Order advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in the Federal workforce, which will help create new jobs for Americans with autism and make space for their voices in the policy-making process.
We are helping State and local governments, employers, and nonprofits tap Federal funds to hire more Americans with disabilities like autism through competitive integrated employment practices. We are cracking down on employers who discriminate on the basis of disability, and we are fighting to end the unfair use of sub-minimum wages. I continue to urge States that have not yet expanded Medicaid coverage under the Affordable Care Act to do the right thing and provide health insurance to those currently locked out of Medicaid support that would otherwise be available to them from the Federal Government. Medicaid expansion would help many Americans with disabilities, including those with autism.
To support students with autism, the Department of Education is ensuring that public schools uphold their obligation to provide free and appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment to all students. My Administration has also issued new guidance to help schools avoid the discriminatory use of discipline, which too often impacts autistic students, whose needs and behaviors are commonly misunderstood.
As we build a more inclusive, just, and equal Nation, we aim to lead by the power of our example. I reestablished the role of Special Advisor on International Disability Rights at the Department of State to prioritize disability rights in our policy discussions with foreign nations. The United States Agency for International Development is advancing disability inclusion as part of its democracy, climate, humanitarian, and peace-building activities. And as co-chair of the Global Action on Disability Network and a participant in the Global Disability Summit, the United States continues to promote the equal human rights of people with disabilities worldwide.
America is founded on the idea that all people are created equal and deserve to be treated equally throughout their lives. Today and always, let us strive to live up to this ideal. Let us embrace our diversity; empower each other to reach our full potential; and promote the basic decency, acceptance, and fairness we know is right.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim April 2, 2023, as World Autism Awareness Day. I call upon all Americans to learn more about autism to improve early diagnosis, to learn more about the experiences of autistic people from autistic people, and to build more welcoming and inclusive communities to support people with autism.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirty-first day of March, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-three, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-seventh.
JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.
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What Is Neurodivergence and What Does It Mean to Be Neurodivergent?
Neurodivergence is a difference in how the brain works.
What Is Neurodivergence?
Neurodivergence is the term for when someone's brain processes, learns, and/or behaves differently from what is considered "typical."
Formerly considered a problem or abnormal, scientists now understand that neurodivergence isn’t inherently an issue for the individual and that it has a large societal benefit. Not all presentations of neurodivergence are a disability, like synesthesia, but all are a difference in how the brain works.
With this shift, practitioners are no longer treating neurodivergence as inherently an illness. They are instead viewing them as different methods of learning and processing information, some of which become disabilities in an inaccessible and ableist society.
This article defines neurodiversity and provides examples. It also teaches you how to find out if you're neurodivergent and describes what it's like to be neurodivergent.
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Supporting Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Autism & ADHD
Of the global adult population 10% are dyslexic, 5% are dyspraxic, 4% have ADHD, and 1-2% are Autistic. Neurodifferences are grouped into diagnostic conditions to explain different ways of thinking, learning, processing and behaving.
In this video series psychological consultants at Lexxic explore different neurodiverse conditions. Gain advice to help you empower neurodivergent staff. Hear first-hand from a neurodivergent employee as she shares what’s helped her to feel understood at work.
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DC Metro April Program - Seats Still Available |
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Federal Updates 2023
Hybrid
April 5, 2023
9:00 am to 12:15 pm EST
hosted by
A HYBRID DC Metro annual event featuring ODEP, GSA and EEOC sharing their leadership plans, policies and activities for 2023.
*Once you register, if you prefer to attend virtually,
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Taryn Williams
Assistant Secretary
ODEP
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Jennifer Sheehy
Deputy Assistant Secretary
ODEP
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Lou Orslene
Director
Employer and Workplace Policy Team
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Millisa Gary, GSA AbilityOne Program Executive
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Keith E. Sonderling, Commissioner |
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Did You Miss This Webinar?
Honoring Life & Legacy of Judy Heumann
Celebrating Women's History Month
Personal Stories of Women with Disabilities
Check out the Recorded Session and other here.
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Vanessa Bliss
BroadFutures Intern
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Disability 101 Course
Free Access
Extended through April 30!
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Courtesy of Disability:IN DC Metro,
take advantage of this free access to Disability Inclusion IQ
Disability 101
until April 30, 2023
The course addresses:
- Appropriate language: Terminology, Person-First, Identity-First, Neurodivergent
- Disability etiquette: Appropriate Interactions
- Accessible, short, self-paced, and cloud-based.
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IN THE NEWS - ARTICLES OF INTEREST |
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OFCCP Director Heads to White House
Jenny Yang has been Director of the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs since the beginning of the Biden Administration. Ms. Yang announced this week that she is departing the OFCCP to become Deputy Assistant to the President for Racial Justice and Equity at the White House Domestic Policy Council.
During her tenure at the OFCCP, the agency rescinded religious exemptions and regulatory enforcement schemes codified during the Trump administration. The OFCCP also increased focus on contractors' annual compensation evaluations and proposed significant changes to the Scheduling Letter and Itemized Listing.
Michele Hodge, Deputy Director, will serve as OFCCP Acting Director until a Director is named.
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BIT Collaborations
EdgGuide and SmartFutures
We are a small team of eleven here at BIT, and ten of us are either blind or visually impaired.
With that in mind, we’re well aware of the daily challenges when it comes to maintaining independent lifestyles as BVI individuals. EdgGuide is a great example of how the BIT team uses our own personal experiences to bring technology solutions to market that improve the quality of life for those who are BVI. We’re very excited to be invited to participate in the SmartFutures Technology Incubator program to help bring EdgGuide to market. You can read the full press release here.
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Employer Spotlight
Atlas Performing Arts Center
This month, our employer spotlight is Atlas Performing Arts Center, a non-profit performing arts venue in a historic theater. The Atlas fosters and presents stellar art in film, dance, music, theater, vocal and choral work, spoken word, and beyond. They provide shared space in a creative environment that inspires exceptional performances, events, and initiatives that enlighten, entertain, and reflect the best of the arts and our humanity.
When asked about their partnership with BroadFutures, Director of Operations Jarrod Bennett said that "working with BroadFutures has been an amazing experience. Seeing the growth in Calvin over the last few weeks has been nothing less than exciting. Watching him develop his voice and skills is inspiring. He has truly become a reliable member of the Atlas team."
We look forward to a continued partnership with Atlas Performing Arts Center. Please learn more about their work and visit their website here.
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Annual VEVRAA Hiring Benchmark is 5.4 Percent
The 2023 Annual Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) national hiring benchmark was recently updated on the VEVRAA Hiring Benchmark Database. Effective March 31, 2023, the new benchmark is 5.4%.
Looking for prior national percentages? The VEVRAA Hiring Benchmark Database has a chart of the annual national percentage of veterans in the civilian labor force from prior years along with their effective dates.
State-level veteran availability data has also been updated in the VEVRAA Hiring Benchmark Database for federal contractors and subcontractors who calculate an individualized hiring benchmark using the five-factor method.
Need more information on VEVRAA requirements? Visit our VEVRAA information page, or contact the OFCCP Help Desk at 1-800-397-6251 or online.
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DRIVING CHANGE- CREATING OPPORTUNITY
The Latest News
From ODEP
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EXTENDED! Mental Health Matters: Online Dialogue
Now through April 7, share ideas and vote on ideas submitted by others on topics such as expanding access to workplace supports for those with mental health conditions and reducing related stigmas. Additional discussion topics include reasonable accommodations, telemental health, wellness programs, EAPs, self-disclosure and more. Input gathered will help DOL more effectively support workers’ mental health needs and bolster the behavioral health care workforce.
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Fostering a Mentally Healthy Workplace
ODEP has a one-page guide on “Fostering a Mentally Healthy Workplace.” Read the resource guide to learn more about creating a supportive and inclusive workplace environment. Additional resources are featured on the ODEP Mental Health webpage to ensure that disability-related policies and practices in the workplace consider the needs of people with mental health conditions.
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FMLA: Providing Flexibility for Changing Needs,
Then and Now
In a recently published DOL blog, ODEP Chief of Staff Anupa Iyer Geevarghese reflected on the 30th anniversary of the landmark Family and Medical Leave Act and the important role the law plays in helping workers retain employment after onset of a disability or undergoing treatment for a chronic condition. She also shared insight gleaned from a recent national online dialogue indicating that leave is a key support to help people with Long COVID get needed treatment and rest to manage their symptoms.
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ADA Case Set To Go Before
Supreme Court
by Shaun Heasley | March 29, 2023
The U.S. Supreme Court will weigh in on the rights of people with disabilities to sue under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The high court said this week that it would take up a case known as Acheson Hotels, LLC v. Laufer. At issue is whether individuals with disabilities have standing to sue a business under the ADA if they have no intention of actually visiting the establishment.
The case originated when Deborah Laufer, a Florida resident who has a vision impairment and uses a cane or wheelchair, sued Acheson Hotels alleging that the website of the Coast Village Inn and Cottages in Wells, Maine did not offer adequate information about accommodations for people with disabilities as required under the ADA.
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If the ability to work from home was taken away....
66% of workers would immediately start looking for a job that offered flexibility, and 39% would simply quit.¹
There’s a lot of debate about returning to the office. Companies want people onsite but workers, especially women, would prefer to be remote. In fact, only 1 in 10 women want to work mostly onsite.²
However, a recent study by Gensler found that workers would be happier coming into the office if they had the ideal work experience/environment mix.³ To improve office effectiveness, organizations need to provide spaces that support independent and virtual work, while also continuing to support collaborative opportunities.³
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Want Even More DATA on How and Where Employees
Want to Work?
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Research from Owl Labs found that remote and hybrid employees were 22% happier than onsite workers and stayed in their jobs longer.
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An Ergotron study found that 56% of employees cited mental health improvements, better work/life balance, and more physical activity when working from home.
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Events In The DC Metro Area and Beyond |
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Friday April 7
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. (ET)
The national Trends in Disability Employment (nTIDE) team offers a live broadcast via Zoom Webinar to share numbers and the latest news about disability employment. Join us to hear from our hosts and expert panelists from the field who discuss current topics, findings and events.
- 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 - TBD
- 12:45 pm: Open Question & Answer period for attendees
Note: All webinars will be recorded and closed-captioned and will be added to our website archives along with full transcripts following the live broadcast.
#nTIDElearn | Twitter: @DisabilityStats
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The 2023 Harkin on Wellness Symposium is
less than two weeks away!
Thursday April 13, 2023
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This is a free hybrid event and attendees will have the option to attend in-person or virtually.
The 2023 Harkin on Wellness (HOW) Symposium will address new approaches to improve health and food outcomes and how to make those systems more sustainable. National and local experts will join us to explore how we can reimagine the food system from farm to table and everywhere in between.
Speakers include:
- Walter Willett, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Harvard Medical School
- Stacy Dean, Deputy Under Secretary, USDA
- Jean Bertrand Contina, Rodale Institute
- Chris Jones, University of Iowa
- Erin McDonald, Federal Health and Human Services
- Anne Palmer, Johns Hopkins University Center for a Livable Future
- Kendal Chavez, New Mexico Governor’s Offic
- Kamyar Enshayan, University of Northern Iowa
- Audrey Tran Lam, University of Northern Iowa
Attendees will also hear from many of the 2023 HOW designees, who are being recognized for their commitment to creating initiatives that promote nutrition security at the local level.
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2023 Deaf Entrepreneurship Network Conference
We are excited to host the 4th DEN Conference!
DEN recognizes the enormous need for Deaf and hard-of-hearing entrepreneurs for mentoring and guidance, sharing success stories, and making connections with businesses who are eager to engage with this diverse business community and procure their goods and services.
The conference will provide workshops and opportunities to network and learn from each other. In addition, the conference includes:
Keynote speakers
Happy Hour
Reception Networking
DEN Pitch Contest
Panels
More Networking!
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Campus to Careers: Building a Pipeline Between Graduates with Disabilities and Employers
April 19 Webinar | 1-2 PM ET
Many employers report difficulties in identifying and recruiting recent graduates with disabilities. At the same time, students with disabilities are having a hard time finding job opportunities. Learn how innovative companies like Raytheon are overcoming these issues by building partnerships with campus disability services offices.
Featuring:
- Jim O’Neill, Enterprise University Programs, Project Manager, Raytheon
- Candice Serafino, Director, Student Programs, Career Development & Professional Connections Hub, UMass Amherst,
- Felicia M. Nurmsen, Managing Director, Employer Services, NOD
- Deanna Ferrante, college graduate with disabilities
Audience:
Registration is open to the public, so please share this event with your colleagues from relevant teams, including Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Human Resources, Recruiting, Talent Acquisition, Governance, Compliance, Social Responsibility, Philanthropy, and ERG/BRGs, among others.
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AAPD Leadership Awards Gala
April 20, 2023
6:30-7:30pm
VIRTUAL
Free
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2023 AAPD Bipartisan Leadership Award
AAPD will honor Congresswoman Debbie Dingell with the 2023 AAPD Bipartisan Leadership Award for her work to introduce the Better Care Better Jobs Act. The legislation would expand access to long-term care and ensure people with disabilities receive services in their communities. Congresswoman Dingell also serves as Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Disabilities Caucus.
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2023 INclusive VIRTUAL Career Fair!
Grow Your Disability-INclusive workforce!
Friday, April 28th
2:00 pm to 5:00 pm EST
Who should attend?
Employers committed to and seeking a more diverse and disability
inclusive workforce.
Why attend?
Gain access to qualified and talented college students, recent graduates, veterans and other adult job seekers with disabilities.
Join Us For:
- Career fair networking
- Information sharing of job vacancies and business needs
- 1:1 informational interviews
- Resume review
Our career fair will take place virtually in Zoom. This means you can attend from the comfort of your work or home office! Employer networking and informational sessions with job seekers will be held 1:1 in breakout rooms. If you have multiple people attending from your business, your staff can also volunteer to participate in resume review sessions with job seekers.
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Building a Culture of Accountability
Full Day Conference
In-Person and On-Demand
The Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen | 2880 Mountain Road
Richmond SHRM hosts an annual Diversity & Inclusion Symposium to help companies improve their I.D.E.A. efforts and discuss current critical topics.
Using our 2023 theme, "Building a Culture of Accountability," the speakers will equip you with strategies and tools you need to take DEI to the next level and truly embed these practices in your culture.
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Featured Speaker
From Ableism to Success! How Understanding Ableism and Culture Leads to Inclusion
Our Ability's CEO, John Robinson is dedicated to connecting individuals with disabilities towards education and employment through technology. During this session, John will discuss the importance of understanding disability as a natural part of the human experience and identify practical language that businesses can use in recruiting and organizational communication to work towards disability inclusion. John will address ableism - discrimination or social prejudice against people with disabilities based on the belief that typical abilities are superior - and why it's important for the business community to understand the impact it has on workplace culture.
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Mental Health: When Professional Becomes Personal
May 23 Webinar | 1-2 PM ET
Experts from Mental Health America and NOD explore how dimensions of identity affect an employee’s experience and well-being. Plus, we'll hear from EY's Chief WellBeing Officer on how they built a work environment that allows workers thrive.
Featuring:
- Taylor Adams, Director of Workplace Mental Health, Mental Health America
- Frank Giampietro, Americas Chief Wellbeing Officer, EY
- Felicia M. Nurmsen, Managing Director, Employer Services, NOD
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U.S. Access Board to Hold Town Hall Meeting in Baltimore
July 25, 2023, 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. (ET)
National Headquarters of the
National Federation of the Blind Members Hall
200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD 21230
Please register for in-person attendance by July 1, 2023.
Information for listen-in only virtual attendance will be available soon.
Registration: Provide full name and organization (if any) to
The U.S. Access Board will hold a public town hall meeting on Tuesday, July 25 from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. (ET) at the national headquarters of the National Federation of the Blind in Baltimore, Maryland. Presidentially appointed Access Board members and representatives from other federal member agencies will be present to hear from the local community about the state of accessibility in Baltimore and the D.C.-Maryland-Virginia area. Following the town hall meeting, there will be a reception and networking opportunity from 3:30 – 4:30 (ET), sponsored by the Maryland Department of Disabilities.
The town hall meeting and reception are open to all members of the public.
The Access Board invites in-person oral comments on accessibility. Registrants who wish to make in-person oral comments must indicate their request to speak when emailing events@access-board.gov. Public commenters will be allotted two minutes to make their comments.
The town hall meeting will be available via online streaming; however, individuals attending virtually will not be able to make comments.
American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters and Communication Access Real-time Transcription (CART) services will be provided. The Access Board has a fragrance-free environment policy and requests that all attendees refrain from wearing perfume, cologne, and other fragrances and use unscented personal care products. Requests for other reasonable accommodations must be submitted by July 1, 2023 to Rose Marie Bunales at events@access-board.gov.
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DON'T MISS THESE
NATIONAL CONFERENCES
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April 19, 2023 – April 21, 2023
Hyatt Regency Crystal City at Reagan National Airport
2799 Richmond Highway
Arlington, VA 22202
AFB is excited to announce the registration for the 2023 American Foundation for the Blind Leader Conference (AFBLC) is now open!
The AFBLC is an annual two-day leadership conference, designed to cover the most pressing and relevant topics in the field of blindness. It offers many opportunities to learn from the best and brightest minds in our field, make new connections, and reunite with old friends. The 2023 AFBLC will focus on Empowering Digital Inclusion.
AFBLC brings together blind and low-vision leaders by creating a space that provides an opportunity to expand their knowledge of best practices, refine leadership skills, identify inclusion practices that work, and share concerns and strategies. During this conference, you’ll be empowered with resources and action-driven knowledge to help you increase your leadership capacity. At the end of this conference, you will walk away with new innovative ideas to create more inclusivity for people who are blind and have low vision.
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Join us at SHRM23
Join us at SHRM23 for the largest gathering of HR professionals on Earth in one of the most vibrant cities in America: Las Vegas, NV. The event will include four days of peer-to-peer networking, inspiring addresses from top business and HR leaders, competency-based HR seminars, hands-on workshops, plus curated content focused on some of the most pressing issues facing HR: DE&I, workplace culture, talent acquisition, and retention, and more.
If you have additional accommodation requests or have any questions, please reach out to us using this accommodation form. Please allow for an appropriate lead time for any accommodation request. You will receive a response within 1 business day acknowledging receipt.
For the SHRM Annual Conference & Expo 2023 at the special group rates, available here on an exclusive basis. Additionally, all requests related to hotel accommodations should be directed to the hotel venue. If you have additional questions about hotel accommodations, please reach out to shrm@mcievents.com.
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Join Us in Orlando!
Regular Pricing Ends June 2, 2023
Late Registration Ends June 30, 2023
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The Place to be for Affirmative Action, Equal Employment Opportunity and Diversity / Inclusion fields
August 1 - 4, 2023 Phoenix, Arizona
We are looking for speakers and participants to come and help us TRANSFORM FOR TOMORROW.
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Welcome our New Board Member
Rahsaan Coefield
Lockheed Martin Corporation
Executive Director of Investigations
Rahsaan Jamaal Coefield, Esq. is a native of Lakewood, New Jersey and earned his B.S. in Legal Studies with a concentration in Legal Research and Writing from St. John’s University in Queens, New York. He is an alumnus of Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University in Houston, Texas. He participated in the prestigious Texas Legislative Internship Program (TLIP) and completed an externship in Austin, Texas as staff to Rep. Abel Herrero
(D-Robstown) during Texas’ 81st Legislative Session. Rahsaan also attended Southern University Law Center at City University in London, England where he completed studies in international criminal law and international comparative law. After law school, Rahsaan was appointed Law Clerk to the Honorable Wendel E. Daniels, Presiding Judge – New Jersey Superior Court.
In 2011, Rahsaan was appointed Equal Opportunity Manager and Labor Relations Advisor with the District of Columbia Government, Department of Employment Services (DOES) where he was responsible for agency compliance with all Federal and District antidiscrimination laws, equal employment opportunity, employee relations, internal affairs/misconduct investigations, and diversity and inclusion initiatives for the District’s counterpart to the United States Department of Labor. As Labor Relations Advisor, Rahsaan oversaw all matters concerning grievances, bargaining, arbitration and working conditions of unionized employees within DOES.
In 2013, Rahsaan was appointed Director of Investigations at the District of Columbia Office of Human Rights (OHR) where he was responsible for overall management of the agency’s investigative caseload and staff to resolve thousands of formal and informal complaints of discrimination alleging violations of the District of Columbia Human Rights Act, other District laws, and comparable Federal laws, in employment, housing, public accommodation, educational institutions, and language access. Rahsaan successfully streamlined agency processes to ensure a six-month investigative time frame, cleared the agency’s backlog for the first time in its history, coordinated a memorandum of understanding related to citizenship and national origin discrimination with the United States Department of Justice, instituted a robust and competitive law clerk program for District law students, and seamlessly integrated the investigation and enforcement of the District’s Fair Criminal Records Screening Amendment Act (“Ban the Box”), the Protecting Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, and the District’s Gender Neutral Bathroom regulations into OHR’s complement of services. Rahsaan personally investigated the DC Taxicab Commission’s handling of complaints of race and disability discrimination and caused significant and permanent changes in the city’s commitment to civil rights within the District’s transportation industry. In early 2015, Rahsaan was promoted to OHR Deputy Director and continued to lead the investigations unit during a period of unprecedented growth in enforcement obligation and staffing while also providing direct oversight for large scale programmatic, operational, and budgetary needs for the District’s only civil rights enforcement agency. Additionally, Rahsaan served as OHR’s interim General Counsel and oversaw the agency’s legal unit, served as legal authority for the office, and ensured continuity of operations for a period of six months. Rahsaan’s leadership at OHR caused the resolution of over 1600 charges of discrimination and $9.4m in relief to charging parties.
In August 2016, Rahsaan joined the Global Diversity and Inclusion organization at Lockheed Martin Corporation where he oversees equal employment opportunity (EEO) investigations. Rahsaan is responsible for Lockheed Martin’s commitment to intentional diversity and inclusion by leading the team that conducts EEO investigations across the enterprise of the United States’ largest aerospace and defense contractor. In May 2019, Rahsaan was promoted to Director and became one of the few Black millennials in the executive ranks of a Fortune 50 company. From December 2019 to May 2020, Rahsaan served as acting Director of Global Diversity and Inclusion for Lockheed Martin’s Rotary and Mission Systems business area. In this role, Rahsaan lead full-scale diversity, inclusion, and equity and compliance work for a $17B company with 34,000 employees worldwide. In 2021, Rahsaan led the global implementation of Lockheed Martin’s cutting edge Upstander Campaign and bystander intervention training, a diversity and allyship program designed to educate individuals on how to intervene when witnessing the harassment of others within the workplace.
Rahsaan is a graduate of the Patricia Harris National Fair Housing Training Academy and served as Commissioner Ex-Officio on the Mayor’s Commission on African American Affairs in Washington, DC. Rahsaan is an INROADS alum and serves on the National Board of Directors of INROADS, and the board of DC DisabilityIN. Rahsaan was initiated into the Theta Epsilon chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and is a Life Member. He is the member of the NAACP, SHRM, the New Jersey Bar, DEI Board, St. John’s University Equity and Inclusion Council, the Association of Workplace Investigators, and an Ambassador for the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Rahsaan serves as mentor to law students and young professionals in the legal field and as a featured speaker and panelist at compliance, human resources, and diversity and inclusion events. His first published article, “The Forgotten Foundation” was featured in the Executive Leadership Council’s Fall 2021 research journal.
Rahsaan received Lockheed Martin’s 2019 HR Excellence Award for implementing the EEO Investigations Dashboard (iD), a tool used to manage and report EEO activity and drive diversity and inclusion initiatives based upon investigative data. Rahsaan is also a recipient of the “Human Rights Champion” award from the DC Office of Human Rights and the “Trendsetter” award from INROADS. For his work in the Texas Legislature, Rahsaan was honored with H.R. 1643 commending his service to the state. Rahsaan resides with his spouse, Kameron, in Prince Georges County, Maryland.
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2023 Disability:IN DC Metro Programs
Theme: Intersectionality
Join us as we hold Hybrid and Virtual Events!
- April Autism Acceptance Month
- May Global Accessibility Awareness
- May Mental Health Awareness Month
- Intersectionality: May Asian American and Pacific Islander Month
- Intersectionality: June LGBTQ Pride Month
- Intersectionality: July Disability Pride Month, ADA Anniversary
- Intersectionality: August Supplier Diversity including Disability Owned Businesses
- Intersectionality: September LatinX Heritage Month and Disability
- Celebrating National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM)
- November Celebrating Veterans with Disabilities in the Workplace and as Entrepreneurs
- Intersectionality: November Native American Heritage Month and Disability
- Celebrating International Day of Persons with Disabilities
- The Growing Role of the Chief Accessibility Officer
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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
- Professional Development courses
- 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:
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Jennifer Bassett, Chair, JBG SMITH Companies
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Meghan Cadigan, Secretary, KPMG,
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Tashi Carper, Leido
- Rahsaan Coefield, Lockheed Martin
- Ellen de Bremond, Treasurer
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Anjali Desai-Margolin, Gallaudet University
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Tom Downs, Booz Allen Hamilton
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Andrea Hall, Past Chair, General Dynamics Mission Systems
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Sophie Howard, Immediate Past Chair, General Dynamics IT
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Eduardo Meza-Etienne, eSSENTIAL Accessibility
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Mary Sauder, Northrop Grumman
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Ryan Walters, Vice-Chair, Deloitte
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Myra Wilder, BAE Systems
Advisory Board Members:
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Jessica Lee Aiello, iYellow Group
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Michelle Crabtree, Town of Vienna
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Crosby Cromwell, The Valuable 500
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Lori Daly, Diversifi Consulting Group and Chair, Community Outreach
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Ron Drach, Drach Consulting, LLC
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Diane Monnig, The Arc of Northern VA
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Melody Goodspeed, The American Foundation for the Blind
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Karen Herson, Concepts, Inc.
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Carolyn Jeppsen, BroadFutures
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Craig Leen, K&L Gates, Former OFCCP Director
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Carrie Martin, MAXAR Technologies
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Rick Rodgers,The Resource Network and Chair, Disability Supplier Diversity
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Kia SIlver-Hodge, Enterprise Community Partners
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. 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 Professional Development Courses designed for enterprise wide learning, now a DC Metro chapter member benefit!
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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 for 2023
Please Donate!
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!
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