August 9, 2018
In this Issue: ILG National Conference, Educating Entrepreneurs and More
WHAT'S NEW
Liaising with Employers
Last week, EARN was in Anaheim, CA for the 2018 Industry Liaison Group National Conference, where its staff had the opportunity to engage with federal contractors seeking to increase disability inclusion at their companies. At EARN’s exhibit booth, attendees could learn about EARN’s trainings, the Inclusion@Work policy framework and local recruitment sources. At the conference, Michael Murray, director of the Office of Disability Employment Policy’s Employer Policy Team, also presented on disability inclusion best practices. Learn about federal contractor responsibilities or access Inclusion@Work.
Talking Inclusion with Entrepreneurs
Earlier this year, EARN joined forces with Entrepreneurs’ Organization – Washington DC chapter and the DC Metro Business Leadership Network to host entrepreneurs from around the National Capital Region for a discussion about the value of a workforce inclusive of people with disabilities and resources to help small businesses welcome their skills and talents. To help spread the message among members in all of its chapters, the Entrepreneurs’ Organization recently published a blog post recapping the event and the strategies shared. Read the Entrepreneurs’ Organization blog post.
Celebrating 28 Years of the ADA
Late last month, people across the nation marked the 28th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in a variety of ways, including formal statements from business and community leaders. Among these voices was Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor for Disability Employment Policy Jennifer Sheehy, who penned a blog post about the ADA’s role in helping the U.S. Department of Labor deliver on its commitment to “ensuring all Americans can access good, family-sustaining jobs” and how it meets “the needs of workers with disabilities, and the job creators who hire them.” Read Sheehy’s blog post.
New Workplace Education Videos
The South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation recently released three videos that employers can use to educate about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The first provides an overview of the ADA and disability etiquette and may be beneficial to use as part of new employee orientation. The second addresses pre-employment matters, such as application and interview processes, and the third focuses on considerations once someone is on the job, including accommodations and advancement; both of these may be beneficial for use with supervisors and hiring managers. Access the videos.
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ASKEARN.ORG SPOTLIGHT
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA)
This page of the AskEARN.org website is devoted to the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which was signed into law 28 years ago last month. Features include an overview of the ADA and the ADA Amendments Act; tips for discussing disability with job applicants and current employees; and links to additional ADA tools and resources. It is just one of several AskEARN.org pages on disability nondiscrimination laws and regulations.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
September 20, 2018, 2:00 p.m. ET
Webinar: Online Video Accessibility
For online videos to be fully accessible, their audio and visual content must be accessible to people who are deaf or hard of hearing and/or blind or have low vision. This webinar from the ADA National Network will explore online video accessibility concerns and their solutions and share tools, services and strategies for addressing online video accessibility needs, especially in large organizations. Register for the webinar.
October 1, 2018
Deadline: Henry Viscardi Achievement Awards
The Viscardi Center is currently accepting nominations for the 2018 Henry Viscardi Achievement Awards. Named for the Center’s founder and a premier disability advocate, Dr. Henry Viscardi, Jr., these awards honor leaders who carry on his legacy by improving quality of life for people with disabilities, including through employment. Learn more about the awards.
October 2018
Event: National Disability Employment Awareness Month
Observed each October, National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) celebrates the contributions of workers with disabilities and educates the public about the value of a workforce inclusive of their skills and talents. This year’s NDEAM theme is “America’s Workforce: Empowering All,” and all employers are encouraged to take part. Access NDEAM resources.
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EMPLOYER SPOTLIGHT
Wells Fargo
To support its commitment to a diverse and inclusive workforce, Wells Fargo established a Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) Champions Recognition Program 10 years ago. This annual program provides a forum for recognizing six individuals and six groups, chosen from as many as 250 nominations, who advance D&I at the company. Eligibility criteria correspond to Wells Fargo’s three D&I “pillars”: team members, marketplace and advocacy.
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The Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability Inclusion (EARN) is a resource for employers seeking to recruit, hire, retain and advance qualified employees with disabilities. It is funded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy under a cooperative agreement with The Viscardi Center. For more information, visit AskEARN.org
Preparation of this material was funded by the Office of Disability Employment Policy, U.S. Department of Labor, Grant No. [OD-26451-14-75-4-36]. This document does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Office of Disability Employment Policy, U.S. Department of Labor, nor does the mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.