EARN in Action

Disability-Inclusive Workplace Culture: Building it to Last

In honor of National Disability Employment Awareness Month in October, EARN hosted a webinar exploring how leading companies build and sustain disability-inclusive cultures. It also highlighted the important role workplace inclusivity plays in the nation’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Guest speakers included Jim Sinocchi, Managing Director, Global Office of Disability Inclusion at JPMorgan Chase & Co., and Vani Seshadri, Vice President, Global Inclusion and Diversity at Accenture. This webinar is now archived, along with an accompanying learning guide. 

New Employer Case Study: Microsoft

A new employer case study on the EARN website explores how technology giant Microsoft navigated the widespread shift to remote work due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The case study includes information on how the company managed and responded to accommodation requests from employees with disabilities, and adjusted policies and procedures to ensure inclusion in a virtual environment. It also addresses benefits of a fully remote or hybrid workplace that the company plans to leverage moving forward, among them an increased pool of potential candidates. 

New Employer Case Study: JPMC

EARN’s new employer case study on JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPMC) outlines how the financial institution has long been a leader in disability inclusion through strategic hiring initiatives, among them its Business Solutions Team (BeST). Launched in 2019, BeST uses a paid apprenticeship model to hire and train people with intellectual and developmental disabilities for defined roles that are integrated into business practices and align with the employees’ talents, aspirations and interests. To source candidates, JPMC works with community partners. 

Advancing Federal Disability Inclusion

A recent U.S. Department of Labor blog post shared how the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) has worked to advance federal disability employment for 20 years, with recent efforts focused on responding to President Biden’s Executive Order (EO) 14035, “Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility in the Federal Workforce.” Key to these efforts is the Federal Exchange on Employment and Disability (FEED), which ODEP manages in partnership with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and Office of Personnel Management, with support from EARN. 

Disability Employment in the News

Included: The Disability Equity Podcast

A recent episode of “Included: The Disability Equity Podcast” featured Taryn Williams, Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP). During the podcast, Williams spoke to hosts Drs. Bonnielin Swenor and Nicholas Reed from Johns Hopkins University’s Disability Health Research Center about ODEP’s current work, including Long COVID, accessible telework and competitive integrated employment. 

International Day of People with Disabilities

December 3 marked the International Day of People with Disabilities (IDPWD). This year’s theme, “Fighting for Rights in the Post-COVID Era,” recognized that people with disabilities are among the populations most affected by COVID-19. It also highlighted opportunities to increase disability equity and inclusion in the post-pandemic world, including in the workplace. Held annually, IDPWD is spearheaded by the United Nations and includes a range of events and observances across the globe. 

NOD’s Disability Employment Tracker

Companies wishing to enroll to participate in the 2022 Disability Employment Tracker™ assessment can now request to do so. Sponsored by the National Organization on Disability (NOD), this tool provides companies a confidential assessment of their disability inclusion policies and practices. Completion is required to qualify for the 2022 NOD Leading Disability Employer Seal and the 2022 DiversityInc Top 50 Companies for Diversity. 

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Employer Spotlight 

PepsiCo's "You Belong Here" Campaign

Through its "You Belong Here” campaign, PepsiCo communicates internally about its commitment to an equitable and inclusive workplace culture. The campaign also highlights effective strategies to support employees with disabilities, or those with family members with disabilities. As part of the campaign, the company created a series of videos in which employees with disabilities share their personal stories.