Great ideas do not originate with a specific race, gender, color, creed, sexual orientation or physical ability. They can come from anyone. Thus, to get the best ideas, organizations must hire a diverse mix of employees. This mixture must include people with disabilities if an organization wants to maximize all of the resources available to [...]
On October 22nd over 100 “witches” gathered and collected food for the Community Food bank for the Manchester and the Mountains Chamber of Commerce. The Witches of Northshire included three from the Southshire (Bennington) VABIR and VR office. Janet Cunningham Employment Consultant with VABIR, Sue McInstosh and Kathy Velon, of VR.
People with disabilities face lack of access to facilities, services
By Sue McGreevey
Masschusetts General Hospital Public Affairs
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Two decades after the Americans with Disabilities Act went into effect, people with disabilities continue to face difficulties meeting major social needs, including obtaining appropriate access to health care facilities and services.
In an article in the October [...]
NATIONAL DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS MONTH, 2011
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
Utilizing the talents of all Americans is essential for our Nation to out-innovate, out-educate, and out-build the rest of the world. During National Disability Employment Awareness Month, we recognize the skills that people with disabilities bring to our workforce, and we rededicate ourselves to improving employment opportunities in both the public and private sectors for those living with disabilities.
More than 20 years after the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act, individuals with disabilities, including injured veterans, are making immeasurable contributions to workplaces across our country. Unfortunately, the unemployment rate for people with disabilities remains too high — nearly double the rate of people without disabilities — and reversing this trend is crucial.
This webinar by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Training Institute will be held on September 14, 2011 at 1 – 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time. It will cover the basic requirements of reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), address issues that come up when reasonable accommodation is requested, and offer advice [...]
“Profit by Investing in Workers with Disabilities”
The 2011 theme emphasizes the rich diversity and talent that workers with disabilities bring to the workplace.
The theme serves to inform the public that workers with disabilities contribute to the output of any organization. According to Kathy Martinez, assistant secretary of labor for disability employment policy, “Return on investment [...]
Have you ever had a certain impression about what a certain field of work was like, only to have that impression change significantly once you worked in that field or explored it more closely?
The following are methods for helping people with disabilities (or any job seeker) determine what direction to go with their job search.
The Austin Harmony Project provides special needs citizens the opportunity to be involved in the arts. Harmony utilizes the arts as a natural means to positively stimulate and celebrate life, while giving each participant a deserved sense of well-being.
USBLN® “I Am, I Can, I Do” National Public Education Campaign:
WASHINGTON, DC (December 15, 2011) – The US Business Leadership Network (USBLN®) is proud to launch their national public education campaign titled, “I Am, I Can, I Do.” The campaign includes a series of 30 and 60 second Public Service Announcements (PSAs) showcasing people with disabilities who ‘Do!’
AMC Entertainment Inc., a USBLN® member company, debuted the first in this PSA series in their theatres nationwide at the end of September 2011. The showings continued through October in celebration of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). The USBLN® PSA was aired in 5,000 movie theaters nationwide reaching over 20 million viewers.
The campaign’s inclusion of many vibrant young people with disabilities conveys the value that people with disabilities bring to the workplace, marketplace and supply chain plus sends a message to youth with disabilities to aspire to their ‘dream’ careers.Following the AMC sponsored showing during October and unveiling at our 2011 USBLN® Annual Conference, the campaign will continue throughout 2012, culminating with a special event to be held during the 2012 USBLN® Annual Conference on October 1-4 in Orlando, Florida.The first PSA in the series features Steve Derelian, an USC Business Graduate, Attorney and surfer; Lexi Marman a Special Education teacher, Jazz dancer and Former Miss Deaf California; and Dominque Beltran, a Film Maker and a member of Actors for Autism with the exciting conclusion that “inclusion works.” To watch the 30-second PSA, click the following direct links or visit www.usbln.org:
30-second PSA with modern captioning – http://youtu.be/nEKWhR1mf8k
30-second PSA traditional captioning on bottom – http://youtu.be/4bTFVb-twrk
Viewers are invited to share the above PSAs with their organizations, Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and social networks.
About the US Business Leadership Network (USBLN®) The US Business Leadership Network (USBLN®) is the national disability organization that serves as the collective voice of over 60 Business Leadership Network affiliates across North America, representing over 5,000 employers. The USBLN® promotes the business imperative of the preparation and inclusion of people with disabilities in the workplace, marketplace, and supply chain while supporting the development and expansion of its BLN affiliates. The USBLN® recognizes and supports best practices in hiring and advancing employees with disabilities, marketing to consumers with disabilities, and encourages contracting with vendors with disabilities through the development and certification of disability-owned businesses. www.usbln.org
