The Workforce and Long-term Implications: Innovative Strategies for People with Disabilities

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Date:

June 22, 2010

Time:

11:00am - 12:30pm

Location:

Online, Web Seminar

11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. EDT

The International Labour Organization estimates there are 610 million individuals with disabilities worldwide and 386 million of working age with approximately 80% living in developing countries. Unemployment is significantly higher among people with disabilities than in the workforce as a whole; unemployment rates range from twice as high to 80% higher than average in some countries. In addition, race, gender, and social background are factors that put people with disabilities at a further disadvantage. As the workforce is shrinking in some areas of the world, hiring and retaining people with disabilities now needs to be framed as an opportunity, rather than a gesture of good will.

Since the American Disabilities Act expanded the definition of disability to include conditions such as diabetes and epilepsy, it is much harder for employers to identify it in their employee population. For this reason, companies cannot simply use the same measuring tools that they would for other diversity hiring programs. The company’s aim has to be broader in its approach with clear business goals in mind.

Join us to continue the conversation originally discussed at the 2010 Diversity Best Practice Global Session in February. Hear representatives from prominent companies discuss what processes and programs work for them when it comes to recruiting and retaining people with disabilities. Presenters will address topics of Corporate Assessment, the ADA and recent legislative changes, not only as it relates to recruiting people with disabilities but supporting them beyond just the ADA and the organizational readiness issues involved to ensure retention.

Here is a glimpse into what each of the presenters will focus on:

As a company driven by innovation, Dow Chemical relies on its "Human Element" to develop solutions to pressing world needs. The diversity of its Human Element is key. Darlene MacKinnon will discuss:

- Building organizational support to drive the inclusion of people with disabilities: Darlene will discuss the creation of Dow's Global Position on People with Disabilities and Dow's Global Accommodations Process.
- Creating global momentum: Examples from the US as well as emerging economies such as Brazil and India will be shared.
- Building effective partnerships: Darlene will provide examples of strategic partnerships Dow has established at the community and regional levels.
- Engaging your Disability Employee Network: An employee network can provide invaluable assistance on all aspects of a disability strategy, from partnering on emergency response plans to on-boarding new hires. Darlene will share examples of how Dow's DEN chapters globally are collaborating with HR to nurture and inclusive workplace.

Debbie Edwards from Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems will present on:

- Employee Resource Groups have become a driver of inclusion and engagement to create cultural change and the numerous contributions that the VOICE ERG has made in a short period of time. Highlights including the launch of a mentoring program.
- Building partnerships with line organizations and across functions is critical to creating awareness and providing education about the importance of providing a work environment that taps into the talents of all employees.
- Preferred employer initiatives foster effective work-life integration for employees who have disabilities and for employees who have family members with disabilities.
- Creating an integrated communications plan ensures that members of the disabilities communities and their accomplishments are showcased in company communications.

Verizon's DIAL has been a recognized 501C3 company since 1998 and has over 200 members. Jeffrey Pledger will touch on these points:

- How DIAL creates winning scenarios for the company and its external customers.
- Assessible and usable training methods for employees with disabilities.
- Assist in developing corporate guidelines and policies governing multimedia and other written documents.
- Opportunities for employees to work within outreach programs and seasons reads campaigns for blind/low vision children via our "adopt a library" campaign.

The seminar will be moderated by Nadine Vogel, President of Springboard Consulting LLC, and will feature presenters from leading companies in disability recruiting and retention.

Our web seminars are easy and incredibly convenient. You just need an Internet connection (dial-up is fine) to view slides and hear audio. This is a streaming event so there will be no dial-in number. The audio will be played from your computer. It all takes place in real time so you can participate in live Q & A with the presenters without leaving your desk or conference room.

Moderator:
Nadine O. Vogel / President / Springboard Consulting LLC

Presenters:
Debbie Edwards / Director of Work-Life Integration / Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems
Darlene MacKinnon / Director, Culture & Employee Engagement / The Dow Chemical Company
Jeffrey Pledger / President, Disabilities Issues Awareness Leaders (DIAL) / Verizon

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For the PowerPoint from this webseminar, click below. You must have your Member ID and Password to access the information.

Presentations: