Imagine you and your family are headed to the movies to check out the latest release. You park, and head to the elevator that will take you to the lobby, and subsequently the second floor where the movie will be shown, only to find the elevator is out of order. The mom of the family is a wheelchair user and has no other options to get into the theatre. They call the theatre to speak to the manager and ask for assistance. He simply apologizes, “it is the only elevator, and it won’t be fixed until next week, sorry.” So, what happens next?  Well, what usually happens for people with disa ..read more

Words matter. Think they don’t? Just consider the hundreds of millions of dollars spent by major corporations to name new products and create ad campaigns for a new car, computer, cruise ship, makeup line, clothing, and even toothpaste to generate excitement and enthusiasm for the latest product. Why? Because the right words matter. This is not only true for big companies, but it is true in all aspects of our lives, what you say matters, and how you say it matters. Disability is an area fraught with words that can diminish or demean. And well-intentioned people often create variances to try t ..read more

A few weeks ago, we shared the unfortunate story of a smart, vibrant, and passionate Administrator, Antoinette “Bonnie” Candia-Bailey at Lincoln University who had reported abuse from her direct supervisor, the university president. She had depression and anxiety, and she was struggling. Unfortunately, her reports of abuse went unaddressed, and she died by suicide. Now the university is conducting an investigation, and the president of the college is on paid leave.  You can read the full story here. ,https://bit.ly/3HiBXHz This tragic story made me want to know more about workplace bully ..read more

The start of the new year is a time for reflection, renewal, and yes, new goals. Whether you are into making resolutions or just setting goals, it's a great time to think about your commitment to disability inclusion and how to make our workplaces more accessible and inclusive for applicants, candidates, and employees with disabilities. Here are some tips on how to kick off the new year with disability inclusion top of mind: Set clear and measurable goals. One of the first steps to promote disability inclusion is to define your goals and determine how you will measure and track your pro ..read more

As the calendar turns to December, all eyes are looking ahead to the new year. While we can’t know for certain what is ahead, and the last few years have definitely taught us the unexpected can change just about everything. But we have been seeing some trends in our work that we know will be taking us into 2024. Here are some of the key trends and challenges that will shape the future of work for people with disabilities in the new year. ,Trend 1: Remote/Hybrid Work: Increased Flexibility Remote and Hybrid work is here to stay. It seemed every week there was a new article about the debate ove ..read more

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) initiatives in the workplace get a lot of attention every October, as National Disability Employment Awareness Month (,NDEAM) is observed, and companies post their support of the concept. But this year at ,NSITE, an organization that provides a continuum of employment services that connect employers with talented, dedicated people who are blind, visually impaired, and/or a veterans to meet their workforce needs. We decided to do something different, and instead of turning to business leaders to learn about their initiatives, we opted to go ..read more

In 1945, Congress recognized the employment needs and contributions of individuals with disabilities by declaring the first week of October as National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week. In 1962, the word “physically” was removed to include non-physical disabilities, and in 1988, the week was expanded to a month and renamed National Disability Employment Awareness Month. 78 years later, we are still fighting for the same awareness and inclusivity that inspired that initial declaration. Despite the progress made since 1945, many of the issues faced by individuals with disabilities in the ..read more

In the ever-evolving landscape of workplace diversity and inclusion, it has become increasingly evident that creating an environment of psychological safety benefits all employees. Psychologically safe employers foster atmospheres where every individual, especially those who identify as belonging to one or more underrepresented communities, feels comfortable, valued, and able to voice their thoughts and concerns without fear of reprisal or judgment. Disabled employees can thrive in psychologically safe environments because they can express their unique skills, perspectives, talents, and lived ..read more

BARRIERS HINDER EMPLOYEMENT OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES As a writer/planner/educator/activist focused on the intersection of urban design and universal design, I often get into heated debates with architects, engineers and planners that create designs that segregate people with disabilities. I cannot stand it when a brand-new building, built decades after the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) became law, has poor design that places a series of steps in the front, then hides the wheelchair access ramp in back of the building. The Florida Department of Health Miami-Dade County main office d ..read more

The start of a new school year can be both exciting and stressful for any student. But for students with disabilities, the transition can be especially challenging. Whether you are returning to in-person classes, continuing with online learning, home schooled, or opting for a hybrid model, there are some steps you can take to make the most of your educational experience. Here are some tips on how to prepare for a successful back to school season for students with disabilities. Know your rights and responsibilities. As a student with disabilities (or a parent), you have the right to receive a ..read more