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As the holiday season approaches, we feel immense gratitude for the ongoing support and participation of our partners throughout this year. In particular, we are grateful for our Disability:IN Chicagoland Board members who continue to share their time and expertise in prioritizing disability inclusion. Together, we are integrating disability into the workplace, marketplace and supply chain. Our newsletter this month includes information on opportunities to support disability inclusion like: registration details for a December celebration of International Day of Persons with Disabilities; a recap of October's Disability Inclusion Opportunity Summit; information about the launch of Disability:IN Chicagoland's new website; and a list of upcoming partner events. We look forward to opportunities for ongoing partnership and collaboration this year as we continue together on this journey toward inclusion.

Happy Thanksgiving! Laura Wilhelm, Executive Director, Disability:IN Chicagoland

Photo of the event program for the 2025 Disability Inclusion Opportunity Summit standing on a counter with the McDonalds conference space behind it

Recap: 2025 Disability Inclusion Opportunity Summit

In recognition of Disability Employment Awareness Month (DEAM), Disability:IN Chicagoland hosted its annual 2025 Disability Inclusion Opportunity Summit on Thursday, October 30th at McDonald's Corporation. The Summit brought together more than 150 participants for a full day of networking and information sharing on corporate disability inclusion. Practical information was shared through plenary and breakout sessions focused on topics like: navigating the current regulatory environment; supporting disability Employee/Business Resource Groups (E/BRGs); leading in uncertain times; discovering your personal purpose; accessibility in marketing & communications; disability self-id campaigns; and digital accessibility. Check out the event photos online here. A heartfelt thank you to all of our speakers, volunteers, exhibitors and participants. Thank you also this this year's sponsors:

On Wednesday, December 3rd, Disability:IN Minnesota hosts a celebration of International Day of Persons with Disabilities - From Island to Impact: Survivors' Perspectives on Disability Inclusion. The celebratory event brings together former contestants, Eva Erickson and Mitch Guerra, from the hit TV show Survivor who are also disability advocates, sharing their personal journeys of resilience, representation, and inclusion. From Island to Impact explores how surviving on the island was just the beginning—these individuals continue to overcome challenges and break barriers in their everyday lives. Registration is free online here.

Screenshot of the DisabilityIN Chicagoland website homepage with navigation bar at the top DisabilityIN Chicagoland log and image of a woman and man with disabilities meeting at a table in an office with text reading Advancing disability inclusion in business

Disability:IN Chicagoland Launches New Website

This fall, Disability:IN Chicagoland launched - www.disabilityinchicagoland.org - a new website that reflects the organization's focus on supporting disability inclusion within its Chicago business network. The website includes corporate disability inclusion resources and information about Chicago area events. Details on partnership opportunities and our current business network are also available. Check it out and learn more about opportunities to engage with other Chicago businesses prioritizing inclusion.

Interested In Partnership?

Disability:IN Chicagoland is a business-to-business network supporting disability inclusion. Chicagoland corporate partners connect with resources, engage in monthly programs, and network to increase inclusion across their organizations. For information contact Ann Kisting, Director of Partnerships, at ann@disabilityinchicagoland.org.

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Upcoming Events:

Disability:IN Minnesota hosts its 2025 International Day of Persons with Disabilities Celebration: From Island to Impact on December 3rd, details and registration available online here.
Great Lakes ADA Center hosts Common Mistakes: Easily Missed or Misunderstood Accessible Design Requirements on December 4th at 1:30 Central. Register online here.
ADA National Network hosts Is an Accommodation Forever? on December 10th at 12:00 Central. Register online here.

Disability:IN Chicagoland Partners

Disability:IN Chicagoland | www.di-chi.org