Nov 2023-Jan 2024

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I am pleased to announce that Meaghan Walls has been selected as the Center for Disability Inclusion’s next Chief Executive Officer and will start in this new role on December 23, 2023. 

Darla Wilkerson is retiring in December after serving CDI

for nine years including five years in the CEO role. Darla

made a significant impact in helping develop CDI’s

vision, direction and overall success of the organization.

In the remaining weeks of 2023, she will work with Meaghan and the CDI team to ensure a smooth and successful leadership transition. Darla’s leadership and contributions to CDI are countless and she will be missed.  

Meaghan joined CDI two years ago as the Director of Business Relations in our Nebraska market. The CDI Board of Directors are excited about the skills and experiences she will bring to the CEO role. Meaghan has over 17 years of professional experience with disability services, accessibility and disability inclusion. She is an alumni of Saint Mary’s College-Notre Dame and earned her Masters of Science from University of Illinois-Chicago (UIC) in Bioengineering with an emphasis on rehabilitation and assistive technology. 

Please join me in welcoming Meaghan Walls as our next Chief Executive Officer.

Kathy Cooper, CDI Board President

Image of event flyer for 2023 Annual Awards Event for Seal of Accomplishment on December 1.

Learn more at https://www.centerfordisabilityinclusion.org/annual-awards-event.html

Register by November 21 for our Annual Awards Event with keynote presentation "The Power of Allyship: Building Stronger, Inclusive Communities" and recognition of 2023 Seal of Accomplishment Leader in Disability Inclusion Award recipients. Attendees with Partner companies receive free registration(s) and guests are welcome. Register HERE. To learn about including the Leader in Disability Inclusion Process in your 2024 efforts, Contact Us.

Webinar - November 16 at 11:00 CST: "Leveraging Intersectionality of Veterans with Disabilities in the Workplace"

Moderated panel discussion will explore utilizing SkillBridge to leverage talent and intersectionality of veterans with disabilities

in the workplace. Info and Register

The past two months, CDI has had significant impact with the 2023 Inclusion Summit in September and National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) in October.

2023 Inclusion Summit Recap

• 296 - Attendees
• ​142 - Companies
• 24 - States
• 19 - Sponsors
• 11 - Speakers
• 2 - Countries
• 1 - Amazing DEIA Conference

Planning has already started for the 2024 Inclusion Summit. More info coming soon!

2023 NDEAM Recap

• 16 separate trainings completed by CDI team to elevate awareness of disability inclusion in the workplace.
• "Workplace Practices" - 9
• "Disability Awareness" - 2
• "Disability Awareness for Persons with Disabilities" - 1
• "Disability Awareness for College Students" - 1
• "Neurodiversity in the Workplace" - 1
• "Reducing Stigma of Mental Illness" - 1
• "Event Accessibility" - 1

As we continue serving business partners in all aspects of their disability inclusion efforts,

we are close to launching a new online job board that will simplify how businesses and candidates with disabilities connect. Available to CDI Partners at Silver and above, for enterprise-wide use at no additional cost.

Not a Partner? Check out your OPTIONS and contact us for an exploratory conversation.

Disability-Related Events to acknowledge and celebrate in your organization. Check out our extensive library of Resources when you need answers quickly.

• Nov - Natl Diabetes Awareness Month, Epilepsy Awareness Month
• Dec - International Day of Persons with Disabilities on Dec 3
• Jan - National Glaucoma Awareness Month

CDI offers a variety of services to help organizations advance their efforts.

We hope you'll consider CDI in your 2024 budget and planning:

• Virtual and onsite Training on a variety of topics
• Fee-based Consultation around specific efforts/initiatives
• Tiered Partnership options for business and community agencies