Driving Innovation through Disability Inclusion

Commitment in uncertain times.

Disability Inclusion is business-critical for employee engagement, innovation, a positive culture, and organizational success.

Celebrating the 35th ADA Anniversary

Disability:IN DC Metro CEO and Board, Disability Inclusion Leaders, ODEP Leaders and Forbes Accessibility Leaders celebrating the 35th ADA Anniversary at K&L Gates, hosted by DC Metro Board Member Craig Leen.

National Disability Employment Awareness Month

In October 2025, we celebrate the 80th anniversary of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), an annual recognition of the positive impact of people with disabilities in the American workforce. This yearly event began in 1945 as a weeklong national observance of the contributions of people with physical disabilities. In 1988, Congress designated the commemoration as NDEAM, which then evolved to acknowledge the importance of increasing opportunities for people with disabilities, including those with mental health conditions and other nonobvious disabilities, in the workforce. In 2001, ODEP was created and entrusted to administer NDEAM, including the selection and promotion of its annual theme.

Leading up to the celebration of America’s 250th anniversary in 2026, this year’s NDEAM theme and graphics will also will honor the national milestone. NDEAM 2025 will recognize the value and talent American workers with disabilities add to our workplaces and economy and highlight their achievements both past and present. That’s the spirit behind this year’s official theme: “Celebrating Value and Talent.” 

Visit ODEP For more information and to request materials

Events in the September Newsletter

Sept 18- -Igniting Growth: Reimagining Supplier Inclusion Virtual

Sept 30 -Technology and the Disability Experience NOD, NYC

October 6-8 M-Enabling Summit- Attend as a Sponsor!

October 16-19 - Gallaudet Deaf Way Film Festival

October 16 - NTID Career Fair

November 6 - One Year In: The Impact of the Current Administration on Disability Policy

November 12-14 - 2025 AFB Leadership Conference

November 22 - BroadFutures’ Gala: A Renewed Vision. A Bold New Future

News of Interest

Bill Curtis-Davidson Selected as Executive Director of CIDI

Wrapping Up Our BroadFutures Summer 2025 Internship Programs Global Alliance for Disaster Resource Acceleration (GADRA) shortlisted for the Zero Project Awards 2026!

Events

"Igniting Growth: Reimagining Supplier Inclusion"

September 18, 2025 Noon - 1 PM ET

Free Session

Register for the Igniting Growth webinar

Supplier development is more than a business strategy—it's a catalyst for innovation, resilience, and inclusive growth.

Join Cami Turcotte, Senior Director of Supplier Inclusion at Disability:IN, as she explores the evolving global supplier landscape and unveils forward-thinking strategies that organizations are using to unlock untapped potential.

Hosted in partnership with Disability:IN Chicagoland, Disability:IN DC Metro, and Disability:IN North Carolina, this virtual session will challenge conventional approaches and spark new ideas for building a more inclusive, dynamic, and future-ready supply chain.

About the Presenter:

Cami Turcotte has been with Disability:IN since 2012. She currently is the Senior Director, Supplier Inclusion. Cami works to identify and certify disability-owned businesses, as well as ensure stakeholder engagement throughout the Supplier Inclusion Program.Over the course of her time with Disability:IN’s Supplier Inclusion Program, she has worked closely with suppliers to foster and build their success as certified Disability-Owned Business Enterprises. She works to promote the importance of certification and the value that it provides through relationships, business development and further education.Cami attended Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida, and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Criminology. She has 2 teenage boys and spends most of her free time running, at the gym, or chasing after her dogs.

This virtual meeting will be held on Zoom. Registration is required to attend. Please register by Tuesday, September 16 at 5:00 PM.

Accessibility: Live captioning will be provided for this event. If you need accommodations to participate, please request them via the registration form at least 5 days prior to the event.

Technology and the Disability Experience

September 30, 2025 | NYC, NY

Tuesday, September 30 | Times Center

242 West 41st Street, New York, NY 10036

Purchase Tickets

An evening exploring how artificial intelligence and new technologies impact accessibility, disability inclusion, and the future of workforce innovation.

An exploration of artificial intelligence, extended reality, smart devices, and their impact on accessibility, disability inclusion, and the future of workforce innovation.

• Partner-Exclusive Pre-Event: 3:30 PM
• Cocktail Hour + Technology Showcase: 5:30 PM
• Main Event (Panel Discussion + Awards): 7-8:30 PM

Promoting Accessible Technologies and Environments

Disability:IN DC Metro is a Proud Sponsor of the

2025 M-Enabling Summit!

Sponsor Opportunities

Join Disability:IN DC Metro as a Sponsor of the M-Enabling Summit

Become a Sponsor and join us in Washington, D.C., from October 6 to 8, 2025, at our new venue, the Crystal Gateway Marriott, for a three-day dynamic summit and exhibition. Connect with innovative thought leaders and trendsetters who are transforming inclusive environments and user experiences for over 1.3 billion people with disabilities. Gain insights and network with business executives, disability advocates, developers, and policy experts across various sectors, including private, public, nonprofit, and education. 

An Evening of Community, Connection, and Collective Impact 

Date: Monday, October 6, 2025 (Tentative) at 7:00 – 9:00 pm 

Location: Crystal Gateway Marriott Rooftop 

Estimated Attendance: 100+ accessibility professionals and advocates 

Sponsor the Accessibility – DMV Group at the 2025 M-Enabling Summit

In 2024, during the M-Enabling Summit, the Accessibility-DMV group made waves.  

Accessibility-DMV is partnering with M-Enabling 2025 to host an official evening event celebrating our vibrant accessibility ecosystem in DC, Maryland, Virginia, and beyond.  

This is a unique opportunity to be part of a powerful, community-led gathering that embraces everyone, from cross-sector leaders to government changemakers, consultants, developers, disabled advocates, and innovators. 

In 2025, we're taking it to the next level, and we can't do it without you! Your expertise and passion are not just welcome; they are crucial to making this event a resounding success. 

Sponsors will have the opportunity to support and join an electric vibe with over 100 accessibility professionals for dinner and drinks during the 1st night of the Summit. 

Why Sponsor? 

As a sponsor, your organization will: 

• Demonstrate your commitment to accessibility 
• Connect with industry leaders and accessibility professionals 
• Recognize and applaud the accessibility of professionals and their work 
• Align your brand with inclusion, leadership, and innovation in the a11y space 
• Gain visibility among government decision-makers, industry professionals, and advocates 
• Be recognized as a catalyst for meaningful connection and professional growth 
• Support the accessibility community in a way that feels human, local, and unforgettable 

Gold Sponsor Package | $6,000

One employee conference registration 

Dedicated speaking moment and toast at the event 

Access for up to 25 employees to virtual streaming and post-recordings for six months 

Promotion in one social media campaign 

Logo features at the event and during the Summit  

Dedicated social media recognition before, during, and after the event 

Priority access to future Accessibility-DMV partnerships 

Silver Sponsor | $3,500

• Logo on shared signage and digital materials 
• Access for up to 10 employees to virtual streaming and post-recordings for six months 
• Mention during the event welcome 
• Social media recognition before and after the event 

Community Sponsor | $1,500

•  Name listed on signage and digital program 

•  Group thank-you post on LinkedIn 

•  Opportunity to support a scholarship or local attendee 

A11Y Sponsor | $500

• Name listed on event signage 
• Group thank you shoutout on socials 
• Digital badge to share on LinkedIn or your website 

Individual Advocate | $500

• Your name listed on our “Accessibility Champions” board at the event 
• Optional thank you post tagging you (with permission) 
• Bragging rights for supporting inclusive community building 

We're stronger together, and we want you to be a part of it. Join us as a sponsor and help us make this event a memorable success!

Contacts 

Dr. Angela Young, CPACC (they/them) 

Training & Awareness Initiative Lead 

ETS-Product Engineering & Delivery Services (PEDS) 

Navy Federal Credit Union, 820 Follin Lane, Vienna, VA 22180 

Angela_Young@navyfederal.org

Christopher M. Lee, PhD, G3ict CEO 

cmlee@g3ict 

Pat Tessler, G3ict, Business Developer Officer 

Pat.Tessler@g3ict.org 

Learn more about the E-Enabling Summit 2025, organized by G3ict

Visit the conference website

Gallaudet Deaf Way Film Festival

October 16-19, 2025

Buy Your Pass Today!

Early Bird Passes are on sale now through September 1 – don’t miss your chance to save! Regular pricing runs from September 2 to October 13. Final day to purchase tickets: October 13. Each Day Pass is valid only for the specific day it is purchased for and cannot be used for events on any other day.

Experience Deaf stories from across the Globe. Fro9m the US to France, Hong Kong to Sweden, Australia to Spain, Deaf filmmakers bring powerful new perspectives to the screen.

Highlights include Marlee Matlin, Not Alone Anymore

Directed by Shoshannah Stern, chronicaling the lifre and legacy of Academy Award winner Maerlee Matlin

Siren: The VOices of Shelley Beattie

a powerful new HBO documentary by Oscar-winner Irene Taylor – we will have a special screening of this HBO film at the Deaf Way Film Festival, before its public debut.

The Way We Talk (Hong Kong)

a sweeping coming-of-age drama exploring Deaf identity, language, and acceptance.

Short films from Norway, France, Spain, Canada, Australia, Sweden, Hong Kong, and the U.S.

Plus: Panels, art exhibitions, networking, and the Deaf Way Awards Ceremony.

Free Community Screening – Sunday, October 19

• Enjoy Gallaudet Stories at no cost. Open to all – advance registration for a free pass is required.

Industry Pass

• $250.00
• Access to all events including networking events with other industry professionals.

All-Access Pass

• $200.00
• Includes all events except networking events.

Evening Pass: Thursday, October 16

• $65.00
• Opening Night Screening

Day Pass: Friday, October 17

• $90.00
• Feature films, shorts, and panels.

Day Pass: Saturday, October 18

• $115.00
• Feature films, shorts, panels, and an awards ceremony.

Day Access: Sunday, October 17 (Free)

NTID Career Fair

 Thursday, October 16, 2025, from 12:30 to 4:00 p.m. 

This event is designed for employers actively recruiting students and graduates for co-op, internship, and full-time positions during the 2025–2026 academic year.

Register Now

What Registration Includes

• Registration Fee: $500 for up to two (2) representatives
• Option to add up to two (2) additional representatives at $100 each (maximum of four total per booth)
• One 6’ skirted table, two chairs, and optional power access
• Morning beverages and lunch for all registered representatives
• One ASL interpreter provided per booth. Companies are welcome to bring their own interpreters. Interpreter attendance will not count toward your representative limit, and no fee will be charged.

How to Register

Visit: https://rit-csm.symplicity.com/events/Fa25NTID

• If you have a Symplicity account, log in to register.
• If you are new to Symplicity, select "New Participants" and then proceed with registration.

Additional Details

Information about shipping instructions, directions, and parking will be sent after your registration is approved.

Questions? Email Erica Fleischman Roethel .

Thank you for your interest in recruiting at RIT/NTID. We look forward to seeing you on campus on October 16th!

Kind regards,

Erica Fleischman Roethel  She/Her/Hers

Assistant Director / NTID Career Fair Coordinator 

Co-op and Career Center

National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID)

Rochester Institute of Technology

One Year In: The Impact of the Current Administration on Disability Policy

NOD

November 6, 2025

1-2 pm ET

Register for NOD One-Year In Webinar

One year after the election, NOD CEO and President Beth Sirull reunites with Charles Catherine and Congressman Jim Langevin to assess the current administration and policy changes, examining their impact on the lives of people with disabilities.

PANELISTS:

Congressman Jim Langevin

Former U.S. Representative for Rhode Island & NOD Policy Ambassador

Charles E. Catherine-Caldaro

Director, Corporate & Government Relations, NOD

Moderator: Beth Sirull

President & Chief Executive Officer, NOD

Accessibility:

Captions and ASL Sign Language Interpreter will be provided.

Accommodations + Questions:

Please contact events@nod.org with your request or inquiry.

Purchase Tickets NOW for these Annual DC - based Signature Events!

2025 AFB Leadership Conference

Leading Together: Leveraging Change to

Advance Our Vision

November 12-14

Arlington, VA

Register for the AFBLC

Join us for the 2025 American Foundation for the Blind Leadership Conference (AFBLC), which will be held at the Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel in Arlington, Virginia, from November 12th to 14th!

This year’s conference theme is Leading Together: Leveraging Change to Advance Our Vision. The focus of the conference will be built on the dynamic reality that has been ensconced in our community in recent years. From the rapidly expanding fiscal austerity that has dramatically impacted legacy programs and institutions to the seismic societal shift brought by artificial intelligence and other technologies, our world has witnessed significant change. While headlines increasingly highlight a growing sense of disruption, AFB believes that by coming together, we can leverage this change in a manner that propels our mission forward for the next generation of thought leaders, scholars, and practitioners committed to creating a world of endless possibilities for people who are blind or have low vision.

Interested in Sponsoring? Download the AFBLC 2025 Sponsorship Menu to learn more or email partners@afb.org with any questions.

BroadFutures’ Upcoming Gala: A Renewed Vision. A Bold New Future.

November 22, 2025

5:30 pm- 8 pm

International Spy Museum

Washington, DC

Buy Your Gala Tickets Today!

A Renewed Vision. A Bold New Future.

Join us as we celebrate our community and look ahead with courage and purpose. From alumni, employers, parents, donors, and community partners, your support is crucial and we look forward to celebrating together. This year, BroadFutures is revealing their new brand and vision for the future and hope you will join us.

Meet Our Champion Awardee!

Atlas Performing Arts Center is a dedicated and longtime employer partner, deeply committed to our mission, providing a broad variety of inspiring, meaningful work experiences for our interns.

Originally built in 1938, as one of four movie theaters on H Street NE, The Atlas was a beloved gathering place for film lovers for over 30 years. Reimagined in 2006 as a vibrant, community-based performing arts center, the 59,000-square-foot facility now houses four performance spaces, dance studios, offices, back-of-house facilities, and a welcoming lobby with a bar. The Atlas’ mission is to provide space for artists to create music, theatre, and dance that entertains and engages audiences around the ideas and issues of our time. They foster an inclusive environment that reflects the diversity of the community and invest in partnerships and programs that showcase the best of the arts and our shared humanity.

7Magnolia is a leader in inclusive design—a design agency owned and led by neurodivergent individuals, grounded in the belief that diversity of thought drives more innovative, impactful brands and products that stand out and break the mold. 7 Magnolia is deeply committed to BroadFutures’ mission and has been an invaluable partner in our logo redesign and new website development—laying the foundation for a renewed vision and a bold new future for BroadFutures.

September Business News

Bill Curtis-Davidson Selected as Executive Director of CIDI

Lauren Lee | Aug 1, 2025 - Atlanta, GA

For immediate release

The Georgia Tech Center for Inclusive Design and Innovation (CIDI) is pleased to announce the selection of Bill Curtis-Davidson as the Center’s Executive Director. 

A Georgia Tech alum, Curtis-Davidson brings over twenty-five years of experience in academia and industry. He specializes in bridging emerging technology accessibility research into practice to benefit people with disabilities. 

“Since I left Tech as a researcher and adjunct faculty in Industrial Design, my career has given me the opportunity to gain global experience in accessibility,” says Curtis-Davidson. “A consistent focus of mine has been exploring how to bake inclusive design into an organization’s DNA, while creating environments where disabled people can drive that integration informed by their lived experiences."

Curtis-Davidson is widely recognized in the field for his translational research, his award-winning thought leadership on accessibility of emerging technologies (including immersive technologies and AI), and his expertise in human-centered design. 

“Bill Curtis-Davidson brings a rare combination of technical expertise, passion for accessibility, and a deep connection to the state of Georgia,” says Ellen Basset, Dean of the College of Design. “I'm very pleased that he has come back home to Georgia Tech.”

“We are thrilled to welcome Bill Curtis-Davidson back to Georgia Tech, where his journey in accessibility began,” agrees Alexander Lerch, Associate Dean for Research and Creative Practice at the College of Design. “His return as Executive Director of CIDI brings full circle a career defined by innovation, leadership, and a deep commitment to inclusive design.” 

Interim Executive Director Zerrin Ondin-Fraser is pleased about Curtis-Davidson’s selection as well. “[Curtis-Davidson’s] background in inclusive technology, policy, and strategy will bring new energy and ideas to CIDI. I’m confident his thoughtful leadership will guide CIDI into its next phase with clarity and vision, while keeping us grounded in the values that define our work,” she says. 

Curtis-Davidson’s appointment marks a significant step forward in CIDI’s mission to create a more accessible and inclusive world through research, education, and service. With his visionary leadership, deep cross-sector experience, and unwavering commitment to accessibility, CIDI is poised to expand its impact with Curtis-Davidson at the helm. 

Wrapping Up Our Summer 2025 Internship Programs

This August, we celebrated the conclusion of both our DC and National Internship Programs.

Our DC Program brought together 22 interns and 20 employer partners across the DMV, representing a broad range of industries from finance to hospitality and the arts. On August 8th, interns, families, employers, and community members gathered for our DC Program Intern Presentations & Employer Recognition Ceremony where we recognized the interns’ hard work and growth over the past two months and formally recognized the invaluable contributions of our employer partners.

Meanwhile, our National Program brought together a group of five interns at Merck, where they gained firsthand experience in Vaccine Manufacturing and Quality Assurance. We are thrilled to share that three of the interns have been offered extended employment opportunities with Merck beyond the summer.

We are so grateful to all of our employers or their partnership and support, and we cannot wait to see where our interns go next!

Global Alliance for Disaster Resource Acceleration (GADRA) shortlisted for the Zero Project Awards 2026!

We are happy to share that World Institute on Disability's Global Alliance for Disaster Resource Acceleration (GADRA) has been shortlisted for the Zero Project Awards 2026!

This year’s awards focus on Accessibility, ICT, and Crisis Response, and our innovative work has earned recognition among 163 outstanding solutions, selected from 586 #ZeroCall26 nominations across 93 countries. We are proud to stand alongside organizations from every continent that are driving progress in disability inclusion.

Being shortlisted is a significant milestone for us, reflecting our commitment to fill the gap when disability-led organizations are left out of funding and planning by connecting disability-led organizations actively responding to disasters with partners and resources, before, during, and after disasters. We look forward to the next stages: connecting with the global community, exchanging ideas, and learning from others.

The Zero Project’s selection process now continues and will involve hundreds of peer-review experts from around the world. We hope to be among this year’s Zero Project Awardees, which will be announced on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (December 3rd).

Discover more about our project

Learn more about the Zero Project Awards 2026

Thank You to Our Sponsor Partners!

mEnabling Summit 2025

WID

AAPD

Billion Strong

The Resource Network

The Valuable 500

Blind Institute of Technology

Standard Accessibility Reporting

BroadFutures

Lingvano

RespectAbility

Soniccloud

Level Access

Omnium Circus

Disability:IN Minnesota

Disability:IN Wisconsin

Disability:IN Chicagoland

Center for Disability Inclusion

Virginia Ability

Disability:IN DC Metro

“Think Globally, Act Locally”

Patrick Geedes  

Join Today!

Promoting Inclusion

Expanding Disability Education and Awareness

Our focus is on Culture Change!

Founded in 2006

Twice honored as Disability:IN Affiliate of the Year

 Led by The Hon. Katherine McCary

Founding Chair of Disability:IN National and

CEO, Executive Director of Disability:IN DC Metro

Disability:IN DC Metro (DC Metro) is an employer-led membership-based business association that creates business to business connections, dialogue, and learning within our geographic region of Washington, DC, Virginia, and Maryland, an area known as the National Capital Region. Our offerings, however, are not limited to geographic location. All DC Metro corporate member employees enjoy member benefits regardless of their physical geography. You don't have to live in the National Capital Region to engage and enjoy DC Metro's Professional Development Courses and topical Hybrid Programming!

Our Vision

“Cultivate workforces and workplaces where talent with disabilities are recruited, included, promoted, retained and valued as both internal talent and innovative vendors.”

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