Disability Impact

April 2026

News and Events for Disability Inclusion Leaders in the National Capital Region and Beyond!

Disability:IN DC Metro 20th Anniversary

Building the Next Decade Together!

Founded in May 2006 as the DC Business Leadership Network, now celebrating two decades of advancing inclusion and belonging in the DC Metro area and beyond.

K&L Gates LLP

1500 K Street NW Washington, DC 20006

Tuesday, May 5 from 5:30 pm to 8 pm

Join us to celebrate twenty years of progress and look ahead to the next decade of disability inclusion.

DC Metro Leadership Night Lineup

The Hon. Katherine McCary, CEO 

Craig Leen, Advisory Board Member and Legal Counsel

“What disability inclusion requires in 2026 and beyond”

Ryan Walters, Chair

Meghan Cadigan, Incoming Chair

Eduardo Meza-Etienne, Chief Accessibility Officer

Andrea Hall, Chief Strategy Officer

Rick Rodgers, Chief Disability-owned Business Strategist

Tom Downs, Chief Veteran Strategist (invited)

Moderator: Kia Silver-Hodge

Special Guest: Marcie Roth, World Institute on Disability D20 2026

On May 5, 2026, we will convene business leaders, government partners, nonprofit organizations, and disability advocates for a high‑impact, in‑person event focused on building inclusive workplaces, strengthening talent pipelines, and driving culture change across our region.

Buy Your Tickets and Support DC Metro!

Tickets

Supporters

Show your support for our commitment to accessibility, inclusion and belonging!

Impact

$2,000

Accessibility

$1,500

Community Belonging

$750

Scholarship Ticket

$500

Each level is designed to prioritize authentic connection, respectful engagement, and community-first participation.

ASL provided.

Please email us by April 15th with any other accommodation needs.

Congratulations to our new 2026 Board Members!

Margot Keale, Deloitte

Sena Pottackal, Disability Belongs

Kristin Witucki, Tamman, Inc.

What Our Community is Saying

BroadFutures CEO’s Statement on Harmful Remarks about Learning Disabilities

Leadership Has No Single Definition.

BroadFutures strongly condemns recent remarks by the Administration suggesting that individuals with learning disabilities are unfit for the Presidency and other positions of leadership. These statements are not only inaccurate, but deeply harmful—perpetuating stigma and undermining the progress we have made toward a more inclusive and understanding society.

Learning disabilities, including dyslexia, reflect differences in how individuals process information—they do not define or correlate to intelligence, judgment, or leadership potential. Individuals with learning disabilities contribute meaningfully across every sector of our society and economy. They are among our most creative thinkers, effective problem solvers, and inspiring leaders.

At BroadFutures, we are proud to work with talented neurodivergent young people, many of whom have learning disabilities. These young people are eager to contribute, succeed and lead. What holds them back is not ability, but access, understanding, and opportunity. Remarks like the Administration’s reinforce harmful stereotypes and create barriers at the very moment we should be working to remove them.

We all share responsibility for building a culture where every individual—regardless of how they learn or think— can realize their full potential. BroadFutures remains passionately committed to advancing a future where workplaces are inclusive, talent is recognized in all its forms, and leadership reflects the full diversity of our society, especially the gifts of those who think and learn differently.

Sincerely,

Carolyn K. Jeppsen

CEO/President/Co-Founder

April 1st is the first day of Autism Acceptance Month.

It is a time to both celebrate our community and reflect on the year since last Autism Acceptance Month. Over the last year, we’ve seen a rise in harmful misinformation about autism — false claims about vaccines, fear-based language, and ideas that some autistic people don’t deserve rights.

This Autism Acceptance Month, we want to remind everyone of the truth.

Autism is a normal part of life. Autistic people have always been here, in every community. We are not a tragedy, and our lives are not defined by suffering. More people are being diagnosed because we’re learning more and making sure more people have access to diagnosis — not because autism is “spreading.” We know autism is genetic. Autistic kids become autistic adults who might go on to have autistic kids themselves. That is not a tragedy.

All autistic people deserve rights. Some people in power are trying to divide our community by suggesting that some autistic people do not deserve rights. No one is “too disabled” to deserve rights. That is wrong. All autistic people are autistic, and all autistic people deserve rights. All means all. 

Autistic people have the right to live, learn, and work in the community. We have the right to get the support we need to live our lives well. We have the right to be safe from abuse. We have the right to communicate however works best for us, even if that changes. We have the right to make decisions about our own lives and bodies. These rights belong to every autistic person — no matter what. 

ASAN is fighting for all autistic people. When we say this, we really mean it. Read our full statement here.

Right now, things are hard for autistic people. But they don’t have to be. This Autism Acceptance Month, join us as we advocate for change, and make sure more people know the truth about autism. Because when our rights are recognized, our lives get better — and so do our communities.

Disability IN 2026 Global Conference

The Future of Business Is Being Built.

The builders, investors, and leaders shaping the future of business are building solutions that work better for more people. Are You IN?

Conference Registration

Conference Agenda

April is Autism Acceptance Month, celebrated throughout the month and on April 2nd (World Autism Awareness Day) to foster inclusion, highlight the talents of autistic individuals, and promote advocacy. Shifting from "awareness" to "acceptance," the focus is on creating a supportive, inclusive world for the 1 in 36 children and 1 in 45 adults on the spectrum. 

Key aspects of Autism Acceptance Month include:

• Focus on Action: Moving beyond mere awareness to practical inclusion, acceptance, and supporting the autistic community through advocacy.
• Celebrating Neurodiversity: Highlighting the unique strengths, perspectives, and contributions of autistic individuals rather than just focusing on challenges.
• Voices of Autistic People: Ensuring that discussions and decisions are guided by autistic individuals themselves.
• Support and Resources: Providing information to help autistic individuals and their families connect with services.
• Advocacy Efforts: Promoting policies that provide access to services, and supporting schools and workplaces that are genuinely inclusive. 

Many organizations, such as the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN), emphasize that "Acceptance of autism as a natural condition in the human experience is necessary for real dialogue to occur". This is often celebrated by wearing, for example, bright colors to promote acceptance, and using identity-first language ("autistic person").

Events in the April Newsletter

Celebrating Our 20th Anniversary Evening, May 5 --Become a Supporter- Buy a Ticket

Veterans Mental Health at Work, April 15

Supporting Apprenticeship Success April 30

Ability.Jobs Career Fair Dates: 5/7, 6/25, 8/20, 10/22, 12/10

VA Voice Guide and Stride, June 13, Richmond

Disability:IN Global Conference July 27-30

Gallaudet University Fall Career Fair September 24

Veterans Mental Health at Work

Register for EARN webinar

Apr 15, 2026 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM EDT

Each year, more than 200,000 service members transition from the military to civilian employment. That means each year American employers gain mission-driven workers who bring strengths such as integrity, loyalty, adaptability, and commitment to their workplace. Organizations that strive to understand the veteran transition experience can improve retention and build stronger, more cohesive teams. With clear communication, predictable expectations, consistent feedback, and respectful management practices, employers can create positive environments where all employees, including veterans with disabilities, can succeed, feel recognized, and be supported to thrive.

Join the Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability (EARN) for a free, practical webinar designed to help employers strengthen management practices to support veterans’ mental health and overall work performance. This session will provide actionable guidance that helps employers meet compliance requirements, foster leadership, and achieve positive outcomes for both individuals and organizations.

What You Will Learn:

• Strengths and transferable skills veterans bring to civilian workplaces and ways employers can leverage them for better performance
• Common transition challenges veterans may experience and how employers can respond with clarity and consistency
• Management approaches that support mental health while maintaining clear performance expectations
• Best practices for becoming a veteran-ready workplace and improving long-term retention

Featured Speakers

• Ashley Bryant, LPC; Extension Associate, Yang-Tan Institute on Employment and Disability at Cornell University
• Amber Alpízar, Operation Enduring Freedom Service Medal Veteran; former Senior Director of HR, Cornell University; Founder and Owner, ALIGN Impact Coaching and Consulting

Real-time captioning and ASL interpretation will be provided. Please request any additional accommodations via the registration form.

Supporting Apprenticeship Success

April 30, 2026, 2-3 p.m. ET

The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) will host the upcoming webcast, “Supporting Apprentice Success: Unlocking the Power of American Workers with Disabilities through Apprenticeship.”

Apprenticeships unlock career pathways. They combine paid work experience with classroom instruction, preparing workers for high-demand jobs in high growth, high demand industries, including manufacturing, technology, and infrastructure. These are sectors central to national competitiveness and economic stability. To grow and to thrive in today’s economy, employers in all industries need a highly skilled workforce. Supporting Americans with disabilities as apprentices helps industries and the nation stay competitive globally. The Office of Disability Employment Policy’s Job Accommodation Network, known as JAN, and Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability, known as EARN, are your partners in supporting apprentice success. EARN will share strategies on how to leverage youth and workers with disabilities as apprentices to meet workforce needs and boost productivity. JAN will share how accommodations support the journey of an apprentice from a learner to skilled professional. Reasonable accommodations ensure apprenticeships are available for all Americans, including those with disabilities. Learn more about what accommodations work for pre-apprenticeships and work-based learning programs, the role of Registered Apprenticeships where workers earn while they learn, and how accommodations support the employment journey.

ASL interpreting and real-time captioning are available for every webcast.

Show Your Support for Virginia Voice

JUNE 13, 2026

Collegiate School

103 N Mooreland Rd, Richmond, VA 23229

Buy a Ticket for Guide & Stride

or Call Virginia Voice at 804.266.2477 to sign up. Questions? Email kdriggs@virginiavoice.org

Wake up, lace up, and join Virginia Voice for a morning of fun, fresh air, and fitness! This Choose-Your-Distance Walk/Run/Roll/Stroll is an inclusive, accessible, family-friendly event celebrating our diverse community and empowering individuals of all abilities to get outside and exercise. All fitness levels welcome.

Sign up to walk/run/roll/stroll. Be a volunteer, sponsor, or vendor.

• Check-in opens at 8:00 am on June 13th; Walk/Run/Roll starts at 9:00 am; end by 12:00 noon
• Sliding scale, $10 suggested donation per participant
• Vendor and Sponsor opportunities available, more information below
• Rain or shine (indoor venue available on the campus)

START A FUNDRAISING TEAM

Do you love Virginia Voice and want to make your impact go even further? This year, create your own Guide & Stride Fundraising Team! Invite friends, coworkers, neighbors, and family members to help raise funds to keep Virginia Voice’s essential services free for the 13,000 Virginians with blindness and other disabilities who depend on them.

Career Fairs

Connecting Talent with Disabilities and Employers

Unlock the Power of disABILITY Talent

Job Fair Dates:

May 7, 2026

June 25, August 20, October 22, December 12

Register for direct engagement

Contact Lori Daly  for more information

Since 1995, abilityJOBS.com.com has been the leading resource for employers seeking to hire skilled professionals with disabilities.

abilityJOBS.com has an easy-to-use job board with AI-enhanced job postings and an extensive resume bank, providing year-round career listings and ads, as well as access to a nationwide pool of professionals across all industries.

The ABILITYJobFair.org is an accessible online job fair, bringing recruiters and job seekers with disABILITIES together in a human-centered experience. AJF uses face-to-face video, text chat, real-time captions and American Sign Language interpreters to allow for the most human in-person experience possible without the need to travel.

The Office for Career Success is excited to invite you to Gallaudet University’s Fall 2026 Internship and Job Fair!

Gallaudet University’s Fall 2026 Internship and Job Fair

Date: Thursday, September 24, 2026

Time: 10:00AM - 2:30PM

Location: Multi-Purpose Room in the Student Academic Building (SAC)

Registration: Now open on Handshake. If your organization doesn’t have a Handshake account, please create one first before registering for the event.

The early bird registration fee is available for registrations completed from now until May 22, 2026.

For Schools and Non-Profit organizations the early bird rate is $200. For For-Profit & Government Entities, the early bird rate is $250. Finally for Deaf-Owned Small Businesses and Start-Ups, the early bird fee is $100. From May 23, 2026 - September 10, 2026 the registration fee increases per group by $50. This registration fee includes two representatives and a light lunch. Employers may bring up to four representatives in total; additional representatives may be added for $25 each. Virtual interpreters are available at request for an additional cost.

Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with Gallaudet’s exceptional students and alumni.

Register today to secure your spot, and contact us with any questions. We look forward to seeing you at the fair!

A Global Movement Accelerating Disability Leadership, Accountability, and Inclusion

From Vision to Global Movement

Message from Our Founder & Executive Chair, Debra Ruh 

Dear Billion Strong Community,

I want to begin this newsletter with gratitude.



To the hundreds of volunteers, Global Advisors, partners, and friends who have stood with Billion Strong, thank you. Building a movement to unite one billion people with disabilities and our allies around the world is not a small undertaking. It has been an extraordinary journey.

Along the way, we have experienced successes, challenges, and even the loss of some incredible people who helped shape this vision. But the reality is this: we have made real progress, and we would not be here without the dedication of our community.

Today, we have over 922 Global Advisors worldwide, each bringing lived experience, expertise, and leadership to this movement. You have helped guide us through the early stages, and we are deeply grateful.

As a small token of appreciation, all current Global Advisors will receive their first year of Billion Strong membership free once our membership program launches. You have been building this with us from the beginning, and we want to honor that commitment.

A New Phase for Billion Strong

We are entering an exciting new chapter.

Billion Strong is becoming a membership organization, and in our next newsletter, we will share the full details of membership opportunities and how individuals and organizations can participate.

...Keep reading on LinkedIn

National Apprenticeship Week 2026!

The 12th Annual National Apprenticeship Week will take place from April 26 to May 2, and the theme is “America at Work: Making America Skilled Again Through Registered Apprenticeship.” Please visit the Department of Labor’s National Apprenticeship Week resources webpage for tools to help you prepare for and promote #NAW2026 as our nation celebrates its 250th year. We have a planning toolkit, an event promotion toolkit, a proclamation template, and other resources.

Visit the National Apprenticeship Week page

Experience Matters: Seniors and the Workforce

On Mar. 25, SHRM CEO and President Johnny C. Taylor, Jr. testified before the Senate Special Committee on Aging during the hearing “Experience Matters: Seniors and the Workforce.” He emphasized the economic, organizational, and personal value of older workers, and the need to align workplace practices and public policy with the realities of today’s workforce.

Taylor noted that as America’s workforce population ages, supporting older workers is one of the most reliable levers to sustain national productivity and competitiveness. Work provides more than income; it offers purpose, connection, and identity. Many older Americans are not working out of necessity but because they want to contribute, learn, mentor, and lead.

Research supports this: Employed older adults experience better cognitive and physical health, lower rates of depression, and improved well-being. Employers also benefit as research from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development found that firms with more workers ages 50 and older are shown to be more productive. Additionally, SHRM research has shown over 80% of HR professionals value older workers for loyalty and expertise, and more than 90% report they perform as well or better than other employees.

Yet outdated assumptions and policies often push experienced workers out, limiting both opportunity and economic potential. Taylor called for modernizing approaches — flexible work, lifelong learning, phased retirement options, and removing public policy disincentives — to unlock the value of this “untapped talent.”

In closing, Taylor reminded the Senate: “Talent does not expire. It evolves.” Aligning policies and practices with this reality can strengthen organizations, the economy, and the health, dignity, and purpose of millions of Americans.

nTIDE April 2026 Jobs Report:

Modest Employment Gains for People with Disabilities in March

East Hanover, NJ – April 3, 2026 – The April 2026 National Trends in Disability Employment (nTIDE) report shows modest gains in the employment of working-aged people with disabilities on pace with the modest gains in the overall labor market. nTIDE is issued monthly by Kessler Foundation and the University of New Hampshire’s Institute on Disability. 

Make America AI Ready

US Department of Labor launches ‘Make America AI-Ready’ initiative

Free AI literacy course aims to equip Americans with foundational AI skills

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the launch of “Make America AI-Ready,” a free artificial intelligence literacy course that will help American workers learn the basics of AI simply by texting “READY” to 20202.

The initiative advances the Trump Administration’s commitment to equip American workers with foundational AI skills needed to succeed in an AI-driven economy, as outlined in America’s Talent Strategy and the White House’s AI Action Plan.

The course is uniquely designed to deliver bite-sized learning content and daily challenges to users entirely over text message. Users can complete the course in seven days by engaging for just 10 minutes a day. The text message-based design is intended to be as accessible as possible to all Americans, including those without a laptop or with limited access to the internet. 

The initiative was developed through a public-private partnership between the Labor Department and education technology company Arist, a participant in the White House’s Pledge to America’s Youth to help advance AI education across the country.

“The ‘Make America AI-Ready’ initiative is designed to ensure every American worker has the chance to learn foundational skills so they can benefit from the opportunities that the AI economy presents,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer. “Under President Trump’s leadership, the Department of Labor remains committed to putting American workers first by providing them with the skills they need to support themselves and their families.”

“This initiative will help demystify AI for American workers,” said Deputy Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling. “We are seeing AI create new jobs, new levels of productivity, and new forms of entrepreneurship, and we want to make sure all Americans have the skills to share in that prosperity.”

The course engages participants with daily content that directly aligns with the five foundational areas outlined in the Labor Department’s recently-released AI Literacy Framework.

These content areas are: 

• Understand AI Principles: Understanding AI’s core concepts, capabilities, and limitations, creating the foundation for effective use.
• Explore AI Uses: Directly exploring different AI tools and relevant use cases, and how AI can complement human expertise.
• Direct AI Effectively: Understanding how to provide the right context to AI and how to create clear prompts that produce effective outputs.
• Evaluate AI Outposts: Assessing AI-generated results for accuracy, and relevance.
• Use AI Responsibly: Using AI in ethical and secure ways, protecting critical information, and ensuring accountability for outcomes.

The Labor Department designed the course to be the starting point for American workers in their AI journey, and the course concludes by offering participants additional resources to learn more advanced AI skills or pursue AI-related careers, based on their unique goals or interests. 

Phone numbers used to enroll in Make America AI-Ready are used solely for delivering the course and will never be shared with or sold to third parties for marketing or promotional purposes.

Learn more about the Make America AI-Ready initiative at dol.gov/ai-ready.

Introducing your 2026 Accessibility Action Calendar

Our 2026 Accessibility Action Calendar gives real estate leaders, workplace teams and ESG professionals a structured roadmap to align global awareness moments with tangible, measurable action.

From audits and policy reviews to staff engagement and environmental improvements, this is your blueprint for sustained progress.

Stop being reactive. Start building inclusion that lasts.

Download the Accessibility Calendar now

Studying the Long-Term Effects of AI on Humans

Artificial intelligence (AI) will play an increasing role in our daily lives, with effects on how we learn, work, and develop. AIR’s AI Century Study is a national research effort that aims to understand how AI shapes cognition and learning, health and well-being, skills and work trajectories, civic engagement, and long-term opportunity. Researchers will follow participants from communities across the U.S. and will share findings as the project progresses. Data collection begins in 2027.

Learn More about the AIR Study

Disability:IN DC Metro



Promoting Inclusion

Expanding Disability Education and Awareness

Our focus is on Culture Change!

Learn More about DisabilityIN DC Metro

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

The Voice of the Disability Community

• Join our First Annual Disability Inclusion Roundtable .
• Quarterly Member Meetings with Guest Speakers

Accessibility

Digital and AI implications for our community.

• Upcoming Seminar Presentation by Chief Accessibility Officer Eduardo Meza Etienne, with featured subject matter expert speakers.
• Meet with us at the 2026 M-Enabling Summit

Physical Access for employees, visitors and customers.

• Featuring C5 Consulting, LLC and United Spinal Association Accessibility Services work with DC Metro

Disability Owned Businesses

• D2D Quarterly Informal Virtual Networking Event
• Partnering with OurAbility making connections for business outcomes

Expanding our Disability Organization Relationships

• BroadFutures, Melwood, NOD, AAPD, Disability Belongs

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.

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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