Disability:IN DC Metro
December 2024
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Support your organization's disability inclusion commitment in 2025!
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IDPD 2024 Theme
Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future
The leadership of persons with disabilities is epitomized by the global disability rights movement’s slogan “Nothing About Us Without Us”. It connotes the basic requirements of participation, representation and inclusion and calls for persons with disabilities to actively shape the conditions of their lives.
One of the priorities of the global disability agenda is to advance the agency and leadership of persons with disabilities. In the past decades, persons with disabilities and organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs) have already championed for the changes in their communities, and have been leading many of the community-led initiatives not only to advance their own rights, and wellbeing but also promoting inclusive development for instance enabling universal access to basic services by all; they have done so by taking both targeted and mainstreaming approaches to disability inclusion through, among others, consultation, data collection and analysis, and support with advocacy and accountability efforts.
The observance of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2024 (IDPD 2024) takes place against the backdrop of pivotal global developments, from the Summit of the Future to the upcoming Second World Summit for Social Development. These key global Summits will complement one another in providing a continuous roadmap toward disability-inclusive and sustainable peace and development. By emphasizing this complementarity, the theme chosen for the observance in 2024 aims to underscore the importance of leveraging the leadership of persons with disabilities to ensure disability-inclusive and sustainable peace and development for all.
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Commemorative Event at the UN Headquarters in New York
3 December 2024
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The commemorative event to be held at the UN Headquarters in New York to mark this year’s IDPD will consist of an in-person opening segment and a virtual panel.
10am-11am (in-person): Opening Segment
The opening segment will provide a policy overview of the global disability agenda over the past year, as well as look forward to key global policy milestones ahead. The overview will encompass developments and achievements following the Conference of States Parties to the CRPD (17th session), the 79th session of the General Assembly and the Summit of the Future, as well as discuss the upcoming Second World Summit for Social Development (2025) and ongoing efforts to realize the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development for, with and by persons with disabilities.
11:30am-1:15pm (online): Panel Discussion
The panel discussion, following the opening segment, will be organised in a virtual format, engaging experts, advocates and leaders in the global disability rights movement and highlighting emerging trends and opportunities for amplifying the voices, agency and action of persons with disabilities in key areas related to disability-inclusive and sustainable peace and development.
The following discussion points will structure the panel discussion:
- The upcoming Second World Summit for Social Development;
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Five-year anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 2475;
- The current climate crisis affecting people and planet as a whole.
Concept note
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The United Nations Disability Inclusion Strategy
When launching the United Nations Disability Inclusion Strategy in June 2019, the Secretary-General stated that the United Nations should lead by example and raise the Organization’s standards and performance on disability inclusion—across all pillars of work, from headquarters to the field.
The United Nations Disability Inclusion Strategy provides the foundation for sustainable and transformative progress on disability inclusion through all pillars of the work of the United Nations. Through the Strategy, the United Nations system reaffirms that the full and complete realization of the human rights of all persons with disabilities is an inalienable, integral and indivisible part of all human rights and fundamental freedoms.
In 2024, the Secretary-General submitted his fifth report on disability inclusion in the UN system. It reflects on the progress made to advance disability inclusion, highlights new or continuing challenges and opportunities presented through the Strategy’s implementation, and emphasizes key areas of focus needed to continue mobilizing the system towards an inclusive, accessible and sustainable world for all.
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Did you know?
- An estimated 1.3 billion people experience significant disability. This represents 16% of the world’s population, or 1 in 6 of us.
- Some persons with disabilities die up to 20 years earlier than those without disabilities.
- Persons with disabilities have twice the risk of developing conditions such as depression, asthma, diabetes, stroke, obesity or poor oral health.
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Health inequities arise from unfair conditions faced by persons with disabilities, including stigma, discrimination, poverty, exclusion from education and employment, and barriers faced in the health system itself.
Source: WHO Factsheet
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Disability:IN DC Metro
Professional Resource Groups
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Much like your own organization's ERG (Employee/Associate/Business Resource Groups/Networks or ERG,ARG,BRG, ERN!), DC Metro recently launched our Professional Resource Groups. Each PRG meets quarterly to share and discuss topics of interest to the group. All are welcome! | |
This month, we invite our members and interested allies to join our
Accessibility (Ally) PRG
honoring the International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2024.
Meet our Executive Lead, Eduardo Meza-Etienne!
Eduardo is employed at Level Access and serves as Chief Accessibility Officer at Disability:IN DC Metro. Our Ally PRG will come together for its first meeting in February 2025. Contact Eduardo or Katherine McCary to join the Ally PRG.
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Thank you Eduardo for your leadership, accessibility expertise and commitment to Disability Inclusion! | |
Eduardo Meza-Etienne
SME Technical Accessibility Consultant, Chief Accessibility Officer at Disability:IN DC Metro CPACC, ADS | MSc | MIM
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Eduardo, a resilient brain injury survivor, brings over two decades of experience to the accessibility and disabilities field. His mission is to foster inclusivity across higher education, ngovernment agencies, and Fortune 500 companies. As a skilled technologist, Eduardo specializes in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) matters. His expertise spans international accessibility trends, assistive technologies, and legal mandates.
Key Accomplishments:
Principal Accessibility SME: Eduardo drives innovation and compliance in digital accessibility based on his experience supporting enterprise multinational and multi-brand organizations.
Board Leadership: Since 2009, Eduardo has served on the Board of Directors for Disability:IN DC Metro and is the current Chief Accessibility Officer.
Certifications: Eduardo is certified as a Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies and Accessibility Document Specialist by the International Association of Accessibility Professionals
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Join the Billion Strong Moment!
As we celebrate IDPD, it seems appropriate to highlight Billion Strong, a global non-profit founded by an incredible well respected global disability leader and our dear friend, Debra Ruh!
Billion Strong is an identity and empowerment organization designed to bring the billions of voices of persons with disabilities together. We are a global community of persons with lived experiences of disabilities that will also celebrate our allies and accomplices. Together we will be heard!
Finding the Voice of the Community
Billion Strong will bring our global community together so we can find our collective voices, fight for our rights, and highlight other activities locally, nationally, and globally.
Billion Strong will embrace and support our community, which includes entrepreneurs with disabilities and other diverse groups, with professional development, training, mentoring, coaching, education, and programs to assure that employers know how to find qualified candidates with disabilities all over the world.
Together we can reach this goal!
Our Mission is to connect and empower
We are creating a fully accessible platform that will allow the global community to connect
- With each other and
- With corporations
- With governments and
- With Disability Persons Organizations
Empowering the community through connection.
See detailed actions
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WHAT'S HAPPENING- Events Summary | |
- Champions for Change: A Global Celebration with Disability:IN -
December 3
- Harnessing ESG for Disability and Neuro-Inclusion - Dec 4
- Success at Work with a Mobility Disability- Dec 12
- Next ABILITY Job Fair - December 12, 2024
- Harkin Disability Summit - Dec 18-19
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Announcing 2025 Omnium Circus DC Metro Group Tickets
Email us to Purchase Before Friday, December 20!
Bring your friends, family and join us for this amazing event.
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Disability:IN DC Metro has reserved 50 center orchestra seats for the Omnium Circus at the Warner Theatre on Sunday February 22 at 2 pm.
Warner Theatre is a theatre located at 513 13th Street, N.W. in downtown Washington, D.C. The theatre is part of an office building called the Warner Building located on 1299 Pennsylvania Avenue.
The seats are the center orchestra, the first 2 rows of the green section (plus a few on the third.)
10% of the ticket price will be donated back to Disability:IN DC Metro.
Contact us to purchase tickets and support our mission!
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Upcoming Events in the Capital Area Region
and Beyond
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Champions for Change:
A Global Celebration with Disability:IN
December 3
Join us for Disability:IN’s celebration of IDPWD with a dynamic program
showcasing stories of Paralympians from around the world.
This virtual program will be available to stream on-demand starting
Tuesday, December 3, 2024 at 12:01 AM EST.
Hosted by Molly Burke—speaker, content creator, model, author, and advocate—this one-hour program will stream on-demand on Tuesday, December 3rd. Companies are encouraged to host their own streaming parties using our provided discussion questions, resources, and templates. We invite you to join IN to celebrate global disability inclusion and spark conversations with your team.
This program is free and open to the public. The stream will be hosted on Disability:IN’s YouTube & Vimeo Channels.
This page will be updated with links to the stream at 12:01 AM EST on Tuesday, December 3 2024.
YT: MollyBurkeOfficial
IG: @MollyBurkeOfficial
TikTok: @MollyBurkeOfficial
LinkedIn: MollyBurke
Facebook: MollyBurkeOfficial
Twitter: MollyBOfficial
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Harnessing ESG for Disability and Neuro-Inclusion
December 4, 2024
10 am ET
Register now to learn more!
Integrating DEI into your ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) strategy isn’t just the right thing to do - it’s essential for social impact and business success. Globally, disabled and neurodivergent individuals face significant employment barriers; in the UK, for example, only 53% of disabled working-age adults are employed, compared to 83% of non-disabled peers.
Join us to learn how disability and neuro-inclusion can enhance your DEI and ESG efforts, creating real value. Our expert panel featuring Jill Houghton, President & CEO, Disability:IN, Diane Lightfoot, CEO, Business Disability Forum, and Marcia Dukes, DEI Lead, MassMutual will share practical steps for embedding disability inclusion into your organization. Plus, gain valuable insights from Caroline Casey, Founder of the Valuable 500, as she shares actionable strategies to end disability exclusion and set attainable goals.
Ideal for Business Leaders, HR Professionals, DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging) DEIA (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility) (Specialists, Training & Development Leads, Employee Engagement & Staff Performance Managers, ERG Leads, Disability & Neurodiversity Champions.
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Next ABILITY Job Fair: December 12, 2024
The 2025 Dates Just Announced!
Whether you are looking to enrich your workforce with the most dedicated candidates or meet Sec. 503 OFCCP compliance for your Affirmative Action Plan, ABILITY's accessible, online career fairs can help. Contact ABILITY Job Fair to Sign Up!
For morem information, contact Lori Daly.
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Success at Work with a Mobility Disability
Webinar
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Starkloff Disability Institute, United Spinal Association, and Paraquad are proud to partner to bring you this virtual discussion.
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Thursday, December 12
Noon CT / 11am ET
Register for the Starkloff webinar
Join us for a conversation with four accomplished professionals with mobility disabilities about the challenges faced and lessons learned navigating their careers in both corporate and nonprofit sectors.
Topics include:
• How to request a workplace accommodations
• How to navigate difficult conversations
• Networking as a professional with a disability
• Building confidence
• Live audience Q+A
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2024 Harkin International Disability Employment Summit
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Washington, DC at the JW Marriott Hotel
December 18-19.
Register Now!
$450 for on-site.
The Harkin Summit brings together key champions and implementers from around the world to increase the employment of people with disabilities.
The Harkin International Disability Employment Summit has occurred annually since 2016 and has gathered private employers, government leaders, and disability advocates from more than 40 countries to address the barriers to competitive, integrated employment for persons with disabilities.
More exciting announcements about our agenda and speakers will be coming soon! You can follow our Harkin Summit social media accounts for the latest announcements:
Facebook: HarkinSummit
LinkedIn: Harkin-Summit
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“Ask JAN! Q&A: Year End Review–Accommodations at Work”
The recorded webcast and accompanying transcript are now available. You can find the event in the JAN Webcast Series Library or go directly to YouTube.
| Disability in the Workplace | |
In 2024, 196 employers answered 200+ questions on disability inclusion.
Read the 2024 Insights Report
NOD’s researchers then aggregated and analyzed this information to produce the Disability in the Workplace: 2024 Insights Report. Get the report to discover:
- What we learned from the data;
- How to implement these learnings, and
- Why collective implementation matters for both people with disabilities and for corporate America.
| Make Inclusive Hiring a Priority |
Wondering if your hiring practices are inclusive of people with disabilities?
EARN is sharing actionable and easy-to-implement disability-inclusive hiring strategies and best practices to help ensure your hiring process is welcoming to people with disabilities.
Post inclusive job descriptions, provide reasonable accommodations, conduct inclusive interviews, develop targeted hiring programs, implement flexible policies, encourage voluntary self-identification, and achieve accessible onboarding.
According to a report from Accenture, companies that practice inclusive hiring experience significant financial gains, greater worker participation, increases in innovation, and higher productivity, among other benefits. Hiring people with disabilities can help businesses of all sizes meet their workforce needs.
In addition, as a large market segment in the United States, people with disabilities make up a significant portion of consumers. Savvy employers know that one of the best ways to tap into this customer segment is to represent disabled workers throughout their company.
Inclusive hiring is not only good for people with disabilities, it's also great for business.
| What's Next? The Impact of the November Election on Disability Policy (Archive) | |
An esteemed panel of speakers came together for a critical post-election discussion on November 21 and analyzed the outcomes and explore how that will shape the future of disability policy. Listen to experts and stakeholders in a bipartisan context on the path forward for disability inclusion and advocacy.
PANELISTS:
- Congressman Jim Langevin | Former Congressman, Rhode Island (D) & NOD Policy Ambassador
- Charles E. Catherine-Caldaro | Director, Corporate & Government Relations, NOD
- MODERATOR: Beth Sirull | President & Chief Executive Officer, NOD
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Thank You to Our Sponsor Partners! | |
SAVE THESE DATES FOR 2025 | |
MEET OUR COLLABORATIVE PARTNERS | |
Learn More About DC Metro
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Disability:IN DC Metro
“Think Globally, Act Locally”
Patrick Geedes
Join Today!
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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!
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Our Members and Guests have access to resources, programs and partners to strengthen the disability inclusion efforts and outcomes.
- Thought leadership
- Professional Development courses
- Business to business networking
- Introductions to community partners
- Access to talent
- Hot topic programming led by Subject Matter Experts
- Webinars
Join our
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Our Board
Board Members:
- Jessica Lee Aiello, TCS Teams
- Jennifer Bassett, Immediate Past Chair, JBG SMITH Companies
- Meghan Cadigan, Vice Chair, KPMG
- Tashi Carper, Leidos
- Anjali Desai-Margolin, Gallaudet University
- Tom Downs, Booz Allen Hamilton
- Jenn Gauvreau, Secretary, CGI Federal
- Andrea Hall, General Dynamics Mission Systems and DC Metro Chief Strategy Officer
- Susan Morgan, General Dynamics IT
- Eduardo Meza-Etienne, Level Access and DC Metro Chief Accessibility Officer
- Kelly Cutlip, Northrop Grumman
- Ryan Walters, Chair, Deloitte
- Myra Wilder, BAE Systems
Strategy Advisors Board Members:
- Josh Basile, Jack H. Olender & Associates
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Michelle Crabtree, Town of Vienna
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Crosby Cromwell, Cephable
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Lori Daly, Diversifi Consulting Group and Chair, Community Outreach PRG
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Ron Drach, Drach Consulting, LLC and Chair, Veteran PRG
- Diane Monnig, The Arc of Northern VA
- Melody Goodspeed, The American Foundation for the Blind
- Karen Herson, Concepts, Inc.
- Carolyn Jeppsen, BroadFutures
- Craig Leen, K&L Gates, Former OFCCP Director
- Carrie Martin
- Rick Rodgers, The Resource Network and Chair, Disability Supplier Diversity PRG
The Hon. Katherine McCary, CEO, Disability:IN DC Metro
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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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