Disability Impact

March 2026

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

Disability IN 2026 Global Conference

The Future of Business Is Being Built.

Early Bird Rates End March 16.

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

Register by March 16 to lock in early bird pricing and join conversations you won't get anywhere else across AI, neuroinclusion, work design, and more.

Conference Registration

Conference Agenda

Events in the March Newsletter

• NOD Leadership Council Open House, Tuesday, March 10
• Beyond the Algorithm: Employers Facing New AI Rules in 2026, March 18
• Disability:IN MN “Unhide and Thrive: Inclusion and Belonging in the Workplace” March 19
• Virginia Ability Forum with Craig Leen, Richmond, VA March 19
• Neurodiversity in Focus,March 19
• Webinar: Supporting Youth and Young Adult Apprentices with Disabilities, March 26,
• Ability.Jobs Career Fair Dates: 3/19, 5/7, 6/25, 8/20, 10/22, 12/10
• NOD Virtual Career Fair, MAR. 24
• Gallaudet University's Spring 2026 Niche Non-Profit Fair, March 25 Registration on Handshake
• Celebrating Our 20th Anniversary Evening, May 5 Become a Sponsor!
• Disability:IN Global Conference July 27-30

NOD Leadership Council Open House

 Tuesday, March 10 | 1 PM EST / 10 AM PST

REGISTER TODAY

Learn More about NOD's Leadership Council

Senior business leaders are invited to connect with our Disability Inclusion Specialists, explore the benefits of membership, and see how our practical support and exclusive resources can help your organization turn intention into action, and action into measurable results.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND:

• Business and nonprofit leaders
• HR, People Operations, and Talent Acquisition leaders 
• Senior leaders in DEI and Belonging
• Accessibility, Compliance, and Risk Management team members
• ERG sponsors and Employee Engagement leaders
• Senior managers shaping workplace culture
• Organizations new to disability inclusion
• Organizations seeking to advance or scale existing disability inclusion efforts

WHAT WE'LL COVER:

• What the Leadership Council is and how it helps companies integrate disability inclusion into their business strategy
• Introductions to the Disability Inclusion Specialists and how they act as an extension of your team in order to support your goals
• New levels for every budget and expanded member benefits, including hiring support, executive coaching, event tickets, and more!
• How organizations leverage their membership to strengthen culture, talent pipelines, and leadership accountability

Beyond the Algorithm: Employers Facing New AI Rules in 2026

SHRM credit is available

March 18, 2026 (2:00 PM - 3:00 PM EDT)

Register for "Beyond the Algorithm" webinar

Employers are continuing to see new capabilities, features, and efficiencies associated with the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and automated employment decision tools in recruitment and selection. However, with these new benefits come increased risks, and state and local governments are implementing new requirements and prohibitions to protect workers. This patchwork of new regulations, such as Colorado's AI Act and the Texas Responsible Artificial Intelligence Governance Act, is leaving employers with difficult decisions about how to deploy organization-wide tools that need to comply with multiple, and oftentimes significantly different, laws.

Join DCI for this important webinar covering the latest developments in:

• Colorado
• Texas
• New York City
• Illinois
• California
• And more

Speakers:

Amanda Allen, Ph.D., Senior Consultant

Grace Boudjalis, M.A., Associate Consultant

“Unhide and Thrive: Inclusion and Belonging in the Workplace”

 Thursday, March 19, 2026

1:00 PM ET

Register

Choose Disability:IN Affiliate Member/Partner  for discounted registration



Guest speaker Ruth Rathblott reveals how authenticity boosts performance and why unhiding your true self leads to success.

Ruth Rathblott is a disability diversity expert, bestselling author, and former CEO who spent twenty-five years hiding her disability before transforming her experience into a global movement for authentic inclusion. By sharing her personal journey from concealment to empowerment, she provides a practical roadmap to build psychologically safe environments where everyone can bring their full selves to work. This talk is a call to action for organizations to move beyond surface-level diversity and embrace a culture of belonging where transparency becomes the ultimate catalyst for peak performance and innovation.

In this powerful session, Unhide and Thrive, Ruth explores the high cost of "covering" in the workplace—the exhausting act of concealing one's true self to fit in—and demonstrates how hiding unique differences drains productivity and stifles connection.

Virginia Ability Forum

Access Granted - Unlocking Opportunities Together 

March 19

9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon

(Registration & breakfast begin at 8:30 a.m.)

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden | Richmond, VA

Register for the VA Ability Forum

This free forum is especially valuable for:

• Employers and business leaders
• HR, DEI, and talent professionals
• Legal, compliance, and risk management teams
• Community partners, educators, and workforce professionals

Attendees can expect practical takeaways they can apply immediately, including insights on inclusive hiring and retention, legal and compliance considerations, reasonable accommodations, and strategies for fostering workplace cultures where people with disabilities can thrive.

Through expert keynotes, a legal update, and a panel discussion featuring leaders from across business and the community, the forum is designed to move beyond conversation and support real-world action.

We invite you to join us for this meaningful exchange as we work together to unlock opportunity and strengthen workplaces across Virginia. Limited spots remain.

Neurodiversity in Focus

MAR. 19 | ZOOM WEBINAR | 1 PM EST

REGISTER FOR MAR. 19

Featuring leaders from EY and professionals in the leadership sector, this session will give participants practical strategies for fostering inclusion, understanding, and support, leaving equipped to create environments where all minds can thrive.

Webinar: Supporting Youth and Young Adult Apprentices with Disabilities

March 26, from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. ET,

Register for the apprenticeship webinar

Apprenticeships offer employers direct access to a talent pipeline while giving young people with disabilities valuable hands-on experience, industry-recognized credentials, and a pathway to long-term financial stability. Learn more about how businesses can engage with this untapped talent pool and help meet critical workforce needs. The session, “Opening Doors: Empowering the Disability Talent Pipeline through Apprenticeships,” hosted by ODEP’s Center for Advancing Policy on Employment for Youth will also explore effective strategies for supporting young apprentices with disabilities to complete apprenticeship programs. A live Q&A will follow the presentation.

Career Fairs

Connecting Talent with Disabilities and Employers

Unlock the Power of disABILITY Talent

Job Fair Dates: 3/19, 5/7, 6/25, 8/20, 10/22, 12/10



Contact Lori Daly for more information on the Job Fairs

Since 1995, abilityJOBS.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.

It is an accessible online job fair, bringing recruiters and job seekers with disABILITIES together in 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.

Virtual Career Fair

MAR. 24 | VIRTUAL PLATFORM | 10:30 AM EST

REGISTER FOR March 24

Free for Leadership Council members! Designed to close the gap between talent and opportunity, the Virtual Career Fair connects hiring employer to students and recent grads with disabilities seeking to launch their careers. 

Gallaudet University's Spring 2026 Niche Non-Profit and Deaf-Owned Business Fair (open to Government and Private sectors)

Date: Wednesday, March 25, 2026

Time: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM

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

The Office for Career Success is excited to invite you to Gallaudet University's Spring 2026 Niche Non-Profit Fair!

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

The fee is $100, which includes two representatives and light refreshments. Employers may bring up to four representatives in total; additional representatives may be added for $25 each. Virtual interpreters are available at an additional cost.

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

Register today on Handshake to secure your spot, and contact us with any questions. 

We hope to see you at the fair!

Disability:IN DC Metro

20th Anniversary Celebration

JOIN US!!!

May 5, 2026

Evening In Person

5:30-8:00 PM

K&L Gates 1601 K St. NW

Washington, DC

Honoring Accessibility Leaders

and

15th Annual Global Accessibility Awareness Day (May 21, 2026)

Buy Tickets to the Anniversary Celebration

Contact Katherine McCary about becoming a Recognized Sponsor

Sponsor Opportunities

• Presenting Sponsor (1) $3,500
• Reception Sponsor (1) 2,000
• Impact Sponsor (1) 1,500
• Community Sponsor $750 unlimited
• ASL Interpretation Sponsor (1) $3,000
• Photo and headshot corner (1) $2,000
• Name badge and lanyard sponsor (1) $800
• Scholarship tickets sponsor $500 unlimited
• Donors (any level)

Supporting Gen Z Workers' Mental Well-Being

Read the learning guide on Gen Z mental health

Many of today’s younger workers—Gen Zs born between 1997 and 2012—grew up more comfortable talking about mental health issues than previous generations. But they also have significantly higher rates of anxiety and depression. Understanding this generational shift can help employers support young workers and attract and retain top talent. ODEP’s learning guide “Supporting the Mental Well-Being of Gen Z Workers” outlines proactive steps employers can take to foster supportive, mental health-friendly workplaces that benefit employees and the organization as a whole.

Get Ready for 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

OFCCP Gets Funded for Fiscal Year 2026

By Joanna Colosimo, DCI Consulting

On February 3, 2026, President Trump signed a spending bill that includes funding for the Department of Labor. The bill allocates just under $101 million for the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) for fiscal year 2026 (FY 2026), marking a significant shift from the White House’s initial budget proposal to eliminate the agency.

The budget approval is approximately $11 million less than the prior year, which is a 10% reduction, leaving a majority of OFCCP’s funding intact. However, based on recent data, OFCCP’s workforce is about 25% smaller than a year ago.

OFCCP is actively investigating complaints alleging violations of Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act, and it is clear the agency will survive another fiscal year. However, uncertainty remains about what additional responsibilities the agency may be tasked with in order to utilize the approved budget amount.

DCI is monitoring this situation and will keep the contractor community updated.

Employment of People with Disabilities Declines in February 

National Trends in Disability Employment (nTIDE) March 2026 Jobs Report 

National Trends in Disability Employment (nTIDE) – Issued monthly by Kessler Foundation and the University of New Hampshire

Durham, NH – March 6, 2026 – The March 2026 National Trends in Disability Employment (nTIDE) report shows that employment of working-aged people with disabilities declined between January and February. While the country braces for the potential economic impact of the bombing campaign in Iran, people with disabilities are experiencing a weakening labor market. nTIDE is issued monthly by Kessler Foundation and the University of New Hampshire’s Institute on Disability.

Based on data from today’s BLS Jobs Report andseparate nTIDE analysis, the employment-to-population ratio for people with disabilities (ages 16-64) decreased from 38.4 percent in January 2026 to 38.1 percent in February 2026 (down 0.8 percent, or 0.3 percentage points). For people without disabilities (ages 16-64), the employment-to-population ratio remained the same at 74.5 percent in both January and February 2026. The employment-to-population ratio, a key indicator, is the percentage of people who are working relative to the total population (the number of people working divided by the total population, then multiplied by 100).

General Services Administration Publishes Annual

Government-wide 508 Assessment

Learn more about the 508 Assessment

The General Services Administration (GSA) has released its third annual report on federal compliance on Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. While the report highlights strengthened acquisition and procurement practices, the federal government continues to fall short of its legal and statutory obligations to ensure equal access for individuals with disabilities, including federal employees and members of the public.

Disability:IN DC Metro

Veteran Medallion Award Winner

General Dynamics Mission Systems

Honor Service Through Opportunity: Hire a Veteran!

During National Invest in Veterans Week, our nation celebrates the contributions and sacrifices of America's dedicated veteran entrepreneurs. This is a time to honor the men and women who have selflessly served our country and now lead in business.

Employers, especially entrepreneurs who have served in our U.S. Armed Forces play a vital role in honoring military service by creating economic opportunities at home for our American Heroes.

Join us in celebrating and supporting our devoted veterans who bring valuable skills and experience to boost growth in our economy. Learn how you can hire and retain top veteran talent with DOL Veterans’ Employment and Training Service resources!

• Show off your business’s dedication to recruiting, employing, and retaining veterans by applying for the Hire Vets Medallion Award. Last month, more than 800 business owners, entrepreneurs, and employers were recognized for leading the way in veteran employment in 2025. You have until April 30 to submit your application.

• Connect with the Regional Veterans’ Employment Coordinators (RVECs) to grow your veteran workforce! RVECs engage with local, regional, and national employers and connect them with federal, state, and local resources to facilitate veterans’ employment. Contact RVECs in your area today.

• Through our partnership with the Small Business Administration military spouses can participate in a two-hour workshop to help you get started on the path of entrepreneurship. 

• The connects veteran entrepreneurs and business owners with transitioning service members and spouses searching for a meaningful civilian career. Connect with an Employment Navigator at select military installations to hire service members, veterans, and spouses to complete your team.

• American Job Centers help veteran-led businesses grow by connecting you with skilled, work-ready veterans who are trained, supported, and prepared to contribute to your company’s mission from day one.

• Apprenticeship Programs offer business owners and employers the opportunity to train and retain veterans ready to learn, grow, and expand your workforce. Reduce hiring risks, strengthen your talent pipeline, and invest in veterans through a Registered Apprenticeship program.

Employers - Looking for more tools and resources? Find everything you need to take the next step in empowering veterans and strengthening your business. 

Whether you’re launching a business or scaling your workforce, resources are available to help you connect with skilled, mission-ready veterans and through local support and apprenticeship opportunities.

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.

• 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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