Imagine Technical Institute的动态

"We understand there is a significant inequity in employment for our customer base: people with disabilities are more than twice as likely to be unemployed compared to those without disabilities." As we come to the end of October, National Disability Employment Awareness Month, this disparity serves as a call to action. Valuable 500 company, BraunAbility shared with us how their organisation is dedicated to closing this gap by creating pathways to employment through mentorship, paid internships, and partnerships with organisations that support disability inclusion. NDEAM reminds us of the urgency to break down barriers and ensure equal access to meaningful work for all. Read more about the work BraunAbility are doing to bridge this gap:?https://lnkd.in/edUV9727 #NDEAM [Image description: The image features a group of five people interacting and smiling on a stage with a blue curtain background. Two individuals are seated in wheelchairs, while the others are standing or leaning in to engage with them. The atmosphere is friendly and inclusive. In the lower left corner, there is a quote inside a light green box that reads: "We understand there is a significant inequity in employment for our customer base: people with disabilities are more than twice as likely to be unemployed compared to those without disabilities." In the top right corner, there is a logo with a "V" shape and a heart in blue, associated with the "Generation Valuable" initiative.]

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM)! This month, we celebrate the incredible skills and contributions of individuals with disabilities in the workplace. Thanks to the encouragement of my friends and family, I took the leap to apply for numerous jobs and internships even though I was scared. While I faced many rejections, I also landed amazing opportunities with Fox Sports, the LA Clippers, and even The White House—an unforgettable experience that I will never forget! Through these interviews and roles, I learned invaluable lessons about navigating the workplace with a disability and the importance of asking for accommodations. Now, as an employer running my own business, I understand firsthand how vital it is to provide accommodations and to maximize efficiency based on each employee's unique skill set. While employment rates for individuals with disabilities are improving, there's still a significant gap compared to those without disabilities (about a 1:2 ratio). We must continue raising awareness about the unique perspectives and talents that individuals with disabilities bring to the table. At the same time, to those with disabilities: don’t get discouraged! Please continue to pursue your career dreams—like I have because being a part of the workforce is very possible. A diverse workforce drives innovation and helps companies thrive! My hope is that we can all strive to continue to create inclusive workplaces where everyone can succeed! #NDEAM #DisabledInTheWorkplace #WorkplaceInclusion #DiverseWorkforce #DiversityMatters #DisabilityInclusion #disabilityemployment

Taking small inclusive actions in your business can have a significant impact on the lives of people with disabilities; significantly impacting on their ability to successfully navigate the workplace. Read our blog on how your business can improve inclusion for people with disabilities - https://lnkd.in/eQrR6mvk #Inclusivity #Paralympics #Blog #SupportedInternships #SENDSupport

Over the next five years, WDNBH is committed to advancing three long-term priorities that will create a lasting impact in South Dakota: Disability in the Workplace 101 Training: Launching a comprehensive training program to educate business leaders on disability inclusion. This program will provide employers with insights and tools to foster workplaces where individuals with disabilities can thrive. In 5 years, we aim to share this training with over 200 business owners and their staff! Growing Our Volunteer Base: Introducing an internship program to engage young professionals and students passionate about disability advocacy, expanding our reach and cultivating future leaders dedicated to building inclusive workplaces. Expanding the Ally Program: Growing our Ally Program to increase awareness, outreach, and training resources for businesses, empowering more companies to adopt disability-inclusive practices. We aim to have over 150 Allies actively supporting WDNBH in five years! These priorities reflect our mission to create a South Dakota where everyone can access meaningful employment and community support. Together, we’re building a more inclusive future! #ForSouthDakota #InclusiveWorkplace #DisabilityInclusion #WDNBH #BetterBottomLine The image shows five small green seedlings sprouting from the soil. The bottom section displays the text 5 Years = 3 Goals with the WDNBH logo and South Dakota Gives with the date Dec 3, 2024, alongside the hashtag #ForSouthDakota.

"I like everything about this internship. I like everything", she said as I asked her how her experience has been thus far with The Accidental Ally ! I was talking to Priya, one of our amazing interns this summer! I start my week not knowing all the answers and usually end my week the same way. But what happens during the week astonishes me, gives me the fuel I need to keep going. The disability inclusion space is filled with the same old narrative of advocacy over action, feeding into stereotypes and investing millions into a model that has failed people with disabilities. I don't have all the answers but what I know is that there is a tremendous untapped talent pool right in front of us. These individuals are eager to learn, excited to work and contribute to the workforce. All we need to do is rise above the noise, shift focus from us to them, listen, learn, understand and act to create pathways for them to enter the workforce. Meet Priya. She is a young woman turning 18 soon. Initially shy, Priya reveals the depth of her personality, the light in her eyes when she smiles, and her impressive ability to learn new skills quickly once you get to know her! Priya has Down syndrome, but what stands out is her articulate nature, confidence, determination, intelligence, and intuition. She can be a tremendous asset to any organization given the right opportunities. We have been doing a huge disservice to people like Priya because we have failed to do the right thing. A friend recently DM'ed me applauding my work, "Your work is incredible and your dedication to this field is truly admirable, so please do not doubt the importance of what you do - the only reason more people don't do it is because it's very difficult and not lucrative." My friend is right. This work is challenging and you don't do it to make money! Most advocates, accessibility professionals and employers attend disability conferences, write "feel good" posts on LinkedIn, and sit on the sidelines talking about how to think about disability inclusion. Precious company resources are drained by teams, initiatives that do not directly and positively impact the lives of people with disabilities. While employers might be able to boast about their ratings as the 'Most desirable place to work', 'Most admired company', 'Best Company to work for', etc these accolades are often meaningless optics. Whether you believe DEI is important or not is immaterial. No one really cares. Until, you take steps towards creating tangible pathways and opportunities. None of it matters until you create pathways for people with disabilities to be financially independent. It all starts and ends with financial independence. A career, financial independence leads to a better quality of life, integration with society, exposure to new experiences and contributes to building a sense of self worth! Hope you enjoy this video of Priya!

Project Search is absolutely one of my ALL time favorite programs we partner with here at Norman Regional…It is truly remarkable to witness the students develop their skills, talents, strengths, and desire to serve others!! #projectsearch #healers #normanregionalhealthsystem

Pride month may be over, but did you know that today starts the first month of Disability Pride Month? Taking into account accessibility is (in my eyes) the most important thing to consider while working on a design. Having my own unique disabilities that I struggle with day-to-day, I strive to put an emphasis on this in my own work. Here's a great little article explaining the origins and meaning behind this flag: https://lnkd.in/e_8wrBK8

For individuals with disabilities: Here’s a list of disability-friendly job boards where you can find your next career opportunity! https://lnkd.in/evaPvsgu #InclusiveHiring #WorkplaceInclusion #DisabilityInclusion #EmploymentEquality #DiversityAndInclusion

Empowering Disabilities in the Creative Industry ?? ?Here at BIMM University we are kicking off National Careers Week with 1-2-1 Disability support within the Creative Industry, hosted by Jessica / YISKA An incredible disabled musician and Accessiblity Consultant. ? On a personal level, there is a lack of awareness for those (like myself) with disabilities. It does not define us, but it does impact our day to day life. ? Reasonable adjustments, advocacy, accessibility and understanding is just a few things that can make people with disabilities feel equal and supported in a work place environment. ?? We did not choose this life, but it doesn’t mean we can’t persue & succeed our dreams. ?? If you have a friend, colleague, family member who is disabled - How can you support them? ?If you are reading this and this resonates to you, know you are not alone, the more we shout, the more we can bring awareness to the Creative Industry.

Last week, I joined an insightful panel discussion on hidden disabilities, hosted by LexisNexis Risk Solutions Women Connected, Employee Resource Group. This event aimed to raise awareness and promote a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by individuals with hidden disabilities. Thank you to Yuliya Lapkovich for inviting Nii A O. and I! ? This experience prompted me to explore the Disability Allyship course, and I’m excited to share my top 3 takeaways: ? 1. Respect Boundaries: Always ask if someone is comfortable discussing their disability. Creating an open, respectful dialogue is key. 2. Foster Independence: Understand that some may decline help as they strive for independence, just like everyone else. 3. Celebrate Diversity: It’s a positive that everyone processes information differently. Embracing diverse thinking styles enriches our workplace and communities. ? I highly recommend the Disability Allyship course to anyone looking to deepen their understanding and support for colleagues and friends with hidden disabilities. It's truly a real eye-opener. ? #DisabilityAwareness #HiddenDisabilities #Inclusion #Diversity #DisabilityAllyship #WorkplaceInclusion