National Disability Institute

Did you know? As of 2023, only 23.1% of people with disabilities are participating in the labor force, compared to 67.3% of people without disabilities (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). These numbers highlight the need for greater access to employment opportunities and inclusive workplaces. At NDI, we’re committed to empowering individuals with disabilities to achieve financial stability through employment and education. Let’s work together to close this gap! Image description: Square teal graphic with white text reading: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2023 the workforce participation rate for people with disabilities was 23.1%, compared to 67.3% for people without disabilities. The NDI logo is in the top right corner. #NationalDisabilityEmploymentAwareness #NDEAM #InclusiveEmployment #InclusionWorks

Registration is now open! The Disability Owned Small Business Convening is your chance to connect with policymakers, financial institutions and fellow business owners with disabilities. Don't miss out on this unique, virtual and free networking opportunity! Register now at https://lnkd.in/gMeNBfEK. Image description: square dark teal graphic with white and light teal text reading: Disability Owned Small Business Convening. November 20-21, 2024. Register Now. The NDI Small Business Hub logo is in the top left corner. Fading into the background of the graphic is a photo of a laptop displaying a zoom call grid view of participants, a latte and an AirPods case on a wood desk surface.

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month! Good jobs change lives and all workers—including disabled workers—deserve the opportunity to prepare for, obtain and thrive in them. No matter the hat you wear, there’s room for everyone at the table. We’ll be sharing information and resources on all things disability employment and #NDEAM all month long. Join us in spreading awareness and creating a more inclusive employment journey for all. Image description: Square teal graphic with white text rounded in a circle reading: National Disability Employment Awareness Month. The NDI logo is centered at the top of the graphic. In the center of the graphic are nine hats representing different occupations: a hard hat, a hard hat with a lamp, a police hat, a surgical cap, a chef's hat, a park ranger hat, a captain hat, a black baseball cap and a graduation cap.

Meet Sarah! Sarah Luczak is the Payments Manager for the American Dream Employment Network (ADEN), a division of National Disability Institute (NDI). She joins the team with two years of experience providing direct services to people with disabilities through SSA’s Ticket to Work program and has nine years of experience in the banking and financial services industry. Sarah is a Community Partner Work Incentives Counselor through Virginia Commonwealth University and earned her Business degree in Finance and Management Information Systems from Ohio University. Outside of work, Sarah enjoys reading, cooking and attending swim meets with her children. Image description: Square teal graphic with white text reading: Meet the Team. Hello, I’m Sarah! Meet NDI ADEN Payments Manager Sarah Luczak. sluczak@ndi-inc.org. https://lnkd.in/eJSHBJGq. There is a photo of Sarah smiling in a navy blouse with a Polaroid frame. Above the photo is the NDI logo.

Welcome to the American Dream Employment Network (ADEN), LINC! LINC is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization governed by people with disabilities for people with disabilities, whose mission is to empower people with disabilities to achieve their desired level of independence. Learn more about ADEN and discover how your organization can become a member at  https://lnkd.in/eJ62hWKG. Image description: Square light teal graphic with white text reading: Welcome New Member! LINC. LINC Mission: Empowering people with disabilities to achieve their desired level of independence. There is a cutout photo of LINC Executive Director Jeremy Maxand smiling in a plaid dress shirt and black jacket. In the top right corner of the graphic are NDI and ADEN logos.

Check out the latest Rise N Shine COABE Podcast Episode featuring NDI Project Manager Doug Keast. Listen in as Doug shares how adult education can help support new U.S. citizens as well as provide greater accessibility for students with disabilities. Check out the episode at https://lnkd.in/eYNJGxbT Image description: Square teal graphic with white text reading: Listen in as Doug shares how adult education can help support new Americans as well as provide greater accessibility for students with disabilities. In the upper left corner is the logo for the Rise N Shine COABE Podcast, to the right of the logo are the words “Featuring Doug!” There is a photo of Doug smiling in a suit in a circular frame. Below the photo is an icon of a music streaming playback menu. In the top right corner of the graphic is the NDI logo. 

Save the date! The 2024 Disability Owned Small Business Convening is just two months away, registration opens October 1st. Learn more about #DisabilityOwned at https://lnkd.in/gg8FkMfn. Image description: Square dark teal graphic with white and light teal text reading: Disability Owned Small Business Convening. November 20-21, 2024. Save the Date! The NDI Small Business Hub logo is in the top left corner. Fading into the background of the graphic is a photo of a woman wearing a white blouse, red headband and ear buds, smiling big and waving hello while looking into her laptop screen.

Meet Marlene! Marlene Ulisky plays a pivotal role at National Disability Institute (NDI) and the ABLE National Resource Center, where she provides expert guidance on complex Social Security Administration (SSA) and other public benefits issues. She has been instrumental in developing best practices at the intersection of ABLE accounts and means-tested benefits, advancing financial independence for individuals with disabilities served by multiple systems. Her pioneering work with ABLE accounts and other public benefits has significantly increased understanding and opportunities for SSA recipients and all individuals with disabilities and contributed to successful outcomes. Before joining NDI, Marlene spent 35 years at SSA, serving in various leadership roles, including Director of the Office of Disability Adjudication and Review in Pittsburgh, and later establishing partnerships in Florida to enhance support for individuals with disabilities. After leaving SSA, she joined Florida’s Office of Vocational Rehabilitation to launch the Partnership Plus Program under Ticket to Work, before being rehired by SSA to assist with critical integrity workloads including Office of Inspector General investigations. Image description: Square teal graphic with white text reading: Meet the Team. Hello, I’m Marlene! Meet NDI Financial Empowerment Manager Marlene Ulisky. mulisky@ndi-inc.org. https://lnkd.in/e7GTSRNf. There is a photo of Marlene wearing a white shirt in a Polaroid frame. The NDI logo is above the photo.

The Federal Reserve is seeking your feedback in this year’s Small Business Credit Survey. Join the thousands of for-profit small businesses who complete the survey to voice what you are experiencing. Survey closes November 1. bit.ly/4e8UX9V Image description: Dark and light blue graphic with white text reading: Respond Now! Small Business Credit Survey. Federal Reserve Banks of Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Kansas City, Minneapolis, New York, Philadelphia, Richmond, St. Louis and San Francisco. The U.S. Federal Reserve logo is in the bottom left corner. In the middle of the graphic are photos in geometric frames of two people working together, a closeup of documents and a row of city buildings. #SmallBusinessCreditSurvey #SmallBusiness #FederalReserve

This insightful article via SHRM highlights the importance of hiring people with disabilities and shares the story of John’s Crazy Socks, a N.Y.-based business where roughly 65% of employees have a disability. Founder Mark Cronin says hiring people with disabilities is important to him because of the challenges his son faced finding work, adding that employing people with disabilities—in his son’s case, with intellectual disabilities—is not an act of charity. Read the full story at bit.ly/3ZfYbV3. Image description: Square teal graphic with white text reading: Opening Doors: Recruiting Workers with Disabilities for Business Success. The NDI logo is centered above the text. Fading into the background is a photo of John and Mark Cronin in front of a display of John’s Crazy Socks.