American Association of People with Disabilities’ Post

You cannot say you care about DEI and: • all the people on your staff come from the same elite universities • you have unpaid internships • you don’t hire people with work experience from developing countries • your board/senior management looks like the cast of Suits (one token black person but otherwise all white men) • the first people you fire are your DEI officers when faced with budget cuts •you only have seminars on LGBTQI inclusion during pride month • you only have seminars on black/African people inclusion when it’s Black history month AND THEN proceed to serve chicken and watermelon at lunch! Huh?? (Yes this really happened 😭😭) • you say that you make accommodations during your recruitment process but you proceed to give the most neuronormartive standardized test with no allocations for extra time Let’s please all be for real. We already know that we cannot build inclusive structures and systems on the proverbial sand. We have to first unlearn our unconscious biases and weed them out root and stem. This is the only way we can create true societal equality.

For #NAW2023, today is focused on Expanding Registered Apprenticeship to Underserved Populations. Underserved populations refer to groups of people who have limited access to resources, opportunities, and services, often due to various social, economic, or geographical factors. These populations may face barriers that hinder their ability to find opportunities for employment and careers. Registered Apprenticeship helps break down barriers for individuals from marginalized communities, including but not limited to ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, and veterans. Apprenticeship programs focus on eliminating the barriers to entry in order to promote greater diversity and inclusion in a variety of careers and industries. Accessing talent from a greater range of workers provides perspectives, efficiencies, and advantages that only a diverse workforce can offer. Let us help you and your business participate in this movement to provide more diversity, equity, and inclusion in apprenticeship. If you are an organization looking to elevate your workforce development strategy, let’s chat. Our team of expert consultants helps organizations utilize the power of Registered Apprenticeship. Visit our website at https://buff.ly/45d5PPi to learn more information. Follow us to keep updated on industry news, tips, and our latest offerings. #apprenticeship #leadershipdevelopment #hr #workforcedevelopment #manufacturing #business #hiring #ApprenticeshipUSA

FOR YOUR INFORMATION: Creating Your Best Fit College List To create a best fit college list start by researching colleges online, going to college fairs, (in person or virtually), and speaking to college representatives that visit your high school. It is tremendously valuable to visit colleges and attend their information sessions and tours to have your own first-hand experience of the campuses. This also shows demonstrated interest that is tracked by many schools. To create your list it is vital to review and assess your short and long-term academic goals and career interests. Explore each college’s potential major(s) and minor(s). Identify college programs for unique situations such as three/two engineering programs, five year BA/MA programs, or colleges that offer additional educational support services Check to make sure the colleges on your list have other important offerings such as sports or Greek life; activities and clubs in your areas of interest such as politics, LGBTQ advocacy, creative outlets or community service; and that the colleges offer options important to you, such as internship opportunities, study abroad, housing or dining requirements. Your final college list should include reach, target and likely options. For more information go to www.collegedocs.com. #collegedocs #bigfuture #bestfitcolleges #collegeplanning #collegevisits #commonapp #commonappessay #collegesearch #collegeadmissions #collegeadmissionsconsultant #educationalconsultant

FOR YOUR INFORMATION: Creating Your Best Fit College List To create a best fit college list start by researching colleges online, going to college fairs, (in person or virtually), and speaking to college representatives that visit your high school. It is tremendously valuable to visit colleges and attend their information sessions and tours to have your own first-hand experience of the campuses. This also shows demonstrated interest that is tracked by many schools. To create your list it is vital to review and assess your short and long-term academic goals and career interests. Explore each college’s potential major(s) and minor(s). Identify college programs for unique situations such as three/two engineering programs, five year BA/MA programs, or colleges that offer additional educational support services Check to make sure the colleges on your list have other important offerings such as sports or Greek life; activities and clubs in your areas of interest such as politics, LGBTQ advocacy, creative outlets or community service; and that the colleges offer options important to you, such as internship opportunities, study abroad, housing or dining requirements. Your final college list should include reach, target and likely options. For more information go to www.collegedocs.com. #collegedocs #bigfuture #bestfitcolleges #collegeplanning #collegevisits #commonapp #commonappessay #collegesearch #collegeadmissions #collegeadmissionsconsultant #educationalconsultant

We need strong measures to make sure that the situation and needs of persons belonging to one or more vulnerable groups are taken into account in the design and delivery of apprenticeships, to achieve equality, diversity and social inclusion! 🎓 👩🎓👨🎓 Gender balance is key in every aspect of apprenticeships. By ensuring equal access to training opportunities, we can break the cycle of gender segregation in the job market. 📜ILO Recommendation 208 emphasizes the importance of promoting, developing, and delivering high-quality apprenticeships that prioritize these principles, providing the best learning environments for everyone. 🌎It is time to build a more resilient society with #QualityApprenticeship for all. #R208 #ILO #DecentWork #YouthEmployment

During #BlackHistoryMonth, we take a moment to reflect on the ongoing journey toward racial justice and recognize the crucial role we all play in creating a more equitable society.   In our latest blog, we share the remarkable partnership between Triple Point and the 10,000 Black Interns program. Their journey underscores the immense transformative power that arises when businesses champion #DiversityAndInclusion.   Learn more – https://lnkd.in/ewJmrZ48   #blackhistorymonth #InclusiveBusiness #DiversityAndInclusion

Community Bridges is honored that the "Bridging Pathways: The I/DD Peer Mentorship Initiative" is featured in the most recent issue of the National Leadership Consortium Bulletin, "Leading Anti-Ableist Efforts." The Bridging Pathways Intiatitive is a pioneering effort that offers a holistic approach to developing and growing the utilization of Peer Mentoring for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in North Carolina. In partnership with the NC DIVISION OF VOCATIONAL REHAB and the North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities, we aim to empower individuals, organizations, and the I/DD system through a blend of comprehensive training, practical internships, and collaborative partnerships. Focused on real-world applications and professional development, this initiative represents a significant step toward inclusivity and empowerment of the I/DD workforce. Being anti-ableist involves actively addressing and reducing implicit bias and discrimination against people with disabilities. This issue presents a variety of perspectives on ableism and anti-ableist practices, contributed by individuals with lived experiences and those working alongside them. 📄 Click the PDF below to learn how the Bridging Pathways Initiative is reshaping norms in anti-ableism efforts and empowering those with disabilities to assume professional and expert roles. 📄 #InclusionMatters #CommunityBridges #AntiAbleism #LeadershipInAction #DisabilityRights #Medicaid #IDD #Disabilities

While working for the March of Dimes in 2016, I had a parent of a child with an intellectual disability ask me, "What will happen after my child turns 18?" At the time, I didn't have an answer. Since then, I have learned that children with an intellectual or developmental disability can defer their high school diploma until the age of 22. Fast forward eight years, and this is still a major concern. Now living in Palm Beach County, Florida, there is still an urgent need for the 30,000 students with disabilities to transition from school to independent living. These individuals deserve the same opportunities we have all been afforded for a dignified life of employment. The challenge is that these individuals have few opportunities to learn how to become working adults. One of the reasons I chose to work for Gulfstream Goodwill is that we have a Career Academy that offers an answer to this need. Our curriculum focuses on independent living skills and employment readiness and provides a paid internship. Community partners are amazed by our students' positive impact on their organizations. Many of our students are offered employment after they graduate. We provide individuals with disabilities the training, confidence, and motivation to become self-sufficient adults who make meaningful contributions to their communities. If you are interested in this topic or want to learn more about how your company can become our partner, please contact me for more information. #PEOPLEWITHDISABILITIESMATTER #Inclusion #DisabilityAwareness #CareerDevelopment #IndependentLiving #EmploymentOpportunities #GulfstreamGoodwill #CommunityImpact #Empowerment #PalmBeachCounty

Five positive actions to help create an inclusive workplace for disabled people, including those who are deaf or hard of hearing. 1. Provide vocational training opportunities specifically designed for disabled people to enhance their skills and employability. 2. Implement work trials or internships to give disabled candidates practical experience and assess their suitability for a role. 3. Identify and remove any barriers that may prevent disabled applicants from participating fully in the recruitment process. 4. Guarantee interviews for all applicants with a disability who meet the minimum criteria for the job. 5. Consider ring-fencing certain positions specifically for disabled people to promote representation and inclusion. We can advise you on the available support and how to access it. Contact our employer advice line by emailing information@equalityni.org or calling 028 90 500 600 (Mon-Fri). You can learn more about positive action to recruit people with disabilities here 👇 https://lnkd.in/ej-zCDTV #DeafAwarenessWeek

🌟 Celebrating Progress and Equality 🌟 As we observe both Scottish Modern Apprenticeship Week and International Women's Day, it's vital to highlight the strides made towards inclusivity and equality in the workforce. These occasions serve as powerful reminders of the importance of empowering individuals from all backgrounds and genders to thrive in their careers. At GP Strategies, we're proud to lead the charge towards a more equitable future. With a remarkable statistic of 46% female to 40.9% male representation in our apprenticeships, including pivotal roles in the technology sector, we're driving meaningful change where it's needed most. Scottish Modern Apprenticeship Week celebrates the invaluable contributions of apprenticeships to our economy and society. It's a time to recognise the dedication and hard work of apprentices across various industries, paving the way for a skilled workforce of tomorrow. Simultaneously, International Women's Day serves as a global platform to advocate for gender equality and celebrate the achievements of women worldwide. It's a reminder that diversity isn't just a buzzword – it's a fundamental pillar of success and progress. By combining the spirit of both these occasions, we reinforce our commitment to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone has the opportunity to excel, regardless of gender or background. Together, let's continue championing diversity, breaking barriers, and creating a brighter, more equitable future for all. #ScottishModernApprenticeshipWeek #InternationalWomensDay #DiversityandInclusion #Equality #GPStrategies #Empowerment #Innovation