Joni and Friends’ Post

On this International Day of Persons with Disabilities, it’s crucial to highlight the importance of human rights and inclusive practices. Every individual deserves the opportunity to participate fully in society, free from barriers and discrimination. By embracing inclusive practices and advocating for the rights of persons with disabilities, we can create a more equitable and just world for everyone. Let’s continue to champion these values in our communities and workplaces. #IDPD #HumanRights #Inclusion #DisabilityRights

"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). As a wheelchair user with cerebral palsy and ADHD, laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) made it possible for me to receive an education alongside my able-bodied and neurotypical peers. If it weren't for those laws, my education and career path would have been incredibly different. I wouldn't have graduated from college in 2019, and I wouldn't be a freelancer today. Laws like the ADA and IDEA saved me from needing to attend college for an extra semester so I could take one required class, which made it possible for me to start my career right before the pandemic, lose my internship because of COVID lockdowns, and ultimately start freelancing to keep myself busy while I helped to "flatten the curve." You can read about how the ADA helped me become a freelancer in my article, "Without the Americans with Disabilities Act, I Might Not Be a Freelancer," Link in the comments. Happy National Disability Employment Awareness Month! 👩🏽🦼

I have finally put my English GCSE's to use... She's a blogger! (But not the Zoella kind) ❎ As part of my projects, for my apprenticeship, I have devised a blog post on how to; → Create an inclusive community 🌞 → Treat disabled people with respect 🌻 → Support disabled people 🤝 Have a minute and want to support me? Or simply Interested in the topic? Read the whole article here: https://lnkd.in/eT6rTU94 Thankyou, Aimee 👩💻 #blog #inclusivity #disabilityawareness #disabilities #marketingapprentice #apprentice

Happy (belated) ThursDEI from everyone on the DEI team!! This week (17th-23rd June) is Learning Disability Week, organized by the charity Mencap. Learning Disability Week occurs on the third week of June every year, and emphasizes the importance of recognizing and valuing individuals with learning disabilities. The theme of Learning Disability Week this year is "Do you see me?" which is about challenging the barriers that people with learning disabilities face. Mencap defines a learning disability as: "a reduced intellectual ability and difficulty with everyday activities – for example household tasks, socialising or managing money – which affects someone for their whole life." Right now, there are 870,000 working age adults in the UK with a learning disability. 26.7% of adults with a learning disability are employed. Compared to the 86% which say they want a paid job. National Grid works to help students and young adults with learning disabilities/SEND through supported internships on the EmployAbility scheme, which is currently in its 11th year of running! Supported internships are a critical solution in the transition from education to working for people with learning difficulties, over 50% of individuals on the EmployAbility scheme have gone on to achieve paid employment. To build the workforce of tomorrow at National Grid, we must work toward an equitable future where barriers are removed and diversity is embraced. Happy Learning Disability week! Lisa Waterhouse Rimi Bassi Emma Taylor Hayley Creighton Tim Riecken

🌍 International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2024 Today, we’re celebrating the progress and commitment of our anchor organisations in fostering inclusive workplaces that empower individuals with disabilities to succeed. By making changes to organisational culture, policies, training, and recruitment practices, people with disabilities and/or Special Educational Needs & Disabilities (SEND) can excel in their chosen careers. The University of London is a proud member of the London Anchor Institutions' Network (LAIN), with our Vice-Chancellor, Professor Wendy Thomson CBE, serving as Co-Chair. 📖 Discover More: 🔸Read a thought-provoking blog by EDI & Culture Advisor, Verity Ayling-Smith, on the business case for inclusion - https://bit.ly/4g1n3VZ 🔸Watch Nikita’s inspiring story about how a supported internship helped her gain the confidence and independence to succeed. - https://bit.ly/49hCG96 📅 Upcoming Event: LAIN is hosting a webinar on Workforce Disability Data on 30 January 2025 (1–1:45 pm). This session is tailored for professionals in HR, EDI, staff disability networks, and anyone interested in learning how disability data collection can help close disability pay gaps. To register, email anchors@london.gov.uk. #UniversityofLondon #DiversityAndInclusion

🌟 Celebrating Persons with Disabilities Month: Advancing Inclusion and Health Equity 🌟 December is Persons with Disabilities Month, a time to honor the contributions, resilience, and achievements of individuals with disabilities. It’s also a call to action to address the persistent health disparities faced by people with disabilities and to build a more inclusive, accessible world. People with disabilities often experience unequal access to healthcare, preventive services, and support, leading to poorer health outcomes. This month, let’s recognize that equity in healthcare is just as important as equity in education, employment, and accessibility. Here’s how we can make a difference: - Promote Accessible Healthcare: Advocate for healthcare environments that accommodate all needs, including physical, sensory, and cognitive accessibility. - Address Health Disparities: Support policies and initiatives that reduce health inequities for persons with disabilities. - Foster Awareness: Educate ourselves and others on the intersection of disability and health equity to challenge stigma and promote understanding. Engender Inclusion: Amplify diverse disability perspectives by including and allowing disability narratives to lead discussions and shape policy. Think “nothing about us, without us” championed by Chicago author and disability rights activist, James I. Charlton. If you or someone you know needs support, Lake County Center for Independent Living offers transition services to adults who want to live independently in their homes in the community and youth who seek a fully productive, independent life as they transition into adulthood. Dial 211 to connect with local resources, including healthcare services, disability support, and community programs. Help is available, and accessing it is a vital step toward health and well-being. Together, we can work toward a future where everyone, regardless of ability, has access to the care, resources, and opportunities they need to thrive. Inclusion and health equity benefit us all. #PersonsWithDisabilitiesMonth #DisabilityInclusion #HealthEquity #AccessibilityMatters #BreakTheStigma #EquityAndInclusion #HealthDisparities #211 #CommunitySupport #AdvocateForChange

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.

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (#NDEAM). A large number of individuals with disabilities who are qualified, willing, and able to work still face significant barriers to employment. In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, only 36% of the people ages 16 to 64 who have a disability are in the workforce, compared to 75% of Americans in the same age group without a disability.   As a U.S. Department of Labor Cyber and Tech Industry Intermediary and Registered #Apprenticehship program sponsor (https://lnkd.in/ePHp3HX), Safal helps employer partners understand how to create accessible work environments that increase their ability to expand their hiring pool by bringing on people with disabilities. For example, our partner, NPower’s social support managers' connect participants with vital resources, such as GoodTemps and Goodwill Industries International, which provide vocational rehabilitation services and practical supports for individuals with disabilities. We also connect partners to their local #workforce development boards and vocational rehabilitation agencies to access funding, supportive services, and help recruiting individuals with disabilities.   We’re proud to champion our employer partners who are expanding registered apprenticeship opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Visit our website to learn more. https://lnkd.in/g98RUum2