Inclusion

The LEAD Center recently released the latest issue of the LEAD On! Newsletter titled “Good Jobs and Competitive Integrated Employment: Strategies for Success.” Various federal departments, including the Departments of Labor, Transportation, Energy and Commerce, rallied around the Investing in America (IIA) agenda, which has created access to good jobs for all America’s workers, including those with disabilities. This newsletter features several resources from the ODEP-funded LEAD Center to promote Good Jobs as Competitive Integrated Employment, including a recently released fact sheet.

The National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) recently announced the release of the final Sunstorm Story for 2023. In collaboration with Foundations for Divergent Minds, Seeded Ground, and the John Hopkins’ Disability Health Research Center, Sunstorm Stories are a collection of short narrative videos that reflect on Covid’s lingering impact on the disability community, particularly those who are also Black, Indigenous, and other Leaders of Color. Throughout the series, featured storytellers offer messages of solidarity while also urging medical professionals to meaningfully improve inclusion, enhance access, and prevent discriminatory treatment.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Office of Disability Integration and Coordination (ODIC) recently celebrated International Day of Persons with Disabilities by releasing a new version of their training course titled “Including People with Disabilities in Disaster Operations.” This course replaces the previous version of IS:368 released in 2012. The course is designed for all personnel involved in disaster operations. It provides an introductory overview of information and strategies on how to include people with disabilities during mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery efforts....

Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month is observed every March to hightlight diversity, raise awareness about inclusion, and strengthen communities. The National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD) has announced the theme for March 2022 as "Worlds Imagined," to emphasize intersectionality and encourage exploration and collaboration among the community.

The National Paralysis Resource Center has launched a new partnership with Kakana, an accessible fitness platform, to offer free adaptive fitness opportunities to people living with paralysis. Kakana is designed to provide inclusive and accessible workouts for individuals of all abilities and includes fitness instructors with disabilities to guide the sessions.

The U.S. Department of Labor is seeking input on ideas for ensuring equity in employment policies and programs for people with disabilities from historically underserved communities. Your feedback will be used to identify solutions for overcoming barriers to employment for people with disabilities from diverse backgrounds, communities, and identities. It will also inform future programs and funding opportunities that equitably deliver employment services and supports to all.

The National Council on Independent Living is seeking proposals for their Liberty, Independence, Freedom, and Equity themed 2021 conference. NCIL seeks workshops in the following tracks: Advocacy & Policy work, Independent Living 101, Core Services, Inclusion/Intersectional work, SILC. The submission deadline in March 28th 2021.

The National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth (NCWD/Youth) announced the release of two new publications about employment, transition, and education for youth with disabilities. The publications are: "By Youth, for Youth: Employment," and "Supporting Families of Students with Disabilities in Postsecondary Education: Learning from the Voices of Families."