Alliance Formed to Promote Workplace Diversity
(The following article appears on the National Disability Employment Month website. NTI is publishing a series of articles this month)
The U.S. Department of Labor announced an alliance with the American Association for Access, Equity, and Diversity to promote the inclusion of people with disabilities in the national organization’s workplace equity efforts.
Established by the department’s Office of Disability Employment Policy, the three-year alliance will include a range of collaborative activities and provide tools and information for the organization’s members to advance the inclusion of people with disabilities in America’s workforce.
“Disability is an important component to pursuing workplace diversity, equity, and inclusion. The American Association for Access, Equity and Diversity has a long history of supporting dedicated professionals whose work advances these goals in our nation’s workplaces,” said Office of Disability Employment Policy Deputy Assistant Secretary Jennifer Sheehy. “The organization joins our growing list of alliance partners who are determined to rebuild our economy equitably so that all people – including people with disabilities and others from historically marginalized communities – share in the benefits of our nation’s recovery.”
Founded in 1974, the non-profit American Association for Access, Equity and Diversity is the longest-standing national organization of equal opportunity professionals engaged in leading, directing, and managing affirmative action, equal opportunity, diversity, and other human resource programs.
“The members of the American Association for Access, Equity and Diversity are equal opportunity professionals in colleges and universities, private industry and government who understand and embrace the value of promoting access, equity and diversity for all employees, including individuals with disabilities,” said AAAED President Dr. Richard Anthony Baker. “Our organization and its members stand ready to partner with the U.S. Department of Labor and its Office of Disability Employment Policy.”
ODEP, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, is the only non-regulatory federal agency that promotes policies and coordinates with employers and all levels of government to increase workplace success for people with disabilities. Its alliance initiative enables organizations to work with the agency to develop and implement model policies and initiatives that increase the recruitment, hiring, retention, and career advancement of people with disabilities.
(As part of October’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), NTI is taking part in “America’s Recovery: Powered by Inclusion” theme to ensure Americans with disabilities are a major part of the national recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Every October, NDEAM celebrates the contributions people with disabilities have made to America’s workforce and the economy. If you are an American with disabilities looking for an at-home job, you can register for free at www.ntiathome.org for training and job placement services.)
“Disability is an important component to pursuing workplace diversity, equity, and inclusion."