Register: July 8th Webinar Celebrating the ADA: How Assistive Technology (AT) Supports Daily Life and Work

Celebrating the ADA: How Assistive Technology (AT) Supports Daily Life and Work

Tuesday, July 8th, 2025

3:00 PM EDT – 4:30 PM EDT

REGISTER: Register for Webinar on July 8: Celebrating the ADA: How AT Supports Daily Life and Work(link is external)

Web / Online

 

Join the Disability Employment Technical Assistance Center (DETAC) for a special webinar in honor of the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), with a focus on how technology is shaping the future of accessibility.

The ADA affirms a simple but powerful principle: individuals with disabilities who want to work should be able to work. In today’s fast-paced, technology-driven world, there have been advancements made with tools to increase accessibility. At the same time, there are basic assistive technology (AT) tools that continue to be overlooked as a solution.

The webinar panel from the Assistive Technology Act Technical Assistance and Training Center (AT3 Center) will focus on increasing access to and acquisition of AT tools across the lifespan. The panel will share examples of how AT is a critical bridge to helping break down barriers and provide innovative approaches for one to be more independent within the workplace and the broader community.

Registrants can note accommodation needs, such as captioning or sign language, on the registration page. The webinar will be live captioned (with Spanish machine translations) and have ASL interpretation available.

Webinars are recorded and posted with supporting materials on the DETAC website at: aoddisabilityemploymenttacenter.com

The Disability Employment Technical Assistance Center is funded by the Administration for Community Living (ACL) to provide evidence-based training and technical assistance to Administration on Disabilities grantees for improving competitive integrated employment and economic outcomes for individuals with disabilities across the nation.

Cost of Event:  Free

Registration Requirement: Required

Register for Webinar on July 8: Celebrating the ADA: How AT Supports Daily Life and Work(link is external)

For More Information on This Event: 

Register for Webinar on July 8: Celebrating the ADA: How AT Supports Daily Life and Work(link is external)

Sponsoring Organization(s) of Event: 

Disability Employment Technical Assistance Center (DETAC)

Audience(s): 

  • Architects/Contractors
  • Business
  • Employer
  • People with Disabilities
  • State and Local Government

Topic: 

  • ADA Anniversary

Webinar June 25th 1-2:30PM ET – Top 5 Things to Know About Aging in America – Alliance For Heath Policy

WEBINAR:
Top 5 Things to Know About Aging in America 
Insights for the Health Policy Community
Wednesday, June 25 from 1:00-2:30 p.m. ET

Register for the webinar

What to expect from the webinar: 

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the many programs and resources tied to aging, you’re not alone. 
This webinar will help you understand the four foundational policies identified by Alliance experts—Medicare, Medicaid, the Social Security Administration (SSA), and the Older Americans Act (OAA)—that have the greatest impact on aging populations.
Our panel of experts will share their go-to resources for understanding and staying up to date on the key aging policies (and why these policies matter). Speakers will also highlight innovations and emerging models from across the country that offer a glimpse into the future of aging policy. 


This free, nonpartisan webinar is open to the public and designed to give policymakers, staffers, advocates, and curious minds the tools to engage more meaningfully with the policies shaping aging in America.
This webinar was made possible thanks to 2025 Signature Series Champion Sponsors Elevance Health, GSK, and Kaiser Permanente. 

Register for the webinar

Webinar speakers:

Rob Lott - Edited
Rob Lott (Moderator)Senior Deputy Editor, Health Affairs
Tricia Neuman - Edited
Tricia NeumanSenior Vice President, Executive Director for Program on Medicare Policy, KFF
Rebecca Vallas - Edited
Rebecca VallasCEO, National Academy of Social Insurance
Abby Cox - Edited
Abby CoxSenior Director of Aging Policy, Advancing States

About the Alliance’s Signature Series: 

For the past decade, the Signature Series has been the Alliance for Health Policy’s flagship annual program that brings together cross-sector experts to examine the most challenging issues in health policy. Each year, the Series uncovers key insights and translates them into accessible, nonpartisan education for policymakers and the public.

The 2025 Signature Series on “Aging in America” brings together the best and brightest minds from across the health care and policy landscape to examine how our system measures up to the needs of an aging population, and how we can best educate policymakers to be ready to take on the challenge. Events include a thought leader workshop, webinar, public summit, and congressional briefing. 

Center for Disability Empowerment Launches Nationwide Search for New Executive Director – Deadline June 13

The Center for Disability Empowerment Launches Search for New Executive Director

COLUMBUS, OH — The Center for Disability Empowerment (CDE) announced the launch of a nationwide search for its next Executive Director. As a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting independent living and equal opportunities for individuals with disabilities, CDE seeks a dynamic, visionary leader to guide its mission into the future. 

Founded on the principles of the Independent Living Movement, CDE has served as a vital resource and advocate for people with disabilities in Central Ohio and beyond. The incoming Executive Director will play a pivotal role in shaping the organization’s strategic direction, cultivating partnerships, securing funding, and amplifying the voices of the disability community. 

“The CDE Board of Directors is incredibly proud of the impactful work Sue has done with the agency and wish her a joyful and well-deserved retirement,” said Courtney Kimbrough, President of the Board of Directors. “We also look forward with great excitement to the future as we begin the search for our next Executive Director.” 

The ideal candidate will bring a strong commitment to disability justice, demonstrated leadership in nonprofit or public service sectors, and experience in organizational management, advocacy, and community engagement. Lived experience with disability is strongly encouraged and valued. 

CDE invites qualified candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply. The search is being conducted in by the Center for Disability’s Board of Directors. Interested individuals can apply by sending a cover letter and resume to CDE_HR@disabilityempowerment.net. 

As CDE embarks on this next chapter, the organization remains steadfast in its mission: to ensure that people with disabilities have the tools, resources, and support to live independently and participate fully in their communities. 

About the Center for Disability Empowerment
The Center for Disability Empowerment is a community-based, nonprofit organization operated by and for people with disabilities. CDE is dedicated to empowering individuals with disabilities to lead self-directed lives, advocate for their rights, and participate fully in society. 

Job Posting Announcement: Executive Director at the Center for Disability Empowerment (CDE) 

Location: Columbus, Ohio 

The Center for Disability Empowerment (CDE) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the independence and quality of life for individuals with disabilities. Our mission is to advocate for disability rights, promote independence, and create positive change in the lives of individuals and their communities. CDE works to ensure that people with disabilities have access to the resources and support they need to thrive. We are looking for an Executive Director to lead our dynamic team and help us continue our vital work in the community. 

The Executive Director position offers a salary of up to $80,000 per year based on experience, with paid holidays annually and a generous amount of sick and vacation time. Lived experience with disability is a required qualification. Interviews will take place in June and July, with the position set to begin on October 1. 

Key Responsibilities:

1. Leadership and Collaboration with the Board of Directors

  • Ensure that CDE consistently operates in alignment with its mission and vision.
  • Foster a productive partnership with the Board of Directors to strengthen CDE’s capacity and impact.
  • Keep the Board fully informed about organizational performance, key issues, and external opportunities.
  • Collaborate with the Board to annually review and adjust the strategic plan.
  • Attend all board meetings unless otherwise directed.

2. Operational Management and Team Leadership

  • Cultivate strong, collaborative relationships with vendors, community partners, funders and individual donors.
  • Oversee negotiations with contractors and external partners.
  • Manage and empower CDE’s staff, creating an inclusive and respectful workplace that reflects diverse cultural values.
  • Monitor the quality of all programs and services to ensure they align with CDE’s mission and are achieving high levels of client satisfaction.
  • Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations regarding operations and records.

3. Financial Stewardship and Fundraising

  • Lead the development of the annual budget in collaboration with Board committees.
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with public and private funders.
  • Identify and lead the development of new funding proposals and opportunities.
  • Ensure that the required funding reporting practices and deadlines are being followed.
  • Ensure that financial controls are in place, and CDE complies with nonprofit accounting and reporting standards.
  • Oversee the branding and marketing strategies to enhance CDE’s public presence.

4. Advocacy and Public Engagement

  • Build and maintain relationships with local, state and national disability advocacy organizations.
  • Strengthen and expand CDE’s reputation as a leader in Independent Living and disability advocacy across targeted regions (Franklin, Delaware, Union and Licking, Ohio counties).
  • Lead the development and coordination of events, workshops, publications and the agency website.
  • Serve as the primary spokesperson for CDE, advocating for its mission and values.

Education and Experience

  • Required: Lived experience with disability.
  • Bachelor’s Degree (or equivalent experience) in Nonprofit Management, Business Administration, Social Services or related field.
  • Minimum of 5 years of senior leadership experience in nonprofit management, with proven success in strategic planning, operations, and staff development.
  • Entrepreneurial mindset with innovative approach to business planning and program development.

Additional Qualifications

  • Experience working with and reporting to a Board of Directors
  • Proven leadership in fundraising, including grant writing and donor relations
  • Excellent public speaking and advocacy skills
  • A deep understanding of the Independent Living philosophy and Disability Social justice principles

Interested candidates should send their resume and cover letter to CDE_HR@disabilityempowerment.net  by June 13th, 2025. 

http://www.disabilityempowerment.net/about-us/execpost

http://www.disabilityempowerment.net

Webinar: May 27th 1PM ET: National Park Service – NPS.gov Media Player: An Accessible Option for All Government

May 27, 2025 – The NPS.gov Media Player: An Accessible Option for All Government

Section 508 Best Practices The NPS.gov Media Player: An Accessible Option for All Government

Tuesday, May 27th 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM Eastern Time Zone

REGISTER FOR SESSION: https://accessibilityonline.org/cioc-508/schedule/login?r=session_members

Description

The Revised Section 508 Standards include a requirement (503.4) where a digital product displays video with synchronized audio, the product shall provide user controls for closed captions and audio descriptions at the same menu level as the user controls for volume or program selection. The National Park Service (NPS) within the Department of the Interior (DOI) has developed an open-source media player which conforms with the Revised Section 508 Standard for user controls by ensuring that the caption control (CC) and audio description control (AD) buttons are visible along-side the other user controls.

Over several years, the National Park Service has customized a media player which aims to be as accessible as possible. It supports multi-track audio and video, allowing a user to toggle between standard, described, and American Sign Language versions of a single video; it supports captioning in over 10 languages; and has been through several rounds of user testing with people who are blind / low vision. The code for this player is available on GitHub.

Questions can be submitted in advance of the session or can be posed during the live webinar.

Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) and real-time captioning will be provided.

Continuing Education Recognition Available
Certificate Credit hours:
ACTCP 1.5 hours
Certificate of Attendance 1.5 hours

Speakers:
Alex Lindeman, IT Specialist, Section 508 Program Coordinator, National Park Service

Sid Sharma, Section 508 Program Manager, Department of the Interior

Questions for presenters:

  1. 1. You say the media player complies with Section 508, which means it is conformant with WCAG 2.0 AA. Does it meet any of the additional WCAG 2.1 and 2.2 success criteria? 2. Can you please share the link to the project on GitHub, ideally before the webinar. I have searched for it but cannot find it.
  2. Is the media player available for others to use, such as non-profit organizations?
  3. Is the media player available for others to use, such as non-profit organizations?

Privacy Statement

In order to register for this webinar you will need to create an account and provide, at a minimum, your name, email address, phone number, city, and country. If you do not wish to create an account, you may watch this webinar after it has been recorded. Webinars are typically posted 2 days after the live session. You can access our previously recorded webinars at this link. Be advised that in order to obtain continuing education credits you must register and create an account. See Continuing Education Recognition Request Policy.

REGISTER FOR SESSION: https://accessibilityonline.org/cioc-508/schedule/login?r=session_members

OOD Hosts Workplace Inclusion Webinar Series Supporting Ohioans with Disabilities

(COLUMBUS, OH)—Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) Director Kevin L. Miller announced OOD’s new webinar series for 2025, which aims to foster both community and workplace inclusion for Ohioans with disabilities.

“Everyone has a role to play in making sure people with disabilities are welcomed and supported in our communities and workplaces,” said Governor DeWine. “This year’s webinar series is another step forward in our ongoing efforts in Ohio to promote inclusion and accessibility, and to empower all people to reach their full, God-given potential.”

“We invite you to join us for valuable insights on how to create communities and workplaces that are not only accessible but also embrace individuals with disabilities,” said Director Miller. “The series culminates with three webinars designed to equip employers with the tools they need to foster disability-inclusive workplaces.”

Webinar Schedule

  • January 15: Accessible Communications
  • February 19: Website Accessibility
  • March 19: Utilizing ADA Tools
  • April 17: All About Service Animals
  • May 21: Technology in the Workplace
  • June 18: Safety and Emergency Management
  • July 16: All About Sensory Inclusion
  • September 17: Disability-Inclusive Workplaces: Inclusive Leadership
  • October 22: Disability-Inclusive Workplaces: Attracting Diverse Talent
  • November 20: Disability-Inclusive Workplaces: Retaining Diverse Talent

All webinars begin at 10 a.m. and will be Microsoft Teams webinars.

LINK TO REGISTER FOR WEBINARS: https://ood.ohio.gov/information-for-employers/employer-events/all-events

Each webinar will be recorded and archived for future viewing. More information and registration links to all upcoming webinars can be found at Employer Events. People who participate in these webinars can earn professional development credits. More information is included below.

The no-cost webinar series marks the latest example of the administration’s commitment to making Ohio a national leader in accessibility.

Moments after taking the oath of office, one of Governor DeWine’s first actions was signing an executive order establishing Ohio as a Disability Inclusion State and Model Employer of Individuals with Disabilities.

Under Governor DeWine’s leadership, OOD also launched Accessible Ohio. Through this initiative, Accessible Ohio Specialists work directly with communities, businesses, and other local partners to identify opportunities to enhance accessibility.

Accessible Ohio is one of many ways OOD supports and promotes businesses that prioritize inclusivity. OOD offers a bevy of information for employers, including an Inclusive Employer Toolkit designed to help employers recruit, hire, and retain employees with disabilities and foster an inclusive workplace.

OOD also recently awarded its annual Governor’s Inclusive Employer Award, which serves as an opportunity to spotlight businesses in Ohio that go above and beyond in supporting individuals with disabilities in the workplace.

Webinar Credit Information

HRCI 2025 logo recertification provider.Each webinar has been approved for 1.00 HR (General) re-certification credit hour toward aPHR™, aPHRi™, PHR®, PHRca®, SPHR®, GPHR®, PHRi™ and SPHRi™ re-certification through HR Certification Institute® (HRCI®) and 1.00 SHRM Professional Development Credit (PDC) hour toward SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP®. While this training is not pre-approved for CESP Continuing Education (CE) credit, it aligns with CESP content, and verification of attendance will be provided upon request. These credits are available for attendees of the live broadcast.

NOON TODAY: National Trends in Disability Employment (or nTIDE) Lunch & Learn series 12/06/24

REGISTER: https://unh.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Lz_sZg77TGuMCNXhofsSxQ#/registration

Free | Online | Contact

National Trends in Disability Employment (or nTIDE) Lunch & Learn series — first Friday of every month, corresponding with the Bureau of Labor Statistics jobs report — live broadcast via Zoom Webinar to share the results of the latest nTIDE — Plus news and updates from the field of Disability Employment, as well as host an invited panelist who will discuss current disability related findings and events.

  • 12:00 pm: Introduction & Welcome
    Andrew Houtenville, University of New Hampshire
  • 12:10 pm: Overview of National Trends in Disability Employment (nTIDE) Jobs Report
    • Release John O’Neill, Kessler Foundation
    • The Numbers Andrew Houtenville, University of New Hampshire
  • 12:15 pm: Announcements from the field of Disability Employment
    Denise Rozell, Director of Policy Innovation, AUCD
  • 12:30 pm: Guest Presenters
  • 12:45 pm: Open Question & Answer period for attendees

Note. All webinars will be recorded and closed captioned and will be added to our website archives along with full transcripts following the live broadcast.

REGISTER: https://unh.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Lz_sZg77TGuMCNXhofsSxQ#/registration

Presenters

Andrew Houtenville is a man with very short gray hair and beard in a brown suit

Andrew Houtenville, PhD, is a Professor of Economics and Research Director of the Institute on Disability at the University of New Hampshire. Dr. Houtenville is extensively involved in disability statistics and employment policy research. He has published widely in the areas of disability statistics and the economic status of people with disabilities. He is the Principal Investigator on the NIDILRR-funded Employment Policy and Measurement Rehabilitation and Research Training Center. Dr. Houtenville received his Ph.D. in Economics from the University of New Hampshire in 1999 & was a National Institute on Aging Post-Doctoral Fellow at Syracuse University in 1998/1999.

John O'Neill is a man with short gray hair and round glasses, wearing a suit and tie.

John O’Neill, PhD is the director of employment and disability research at Kessler Foundation and has over 28 years of experience in vocational rehabilitation as a rehabilitation counselor educator, disability employment researcher, and advisor to state vocational rehabilitation agencies. Dr. O’Neill has been a PI or co-PI on six NIDILRR funded, five-year research and training centers focusing on TBI and community integration, disability statistics, disability employment service system, and how individual and contextual factors relate to employment outcomes among people with disabilities.

Denise Rozell is a woman with short reddish blond hair and red glasses

Denise M. Rozell, JD is the Director of Policy Innovation at the AUCD. Prior to joining AUCD, she spent fifteen years as Assistant Vice President for State Government Relations with Easter Seals. Denise was the primary resource to Easter Seals 75 affiliates in building capacity to increase awareness of and support for Easter Seals in state government. Prior to that, Denise was the Executive Director of the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired, an international membership organization for the professionals serving individuals who are blind or visually impaired. Denise holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Occidental College in Los Angeles and a juris doctorate from Boalt Hall School of Law at the University of California in Berkeley.

10/11/24 12-1 PM ET Webinar – 2024 Kessler Foundation Nat’l Employment & Disability Survey: Hospitality Industry

2024 Kessler Foundation National Employment and Disability Survey: Hospitality Industry

Date & Time: Oct 11, 2024 12:00 PM ET

Webinar Registration: https://unh.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_S0Fla7tiS0OiWwhX6EZ2Tg#/registration

Join us for a “Deeper Dive” into disability statistics! Using data from a population survey released mid-month, our team of experts will explore important trends and topics with guest speakers each month.

  • 12:00 pm: Opening Remarks and Introductions
  • 12:10 pm: Survey Presentation, Introduction and Methodology, Results and Implications, Additional Commentary
  • 12:45 pm: Open discussion and questions for all

For more information on each month you can visit https://www.researchondisability.org/ntide-episodes-list

Note. All webinars will be recorded and closed captioned and will be added to our website archives along with full transcripts following the live broadcast.

Webinar Registration: https://unh.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_S0Fla7tiS0OiWwhX6EZ2Tg#/registration

Center for Research on Disability – National Trends on Disability Employment – Lunch & Learn – Online Only – 10/04/24 12-1pm ET

REGISTER: https://unh.zoom.us/webinar/register WN_Ti7INQRRQbuU0rir8EJ-0Q#/registration

Center for Research on Disability

nTIDE Lunch & Learn Season 9 – Episode 10

October 4, 2024 | 12:00 – 1:00pm

Online Only


Free | Online | Contact

Welcome to the National Trends in Disability Employment (or nTIDE) Lunch & Learn series. On the first Friday of every month, corresponding with the Bureau of Labor Statistics jobs report, we will be offering a live broadcast via Zoom Webinar to share the results of the latest nTIDE findings. In addition, we will provide news and updates from the field of Disability Employment, as well as host an invited panelist who will discuss current disability related findings and events.

  • 12:00 pm: Introduction & Welcome
    Andrew Houtenville, University of New Hampshire
  • 12:10 pm: Overview of National Trends in Disability Employment (nTIDE) Jobs Report
    • Release John O’Neill, Kessler Foundation
    • The Numbers Andrew Houtenville, University of New Hampshire
  • 12:15 pm: Announcements from the field of Disability Employment
    Denise Rozell, Director of Policy Innovation, AUCD
  • 12:30 pm: Guest Presenters
  • 12:45 pm: Open Question & Answer period for attendees

Note. All webinars will be recorded and closed captioned and will be added to our website archives along with full transcripts following the live broadcast.

REGISTER: https://unh.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Ti7INQRRQbuU0rir8EJ-0Q#/registration

Presenters

Andrew Houtenville is a man with very short gray hair and beard in a brown suit

Andrew Houtenville, PhD, is a Professor of Economics and Research Director of the Institute on Disability at the University of New Hampshire. Dr. Houtenville is extensively involved in disability statistics and employment policy research. He has published widely in the areas of disability statistics and the economic status of people with disabilities. He is the Principal Investigator on the NIDILRR-funded Employment Policy and Measurement Rehabilitation and Research Training Center. Dr. Houtenville received his Ph.D. in Economics from the University of New Hampshire in 1999 & was a National Institute on Aging Post-Doctoral Fellow at Syracuse University in 1998/1999.

John O'Neill is a man with short gray hair and round glasses, wearing a suit and tie.

John O’Neill, PhD is the director of employment and disability research at Kessler Foundation and has over 28 years of experience in vocational rehabilitation as a rehabilitation counselor educator, disability employment researcher, and advisor to state vocational rehabilitation agencies. Dr. O’Neill has been a PI or co-PI on six NIDILRR funded, five-year research and training centers focusing on TBI and community integration, disability statistics, disability employment service system, and how individual and contextual factors relate to employment outcomes among people with disabilities.

Denise Rozell is a woman with short reddish blond hair and red glasses

Denise M. Rozell, JD is the Director of Policy Innovation at the AUCD. Prior to joining AUCD, she spent fifteen years as Assistant Vice President for State Government Relations with Easter Seals. Denise was the primary resource to Easter Seals 75 affiliates in building capacity to increase awareness of and support for Easter Seals in state government. Prior to that, Denise was the Executive Director of the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired, an international membership organization for the professionals serving individuals who are blind or visually impaired. Denise holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Occidental College in Los Angeles and a juris doctorate from Boalt Hall School of Law at the University of California in Berkeley.

Categories

Institute on Disability

University of New Hampshire logo

Copyright © 2024, University of New Hampshire. All rights reserved.
TTY Users: 7-1-1 or 800-735-2964 (Relay NH)

10 West Edge Drive, Suite 101
Durham, NH 03824
  disability.statistics@unh.edu

       

Center for Research on Disability – National Trends on Disability Employment – Deeper Dive into Disability Statistics – 09/20/24 12-1pm ET

REGISTER: https://unh.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_hFnDfKXDTnGWyPZ1BsRVCg#/registration

Center for Research on Disability

nTIDE Deeper Dive – 9/20/2024

September 20, 2024 | 12:00 – 1:00pm

Online Only

Free | Online | Contact

Join a “Deeper Dive” into disability statistics! Using data from a population survey released mid-month, our team of experts will explore important trends and topics with guest speakers each month.

  • 12:00 pm: Welcome and Purpose of this Deeper Dive
  • 12:05 pm: Updated numbers pertaining to today’s area of focus
  • 12:20 pm: Guest Presenter
  • 12:35 pm: Open discussion and questions for all

Note. All webinars will be recorded and closed captioned and will be added to our website archives along with full transcripts following the live broadcast.

Presenters

Andrew Houtenville is a man with very short gray hair and beard in a brown suit

Andrew Houtenville, PhD, is a Professor of Economics and Research Director of the Institute on Disability at the University of New Hampshire. Dr. Houtenville is extensively involved in disability statistics and employment policy research. He has published widely in the areas of disability statistics and the economic status of people with disabilities. He is the Principal Investigator on the NIDILRR-funded Employment Policy and Measurement Rehabilitation and Research Training Center. Dr. Houtenville received his Ph.D. in Economics from the University of New Hampshire in 1999 & was a National Institute on Aging Post-Doctoral Fellow at Syracuse University in 1998/1999.

John O'Neill is a man with short gray hair and round glasses, wearing a suit and tie.

John O’Neill, PhD is the director of employment and disability research at Kessler Foundation and has over 28 years of experience in vocational rehabilitation as a rehabilitation counselor educator, disability employment researcher, and advisor to state vocational rehabilitation agencies. Dr. O’Neill has been a PI or co-PI on six NIDILRR funded, five-year research and training centers focusing on TBI and community integration, disability statistics, disability employment service system, and how individual and contextual factors relate to employment outcomes among people with disabilities.

Elaine Katz is a woman with short auburn hair wearing glasses, a colorful necklace and bright blue sweater

Elaine E. Katz, MS, CCC-SLP is Senior Vice President of Grants and Communications at Kessler Foundation. Elaine Katz oversees the Foundation’s comprehensive grantmaking program and its communications department. During her tenure, the Foundation has awarded more than $49 million in grant support for national and community-based employment programs. For more than 25 years, Elaine has worked with non-profit organizations in the areas of board development, fundraising, marketing, and business development. Elaine often speaks about innovative practices for employing people with disabilities, authors/co-authors articles and papers on related topics, and is a member of several aligned organizations.

Denise Rozell is a woman with short reddish blond hair and red glasses

Denise M. Rozell, JD is the Director of Policy Innovation at the AUCD. Prior to joining AUCD, she spent fifteen years as Assistant Vice President for State Government Relations with Easter Seals. Denise was the primary resource to Easter Seals 75 affiliates in building capacity to increase awareness of and support for Easter Seals in state government. Prior to that, Denise was the Executive Director of the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired, an international membership organization for the professionals serving individuals who are blind or visually impaired. Denise holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Occidental College in Los Angeles and a juris doctorate from Boalt Hall School of Law at the University of California in Berkeley.

Categories

Institute on Disability

University of New Hampshire logo

Copyright © 2024, University of New Hampshire. All rights reserved.
TTY Users: 7-1-1 or 800-735-2964 (Relay NH)

10 West Edge Drive, Suite 101
Durham, NH 03824
  disability.statistics@unh.edu

       

ADA Generation Drives Employment Gains – REGISTER Aug 2nd Noon-1 ET Lunch & Learn Webinar nTide July 2024 Deeper Dive

nTIDE July 2024 Deeper Dive: ‘ADA Generation’ Drives Employment Gains for People with Disabilities

Register now for our next free Lunch & Learn on August 2 2024, at 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Eastern, or visit the nTIDE archives at: ResearchonDisability.org/nTIDE. 

Individuals with disabilities born after 1990 show higher employment rates than their older counterparts

July 23, 2024 – A comparative analysis of employment experiences before and after the enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) reveals that the “ADA generation” working-age population with disabilities (individuals born after 1990) boasts a higher employment-to-population ratio compared to the non-ADA generation with disabilities. That’s according to last Friday’s National Trends in Disability Employment (nTIDE) Deeper Dive Lunch & Learn Webinar presented by Kessler Foundation and the University of New Hampshire’s Institute on Disability (UNH-IOD). 

The data also showed that the ADA generation without disabilities lags behind their non-ADA counterparts in employment rates, indicating ongoing challenges for this group. Overall, the data suggests progress in closing the employment gap between individuals with and without disabilities, largely driven by the ADA generation’s significant presence in the labor market, according to presenter Hyun Ju Kim, PhD, project director III  at UNH-IOD.

Additionally, guest speaker Brittany Potvin, PhD candidate and community health worker in the Strafford County Public Health Network, New Hampshire, who is partially paralyzed as a result of a head-on collision, offered a personal overview of models of disability. She clarified the difference between ADA compliance and accessibility for people with disabilities and underscored the necessity for universal design.

ADA Generation Moves the Needle

“In 2023 to 2024, the ADA generation (people who are 34 years old and younger) had a 45% employment-to-population ratio, and for the non-ADA generation, the employment rate was far lower than that, which is 34.6%,” recounted Dr. Kim. “This has been the trend so far since the Great Recession, where the ADA generation has been driving the employment rate of people with disabilities,” she said.

Meanwhile, the overall employment rate for people without disabilities was 75.2% in 2023 to 2024. Within this group, those from the non-ADA generation had an employment rate of 79.9%, while those from the ADA generation had a lower rate of 68.4%. “This data highlights the persistent trend that the ADA generation without disabilities is less likely to be employed compared to the non-ADA generation,” asserted Dr. Kim. “Overall, it’s interesting to see the strong presence in the labor market of the ADA generation with disabilities compared to the ADA generation without disabilities,” she added.

Dr. Kim posed several hypotheses that might be driving this finding including more widely available and accepted workplace accommodations for this generation, which helps them engage in the labor market. Also, more people in this generation may be identifying themselves as disabled because the inclusion of disability in all aspects of community has helped them feel proud of their identity.  

Personal Story of Resilience

Brittany Potvin shared her journey of overcoming a life-altering accident and living with visible and invisible disabilities. “Navigating life with disabilities has been challenging, but it has also given me a unique perspective on the importance of accessibility and inclusion,” she said. “The ADA has been instrumental in my ability to advocate for myself and others.” Her story underscores the importance of accessibility, inclusion, and universal design in creating equitable opportunities for people with disabilities.

“I learned that managing my disability was relative to the situation at hand. When we leave our own environments, our disabilities can become more prominent and challenging. When I’m at home, I’m not disabled because my home environment emphasizes my abilities. But unfortunately, the outside world emphasizes my limitations,” asserted Potvin.

She highlighted the ongoing societal challenges and the importance of changing perceptions. “There’s still a lot of stigma surrounding the word disabled. When we talk about accessibility, it’s often seen as a burden,” said Potvin. Working to eliminate those stigmas has been a significant focus of her efforts.

Potvin has also discovered that ADA compliance doesn’t guarantee easy accessibility for people with disabilities. Many buildings can navigate around ADA regulations and frequently qualify for exemptions, especially older, historic structures. “An idea that is still new to a lot of people is universal design, which was defined by the Centre for Excellence in Universal Design for all people, regardless of their age, size, ability, or disability,” explained Potvin.

Universal design offers significant benefits, including long-term cost savings by addressing requirements upfront, driving innovation through multidisciplinary collaboration, and engaging the workforce. “It empowers more employees to use and access content, making it easier to attract, retain, and develop employees with and without disabilities,” said Potvin. “Creating environments that are accessible to everyone, regardless of ability, not only benefits people with disabilities but also fosters a more inclusive and innovative society,” she added.

“Individuals with disabilities didn’t just appear in society yesterday, and they didn’t appear since the ADA was written into law. The battle for inclusion and accessibility has been fought for generations. My hope is that more people become aware of universal design and its benefits and that it will become the norm and there will be less hurdles for the disability community,” Potvin concluded.

Ask Questions about Disability and Employment

Each nTIDE release is followed by an nTIDE Lunch & Learn online webinar. This live broadcast, hosted via Zoom Webinar, offers attendees Q&A on the latest nTIDE findings, provides news, updates from the field, and features invited panelists who discuss current disability-related findings and events.

Register now for our next free Lunch & Learn on August 2 2024, at 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Eastern, or visit the nTIDE archives at: ResearchonDisability.org/nTIDE. 


NOTE: The statistics in the nTIDE are based on Bureau of Labor Statistics numbers but are not identical. They are customized by UNH to combine the statistics for men and women of working age (16 to 64). nTIDE is funded, in part, by grants from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) (9ORT5022 and 90RT5017) and Kessler Foundation.

About Kessler Foundation
Kessler Foundation, a major nonprofit organization in the field of disability, is a global leader in rehabilitation research that seeks to improve cognition, mobility, and long-term outcomes — including employment — for people with neurological disabilities caused by diseases and injuries of the brain and spinal cord. Kessler Foundation leads the nation in funding innovative programs that expand opportunities for employment for people with disabilities. For more information, visit KesslerFoundation.org.

About the Institute on Disability at the University of New Hampshire
The Institute on Disability (IOD) at the University of New Hampshire (UNH) was established in 1987 to provide a coherent university-based focus for the improvement of knowledge, policies, and practices related to the lives of persons with disabilities and their families. For information on the NIDILRR-funded Employment Policy and Measurement Rehabilitation Research and Training Center, visit www.ResearchonDisability.org.

For more information, or to interview an expert, contact:

Institute on Disability

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