July 16, 2013
The National Business & Disability Council (NBDC) at The Viscardi Center, along with Georgetown University, will be recognizing the progress of the past two decades in achieving greater freedom and independence through work for millions of people with disabilities this fall. On Friday, November 22, 2013 the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington, DC will host The 3rd Georgetown University Conference on Employment of People with Disabilities that examines both the deep challenges as well as the great opportunities that advance the employment of people with disabilities. As part of the Conference, panels of experts will examine such topics as current disability employment public policy and regulatory trends, and hiring and retaining veterans with disabilities.
As in prior years, Georgetown University will present its Human Spirit Award acknowledging the person or corporation who has made an outstanding contribution to the independence and employment of people with disabilities. This year, John D. Kemp, President & CEO of The Viscardi Center, will present Human Spirit Awards to Thomas J. Donohue, President & CEO, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and J. Randolph (Randy) Lewis, former Senior Vice President, Walgreens.
“We are pleased to be teaming up with Georgetown University once again to present this Conference that raises awareness of the need to improve employment opportunities for people with disabilities,” said Laura M. Francis, Executive Director at the National Business & Disability Council at The Viscardi Center. “June 2013 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) noted a mere 31.4 percent labor force participation rate for people with disabilities, as compared to 77.1 percent for people without disabilities.”
“Although we have made progress over the years, there is still much more that needs to be done, as evidenced by the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ recent reports released,” said John D. Kemp, President & CEO of The Viscardi Center. “The purpose of the Conference is to showcase companies that have a great record of hiring individuals with disabilities and to assist others in their employment practices. Only by continuing to provide valuable information that companies can utilize will we truly see an increase in the employment of people with disabilities.”
To register for the Conference, go to:
https://www4.georgetown.edu/uis/keybridge/keyform/form.cfm?FormID=4601
Please direct questions about the Conference to Toby Long at 202-687-8742 or longt@georgetown.edu.
NBDC’s services are offered through tiered membership levels or on a project basis and assist businesses in developing strategies to implement, grow, measure and create solid disability programs. These include talent acquisition, advancement and retention strategies; customized training seminars and workshops; facility and IT accessibility surveys; and an information hotline for disability-related employment issues. Its initiatives to assist employers with expanding their recruiting of people with disabilities include Job Postings Services that aid in attracting qualified people with disabilities to their companies, the NBDC National Resume Database® which provides access to resume listings 365/24/7 and the Emerging Leaders summer internship program for college students with disabilities. For more information about NBDC membership and services, contact Laura M. Francis at 516.465.1519 or lfrancis@viscardicenter.org.
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