July 24, 2013
The National Business & Disability Council (NBDC) at The Viscardi Center is partnering with New York Life Insurance Company to present an employer event featuring an extraordinary leader in the Global Disability Community, Assistant Secretary at the U.S. Department of Labor, Kathleen Martinez. Ms. Martinez leads the Office of Disability Employment Policy and oversees the development of coordinated national policies that advance the employment of people with disabilities, including veterans and youth. Through Add Us In, one of her signature initiatives, she is developing models to increase the capacity of small businesses, including those in underrepresented and historically excluded communities, to successfully employ people with disabilities.
“We are honored to be able to present a platform for Assistant Secretary, Kathleen Martinez, to address one of NBDC’s committed members, New York Life Insurance Company,” said Laura M. Francis, Executive Director at the National Business & Disability Council at The Viscardi Center. “It is our goal to ensure the inclusivity of people with disabilities throughout our society on every level, with a focus on the workplace. New York Life is committed to providing an inclusive workplace, which includes hiring and supporting employees with disabilities.”
Ms. Martinez will address New York Life on Information and Communication Technology and Accessibility to ensure the full inclusion of people with disabilities throughout our society; enhance opportunities for profitable employment; protect work-related benefits and rights: and guarantee fair compensation for all members of the diverse American workforce. Blind since birth, Ms. Martinez came to the Department of Labor as an internationally recognized disability rights leader specializing in employment, asset building, independent living, and international development, diversity, and gender issues. She previously served as Executive Director of the World Institute on Disability and, as a leader with bipartisan support, was appointed to the Board of the U.S. Institute of Peace, the State Department Advisory Committee on International Disability Policy, and the National Council on Disability.
The 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.
NBDC members interested in hosting a similar employer event, or non-member companies looking for more information about membership, may contact Laura M. Francis at 516.465.1519 or lfrancis@viscardicenter.org.
Founded by Dr. Henry Viscardi, Jr., who served as disability advisor to eight U.S. presidents and became one of the world’s leading advocates, The Viscardi Center educates, employs and empowers children and adults with disabilities. It provides Pre-K through High School education, school-to-work transition services, vocational training, career counseling and placement, assistive technology and workforce diversification assistance to children, adolescents, and adults with disabilities and businesses. A global leader, it employs more than 300 professionals, including experts in education, human resources and technology.