“Our May 19th event can help employers positively impact this rate through education, networking, and planning.”
Wheaton, Illinois (PRWEB) May 08, 2015
AbilityLinks.org, the award-winning job-opportunity network created to boost the hiring of people with disabilities, will host an event on May 19th to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Business leaders are invited to this complimentary event, which will focus on promoting disability equality in the workplace.
According to http://www.ADA.gov, the Americans with Disabilities Act was established in 1990 to prohibit discrimination and ensure people with disabilities have equal opportunities. Issues of employment access are just as relevant today as they were when the law was enacted. The event’s theme, “Business Strategies for Fulfilling the Promise of Inclusion,” seeks to further the discussion and offer solutions. Scott Hoesman, CEO and Founder of inQUEST Consulting, will serve as moderator of a panel of experts who are both advocates and beneficiaries of ADA laws. Panel members include Francisco Alvarado, Assistant Director for the Illinois Department of Human Services’ Division of Rehabilitation (DHS/DRS); Michael Cabin, Corporate and Institutional Services Officer at Northern Trust; Pat Maher, Director of Civic Engagement at CPR Consulting; and William Bogdan, Disability Liaison to the Illinois Secretary of State. Topics to be covered will center around the impact, accomplishments, goals, and updates of ADA laws. Strategies and benefits of how best to utilize these laws and the new Department of Labor rules will also be discussed.
In addition to the panel discussion, the morning will include opportunities for networking, continental breakfast, and tours of the new Marianjoy Assistive Rehabilitation Technology Institute. The Institute is home to AbilityLinks, as well as seven specialized Centers, which apply advancements in technology to benefit individuals with disabilities by maximizing functional independence.
While the event celebrates the anniversary of the ADA, it also aligns with everyday mission of AbilityLinks. The AbilityLinks team offers support to job-seekers, employers, and service providers by creating connections and strategies that promote a more inclusive workforce. AbilityLinks also offers a mentoring program, which connects job-seekers with an established working professional for input and encouragement in their job search. “As of March 2015, the unemployment rate for people with disabilities is 11.7%, more than double the unemployment rate for non-disabled individuals,” says Ken Skord, AbilityLinks program director. “Our May 19th event can help employers positively impact this rate through education, networking, and planning.”
Registration for this complimentary event is required by May 5, 2015. Please visit http://www.AbilityLinks.org to sign up and read additional information. Questions can be directed to 630-909-7445 or info@AbilityLinks.org.