Beyond Accommodations: Disability Inclusion as a Company Culture
The purpose of this event is to bring together individuals and organizations who – by discussing topics that pertain to today’s workforce – will speak to the importance of diversity, inclusion, accessibility, equity, and how it pertains to individuals with disabilities in the workplace. The summit’s theme is, “Beyond Accommodations: Disability Inclusion as a Company Culture.
The summit will address and educate organizations on their efforts to foster outreach and inclusion of individuals with disabilities. This event will serve as a platform for organizations, leaders, and individuals to share their stories, experiences, best practices, and contributions in creating a more equitable and inclusive workplace. Our goal is to educate, inspire, and encourage attendees to reflect on their own commitments and practices as they strive to advance DEI within their respective organizations and beyond. And more than ever, we hope to help companies embrace and champion policies that dismantle a biased system and move towards equity, accessibility, and inclusion in the workplace. For questions or comments, please contact Ivy Hunter at [email protected]
Ángeles Valenciano
CEO
Texas Diversity Council
Kathy Martinez
President and CEO
Disability Rights Advocates (DRA)
Kellie Blackwell
Assistive Technology (AT) Specialist
Michigan Disability Rights Coalition
Jenny Brown
CEO and Founder
Dutton Farms
Joy Calloway
Interim Chief Executive Officer
Planned Parenthood of Greater New York,
Tameka Citchen-Spruce
Independent Film Producer, Screenwriter and Disability Justice Activist
Warriors on Wheels
James Clinkscale
State ADA Coordinator
State of Ohio Department of Administrative Services
Nacsha Ealy
Business Relations Consultant-Business Network Division
Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS)
Bryan W. Gill
Operations Director for the Business Solutions Team (BeST)
JPMorgan Chase
Hung Jen Kuo
Assistant Professor | Office of Rehabilitation and Disability Studies
Michigan State University
Robin Jones
Director
Great Lakes ADA Center | University of Illinois at Chicago
Curtis Kesler
Sr. HR Partner
DOW
Sarah Kirwan
Founder and Principal
Eye Level Communications
Lisa Kisiel
Vocational Rehabilitation West Region Manager
Michigan Bureau of Services for Blind Persons
Dana Lasenby
Executive Director and CEO
Oakland Community Health Network
Josh Loebner
Director of Strategy, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Designsensory
De'Andrea Matthews
Director of Diversity and Community Engagement
Detroit Zoological Society
Mary Mbiya
Vice President, Director Diversity & Inclusion
Flagstar Bank
Allison Norlian
Co-Founder l BirdMine Contributor l ForbesWomen Journalist/Writer
Birdmine
Anthony Pacilio
Vice President-Autism2Work (A2W)
CAI
Sonya Payne
Regional Human Resources Manager
Walgreens
Tonia Peterson
Program Manager- Business Network Division
Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS)
Debra Pinals
Director of the Program in Psychiatry, Law, & Ethics
University of Michigan Medial School
Richard Ramirez
Innovation / Technology Corporate Social Responsibility
DTE Energy
Christopher Samp
Director of the Office of Disability Affairs
The City of Detroit
Jourdan Saunders
Founder and CEO
The Resource Key
Lisa Stanley
Business Relations Consultant
Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS)
Annie Urasky
Director of the Division on Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing
Michigan Department of Civil Rights
Nadia Vann
Assistant Attorney-General with the Health, Education, and Family Services
Michigan Office of Attorney General
Jordan Walker
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Manager
Consumers Energy
Henry Werner
Senior Director - Facilities Management and Support Services
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
Stacie de Armas
SVP Diverse Consumer Insights & Initiatives, DE & I Practice
Nielsen
Vernita Duvall
Sr. Vice President
Patterson Bryant
Zachary Fairchild
Total Rewards Manager-Culture & Engagement Department
LakeTrust Credit Union
Kanetra Hights
Director of Inclusion and Diversity
C.H. Guenther & Son Inc.
Darlene King
Executive Director
Michigan Diversity Council
Laurie Morse-Dell
Chief Operating Officer
Incompass Michigan
Brad O'Brien
Learning Experience Manager
GreenPath Financial Wellness
Christine Roberts
Occupational Therapist-Business Network Division
Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS)
Rich Stevenson III
Senior Corporate Trainer/ disAbility ERG Chair
Flagstar Bank
TyKiah Wright
Senior Director
National Diversity Council
Ferdinand Gipson
Business Systems Analyst | Information Technology | ABLE President
Henry Ford Health System
2021 Disability Leadership Award
Amanda Huszt-Vickers
Community Engagement Manager
LakeTrust Credit Union
Cheri Mitchell
Sr. HR Manager
Brilliant Detroit
Carla Tinsley-Smith
Director, Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access (IDEA)
Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA)
2021 Disability Ally Award
2021 Small Buiness of the Year
Agenda
| 9:00am-9:15am | Opening Session - Ángeles Valenciano, CEO, Texas Diversity Council |
| 9:15am-9:45am | Keynote Address - Kathy Martinez, President and CEO, Disability Rights Advocates (DRA) |
| 9:45am-9:55am | Interim Break |
| 9:55am-10:55am | Concurrent Session I: Culture and Employee Engagement 1.1 Disability Inclusion in the Workplace: The Realities Beyond The Business Case- More than ever, companies realize the importance of a customer-centric approach as they prioritize shared values and social responsibility. In relation to disability inclusion, corporations often analyze various ‘business cases,’ all to measure themselves. However, it’s time businesses look beyond the business case and make the necessary investment in affirming the agency and dignity of humanity. Join this session to hear from business leaders on the various ways in creating a more equitable and inclusive organizational culture. The “Bottom line” is organizations play a significant role in shaping the broader dynamics in our society. Panelists: Sonya Payne, Regional Human Resources Manager, Walgreens Bryan W. Gill, Operations Director for the Business Solutions Team (BeST), JPMorgan Chase Jenny Brown, CEO and Founder, Dutton Farms De'Andrea Matthews, Director of Diversity and Community Engagement, Detroit Zoological Society Moderator: TyKiah Wright, Senior Director, National Diversity Council 1.2 Driving Inclusion: The Role of Executive Sponsors and ERG's- The ERGs/BRGs are the backbone and the heart of DEI initiatives because they provide opportunities for employees at every level to get involved in supporting diversity awareness and helping to advance discussions on policies, processes, and systems that may impede the advancement or development of people with disabilities. Executive Sponsors are critical to the success of ERGs/BRGS because they serve as advocates within the company to help advance the work of DEI. This session will offer a better understanding of ERG’s/BRG’S and Executive Sponsors as an impactful vehicle in driving strategic priorities and business outcomes, in addition to diversity, inclusion, community, and employee engagement. Panelists: Curtis Kesler, Sr. HR Partner, DOW Henry Werner, Senior Director - Facilities Management and Support Services, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Jordan Walker, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Manager, Consumers Energy Moderator: Rich Stevenson III, Senior Corporate Trainer/ disAbility ERG Chair, Flagstar Bank 1.3 Workplace Culture and the ADA- Workplace culture, values, practices, written and unwritten rules of how a group functions- is an important part of work-life that relates to the goals of the ADA. However, changing attitudes or values that lead to discriminatory practices is a complex task that requires us to look beyond the law itself. In this panel discussion, we will take a deeper dive into the intent of the ADA in organizational settings in creating inclusive environments that welcome equal opportunities for people with disabilities in the workplace. Panelists: James Clinkscale, State ADA Coordinator, State of Ohio Department of Administrative Services Robin Jones, Director, Great Lakes ADA Center | University of Illinois at Chicago Christopher Samp, Director of the Office of Disability Affairs, The City of Detroit Moderator: Zachary Fairchild, Total Rewards Manager-Culture & Engagement Department, LakeTrust Credit Union 1.4 Mental Health And Disability Inclusion- In the United States, 1 in 4 adults—61 million—have a disability. Mental health conditions are the most common disability in the U.S., yet there are significant disparities in employment. These disparities exist despite policy protections for people with disabilities, as seen in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). However, mental health is not as visible as other diversity dimensions. Mental illnesses often give way to “invisible” or non-apparent disabilities, and too often, mental health is often misunderstood, stigmatized, and overlooked. This panel discussion will raise awareness, educate, destigmatize, and challenge assumptions about mental illness, in addition to providing a better understanding of how to remove barriers to inclusion. Panelists: Joy Calloway, Interim Chief Executive Officer, Planned Parenthood of Greater New York, Dana Lasenby, Executive Director and CEO, Oakland Community Health Network Debra Pinals, Director of the Program in Psychiatry, Law, & Ethics, University of Michigan Medial School Moderator: Vernita Duvall, Sr. Vice President, Patterson Bryant |
| 10:55am-11:55am | Lunch |
| 11:55am-12:55pm | Concurrent Session II: Through the Lens of Inclusion 2.1 Disability Rights and Social Justice- Many people with disabilities and allies achieved important historical work in developing disability rights in the U.S., creating success in advancement and opportunities. We cannot effectively challenge inequality and inequity—or advance social justice—unless we address the needs, concerns, and priorities of the one billion people worldwide who live with disabilities. This session will identify a social justice framework tied to our broader commitment to diversity, access, equity, and inclusion, incorporated through a disability lens in building a fully inclusive world. Panelists: Kellie Blackwell, Assistive Technology (AT) Specialist, Michigan Disability Rights Coalition Annie Urasky, Director of the Division on Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing, Michigan Department of Civil Rights Nadia Vann, Assistant Attorney-General with the Health, Education, and Family Services, Michigan Office of Attorney General Tameka Citchen-Spruce, Independent Film Producer, Screenwriter and Disability Justice Activist, Warriors on Wheels Moderator: Darlene King, Executive Director, Michigan Diversity Council 2.2 Identity Beyond Disability: An Intersectional Approach- Coined in 1989, by legal scholar and civil rights activist Kimberlé Crenshaw, intersectionality takes into account overlapping identities and experiences to understand the multiple sources of oppression and the complexity of prejudices people face. Despite increasing awareness of the need to understand and design for intersectionality at work, most organization’s do not apply this framework in diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. Attendees will leave this session with a better understanding of the: 1. history; 2. effect of intersecting identities on employees; 3. role of micro-inequities and microaggressions; 4. value and importance for employers; and 5. real-world application. Organizations that prioritize intersectionality enable employees to embrace, express, and celebrate all aspects of themselves – without fear of discrimination and retaliation in the workplace. Panelists: Sarah Kirwan, Founder and Principal, Eye Level Communications 2.3 Disability Etiquette- A basic understanding of disability etiquette involves treating people with disabilities with respect. It includes respectful communication and interaction with people who have disabilities. Good disability etiquette can also expand business opportunities and help organizations serve customers more effectively. Join this training and increase your knowledge, awareness, challenge assumptions, and increase cultural competency related to disabilities, leading to a more inclusive workforce. Panelists: Nacsha Ealy, Business Relations Consultant-Business Network Division, Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS) Lisa Stanley, Business Relations Consultant, Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS) |
| 12:55pm-1:15pm | Interim Break |
| 1:15pm-2:15pm | Concurrent Session III: Inclusion and Accessiblity 3.1 Digital Accessibility and Communication Technology- About 20 percent of the US population has an accessibility barrier, which means improving accessibility and technology goes a long way in creating more equitable opportunities and advancements offered to more people. Join our panel of business leaders as they discuss technology and accessibility’s impact in driving diversity and inclusion. Topics include determining where the barrier lives-internally and externally, policies and procedures, training, inclusive designs, and understanding accessibility as a human right. Panelists: Lisa Kisiel, Vocational Rehabilitation West Region Manager, Michigan Bureau of Services for Blind Persons Tonia Peterson, Program Manager- Business Network Division, Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS) Richard Ramirez, Innovation / Technology Corporate Social Responsibility, DTE Energy Hung Jen Kuo, Assistant Professor | Office of Rehabilitation and Disability Studies, Michigan State University Moderator: Brad O'Brien, Learning Experience Manager, GreenPath Financial Wellness 3.2 Implementing a Neurodiversity Employment Program Post Covid - Leading organizations are finding that neurodiverse individuals can spur innovation, creativity, and bring a unique skill set to the workplace. By implementing successful neurodiversity programs, organizations can gain the competitive advantage they’ve been looking for. In this breakout session, panel leaders from CAI’s Autism2Work and Flagstar will share how they learned to adapt to a virtual environment, provide support for neurodiverse teams, and share recommendations for moving forward post-COVID. Panelists: Mary Mbiya, Vice President, Director Diversity & Inclusion, Flagstar Bank Anthony Pacilio, Vice President-Autism2Work (A2W), CAI Moderator: Laurie Morse-Dell, Chief Operating Officer, Incompass Michigan 3.3 Media and Disability Advocacy- Media representation for all groups, including marginalized groups, is crucial. Our worldview is significantly shaped by what is or isn't represented in the media. Poor representation or lack of leads to misinformation, stigma, stereotypes, and societal exclusion. In the case of disabilities, an example of this would be the misunderstanding that persons with a disability have fewer capabilities or potential than those who are able. In this session, discover the media’s role and responsibility in promoting positive branding and fair diverse representation promoting inclusion and acceptance of individuals with disabilities. Panelists: Allison Norlian, Co-Founder l BirdMine Contributor l ForbesWomen Journalist/Writer, Birdmine Jourdan Saunders, Founder and CEO, The Resource Key Josh Loebner, Director of Strategy, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Designsensory Stacie de Armas, SVP Diverse Consumer Insights & Initiatives, DE & I Practice, Nielsen Moderator: Kanetra Hights, Director of Inclusion and Diversity, C.H. Guenther & Son Inc. |
| 2:15pm-2:25pm | Interim Break |
| 2:25pm-2:55pm | Awards |
| 2:55pm-3:00pm | Closing Remarks - Darlene King, Executive Director, Michigan Diversity Council |
Sponsored By
BRONZE SPONSOR
- Designated as a Bronze Sponsor of the summit; this designation will be on the event webpage, all pre-event and event online and email promotional material, and printed event materials
- Professional photographs of event for organizational use
- Quarter-page ad in the printed event program
- 2 tickets to the summit
SILVER SPONSOR
- Designated as a Silver Sponsor of the summit; this designation will be on the event webpage, all pre-event and event online and email promotional material, and printed event materials
- Professional photographs of event for organizational use
- Half-page ad in the printed event program
- 4 tickets to the summit
GOLD SPONSOR
- Designated as an Gold Sponsor of the summit; this designation will be on the event webpage, all pre-event and event online and email promotional material, and printed event materials
- Gold Sponsor(s) will be included in recognition of 50% event proceeds donation to the Ohio Stem Learning Network
- Professional photographs of event for organizational use
- Full-page ad in the printed event program
- 8 tickets to the summit
PRESENTING SPONSOR
- Designated as Presenting Sponsor of the summit; this designation will be on the event webpage, all pre-event and event online and email promotional material, and printed event materials – limited to two co-title organizations
- Presenting Sponsor(s) will be included in recognition of 50% event proceeds donation to the Ohio Stem Learning Network
- Presenting Sponsor(s) will be listed on all nametags, table tents, and signage during the event
- Receive a formal plaque as Presenting Sponsor of the event
- An opportunity to have a representative from your organization provide remarks to open or close the event (10 minutes)
- Professional photographs of event for organizational use
- Two full-page ads in the printed event program
- 16 tickets to the summit