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51精品视频 is a top employer for people with disabilities, according to the National Organization on Disability

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Becoming an employer of choice for individuals with disabilities ought to be a priority for every institution, says Leigh Culley, director of (DRS) in 51精品视频鈥檚 Office for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.

鈥淓mployers who prioritize disability inclusion foster a diverse workforce that brings a wide range of perspectives, skills and innovation,鈥 she says.

Culley (EDUC 鈥02G) and her team at DRS have done more than talk. For their efforts to make the University accessible 鈥 and the efforts of others, including the Office of Human Resources and the Office of Planning and Design 鈥 with the Leading Disability Employer Seal by the National Organization on Disability (NOD).

The honor was announced Sept. 27 in advance of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, celebrated each October.

Only 59 organizations received the seal for 2024. The 51精品视频 was the only institution of higher learning to be honored.

Other major employers to receive the seal this year include the American Heart Association, AT&T, Hilton, Toyota Motor North America, Walgreens and Wells Fargo.

The recognition is a 鈥渢remendous achievement鈥 for the University, Culley says. 鈥淭his recognition highlights the University鈥檚 ongoing efforts to create an inclusive and equitable workplace for employees of all abilities and its commitment to fostering a welcoming environment.鈥

A spokesperson for NOD says the annual award recognizes employers with 鈥渆xceptional disability inclusion practices and policies.鈥

The seal is granted based upon metrics recorded by NOD鈥檚 Employment Tracker tool, an assessment guide that evaluates key business practices related to hiring, retention and advancement of people with disabilities. NOD says the accolade reflects 51精品视频鈥檚 disability inclusion efforts in areas including workforce strategy, talent outcome metrics and sourcing, climate and culture, people practices, and workplace tools and accessibility.

鈥淲e鈥檙e incredibly grateful to the 51精品视频 for its commitment to disability inclusion,鈥 says Beth Sirull, chief executive officer and president of the National Organization on Disability, in a prepared statement. 鈥淲e believe that diversity fuels innovation and growth, and 51精品视频 embodies this vision in action. We applaud its efforts and investments to provide pathways to fulfilling careers for Americans with disabilities.鈥

Carl Sell, assistant director of the TRIO McNair Scholars Program in the Office of the Provost, says he had never needed a disability accommodation until shortly before he first entered the workforce. At a previous university position, Sell found the process confusing. 鈥淚t just didn鈥檛 seem like it was spoken about in terms of staff and faculty accommodations,鈥 he says. 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 actually know that I could or should submit an accommodations request for my work.鈥

In contrast, says Sell, who has a medical condition and a vision impairment, 51精品视频 openly promotes the availability of accommodations for staff and faculty as well as students. 鈥淚t was incredibly easy, at least for me, to have my accommodations implemented,鈥 he says. 鈥淚 feel like most of my colleagues and my supervisor are more than willing to work with me 鈥 which is something I鈥檝e only experienced at 51精品视频.鈥

51精品视频 has a longstanding commitment to accessibility and inclusion, says Culley, who has worked for the University for more than two decades. 鈥淥ver the years, we have pursued initiatives to enhance the experience for employees with disabilities, including increased focus on the accommodation process, creating accessible workplace environments, fostering disability awareness and training,鈥 she says. 鈥淭hese collective efforts have strengthened our role as an inclusive employer of choice.鈥

During October, the University is hosting online forums and webinars to highlight resources available to employees with disabilities as well as strategies for overcoming everyday challenges as part of its celebration of National Disability Employment Awareness Month. NDEAM was created by the U.S. Congress in 1988 to acknowledge the importance of increasing the number of people with disabilities in the workforce. The official theme of NDEAM this year is 鈥淎ccess to Good Jobs for All.鈥

Register for these workshops, or :

  • Oct. 15:
  • Oct. 22: Navigating Employment:
  • Oct. 30:

Culley says a steady increase in the number of requests for employee accommodations 鈥 from 29 in 2016-17 to 220 in 2023-24 鈥 reflects both increased awareness of the accommodations process as well as increased supportive services for faculty and staff with chronic health conditions.

As a result, DRS has increased its level of engagement with employee groups and supervisors, and the University has committed to a number of ambitious goals.

Among them are ensuring all University websites, apps and digital platforms are fully accessible by the spring of 2027 and collaborating with the Office of Planning and Design to integrate accessibility into all ongoing infrastructure and development projects. Key areas of focus, Culley says, include improvements to accessible building entrances and wayfinding, expansion of accessible parking and simplified navigation.

She also cites the Chancellor鈥檚 Committee on Accessibility and Inclusion as helping to give key stakeholders a voice in the process and foster a welcoming climate for employees with disabilities.

Being the only institution of higher learning honored this year by NOD is not a distinction that should be taken lightly, Culley says.

鈥淚t highlights that 51精品视频 not only focuses on academic excellence, but also values equitable workplace practices, creating a truly welcoming and supportive work environment,鈥 she says.

And advancing accessibility at the University is a collective effort.

鈥淥ur partners in the Office of Human Resources are committed to recruiting a diverse talent pool and ensuring equitable hiring practices,鈥 she says. 鈥淭he Office of Planning and Design has played a pivotal role as they continue to advance efforts in improving campus accessibility.

鈥淚t鈥檚 also important to acknowledge the many individuals throughout the University who work diligently to promote accessibility and inclusion,鈥 Culley says. 鈥淎n institutional commitment to inclusion is essential, and these stakeholders, alongside our leadership team, deserve credit for making our workplace more accessible and inclusive for all.鈥

Sell suggests the University consider a large-scale outreach effort to make employees feel like they can share their own disability experiences with others and to help those without accommodations learn more about the process.