Introduction by Judy Young, Director of Training and Development at ILR School of Cornell University I have had the privilege in the past few years to contribute an article related to the employment of individuals with disabilities to this publication. I was just about to begin crafting this article when I met one of the participants in our school’s Diversity and Inclusion public workshop series who told me about...

We have all heard how important an inclusive workplace is and how it encompasses five different generations of workers. Each generation brings its own communication styles, complexities, priorities, and so much more. With all these differences, how can we manage other dimensions of diversity? Is this an unprecedented challenge or is it an incredible opportunity for change? When we think about diversity and an inclusive work...

As more companies expand their workforce to meet critical skill gaps in high-demand jobs, there is a renewed opportunity to increase veteran hiring. To tap into this highly skilled talent pool, companies need a targeted outreach strategy to attract qualified veterans who possess valuable leadership and teamwork skills. Additionally, many veterans transitioning from the military to civilian careers have advanced training i...

National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) provides an opportunity each October to highlight the value and skills that employees with disabilities bring to the workplace. This year’s theme, “#InclusionWorks,” recognizes that economic viability and corporate success can only be achieved if everybody is included and given the chance to contribute their talent. Disability inclusiveness often requi...

March 24, 2014 is an important milestone for federal contractors. This is the date when new regulations pertaining to the employment of persons with disabilities (Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act) and veterans (VEVRAA – the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act) went into effect. Among major compliance obligations outlined in these regulations are two overlapping ones that we address in this article: numeri...

October is a historic month dedicated to advancing the employment and inclusion of people with disabilities in the US workforce. Designated by Congress in 1945, this month long campaign highlights the contributions of employees with disabilities while promoting disability awareness and fostering a more inclusive workplace. Each year the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) sets a theme an...