Additional Resources
EARN Small Business Webinar Series: Local and State Disability Inclusion Incentives and Resources for Small Businesses
01:00 PM – 02:00 PM Eastern
Did you know that many local and state governments provide incentives and resources to small businesses to meet their workforce needs with talent with disabilities? These incentives and resources help the business hire and retain workers with disabilities. Local and state governments offer various supports, such as tax incentives or reimbursement for the cost of workplace accommodations. Many small businesses can benefit from these – and similar support may exist in your area.
In this webinar, learn about innovative state and local programs that help small businesses tap into a talented and diverse workforce and promote inclusivity with minimal cost. Experts from Minnesota’s Employer Reasonable Accommodation Fund and the City of Tacoma, Washington Department of Finance will offer participants the reasons to and guidance on developing and implementing such a program. The benefits of these programs will also be discussed.
During this webinar, participants will learn more about:
- A local program providing tax incentives for supporting small businesses to meet their workforce needs with talent with disabilities
- A state government-funded program that provides financial assistance to employers to cover accommodations for disabled employees
- Ways to build mutually beneficial relationships between small business, community organizations, and state and local governments
ASL and real-time captioning will be provided.
Please reach out to EARN if you have any questions about this event at: earn@askearn.org.
National Symposium on Quality Employment 2024
Hosted by the Vocational Rehabilitation Technical Assistance Center for Quality Employment
Registration is Now Open!
When: May 22 and 23, 2024
Location: Grainger Hall, 975 University Avenue
Madison, Wisconsin or Virtually on Zoom
Cost: Free, registration required.
CRCs: Certified Rehabilitation Counselors (in-person and attending virtually) can earn a total of 15 CRC CEUs, of which nine will qualify for ethics credits
Join us in Person or Virtually!
If you have an accommodations request or a dietary restriction, please register by 3/30/24.
Beyond Our Disabilities – Celebrating Black Disabled Entrepreneurs
“Beyond our Disabilities – Celebrating Black Disabled Entrepreneurs” is an empowering event dedicated to showcasing the tenacity and innovation of Black entrepreneurs with disabilities. This event, in collaboration with National Disability Institute (NDI) and Financial Joy School, offers the inspirational stories of determination and success from founders who have triumphantly navigated a variety of challenges. The event will be hosted by the charismatic Ruby SunShine Taylor and feature a panel of outstanding entrepreneurs, including Mariah Barber from Invisible Strengths, Dr. Samantha Scott of JuneBrain and Stephanie Thomas of Cur8able.com. Join us for an afternoon of celebration, insights and appreciation for these extraordinary individuals who have turned obstacles into opportunities for growth and achievement
View and Download the PowerPoint Slides
ASL Interpretation was be provided by Interpreter Now and Captioning was be provided by Caption First. If you have questions about this session, please email Alexis Jones at ajones@ndi-inc.org.
Preparing for Accessing Capital
During this session, Karlene Sinclair-Robinson, Director of CBP’s Business Finance Center, will address the capital challenges small business can face, and explore how to prepare for capital and strategies for accessing it. Community Business Partnership (CBP), based in Springfield, Virginia, is one of the organizations certified by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s CDFI Fund. They are also a Small Business Administration’s Approved Intermediary Microlender, and a Virginia Small Business Resiliency Lender. The organization focuses on lending to small businesses, startups, and individuals seeking to start up micro-enterprises. The CBP provides loans starting at $1,000 to qualified applicants in their geographically approved markets.
Karlene started with CBP as a client 18+ years ago and evolved to where she supported the organization’s lending mission to bringing the current loan funds and programs to the community. Karlene is considered an Alternative Financing Expert and is a speaker on numerous topics impacting the small business community.
Presented by: Community Business Partnerships
ASL Interpretation and Captioning were provided. To make a reasonable accommodation request or if you have questions about this session, please email Alexis Jones at ajones@ndi-inc.org.
Is Owning a Business a Good Fit for You?
Completing this class is an important step towards deciding whether you should start a business. After completing this class, you will be able to:
- Clarify some of the myths and realities of small business ownership.
- Start a self-assessment to determine your readiness to become a small business owner.
- Set a plan of action to complete your self-assessments by seeking feedback from stakeholders, such as family, friends, and potential customers.
- Have exclusive access to grant opportunities and professional consulting and mentorship 1:1.
- Learn more about various business resources and program opportunities.
Register here: https://startup2023.eventbrite.com
Sign up for Verizon Small Business Digital Ready.
To make a reasonable accommodation request or if you have questions about this event, please email Ruth Chavez at rchavez@ndi-inc.org. Please allow at least 3-5 business days’ advance notice; last minute requests will be accepted though may not be possible to fulfill.
Creating Accessible Emails
Email is a vital communication tool, so it’s important to avoid accessibility barriers that might prevent someone from viewing or understanding a message. Research shows that when an email is accessible, people are more likely to read it. Learn how to make your emails more accessible for all your clients, customers, donors, etc.
Presented by: Results One LLC
View and Download the PowerPoint slides
ASL Interpretation and Captioning were provided. If you have questions about this session, please email Alexis Jones at ajones@ndi-inc.org.
Guardianship and Self-Employment Listening Session
We held a listening session to learn how guardianship or supported decision making (SDM) can facilitate or be a barrier to self-employment for people with disabilities. We invited people with disabilities and their parents who have started down the path of self-employment and have a guardian/SDM. We were interested in hearing about your experiences.
ASL Interpretation and Captioning were provided. If you have questions about this session, please email Alexis Jones at ajones@ndi-inc.org.
This event was not be recorded for public viewing.
Creating Accessible PDFs
PDF document accessibility plays a vital role in the overall accessibility of your website. To provide an equal experience for all users, regardless of disability, you must develop all digital content with accessibility in mind.
Presented by Results One LLC
ASL Interpretation and Captioning were provided. If you have questions about this session, please email Alexis Jones at ajones@ndi-inc.org.
Social Media Accessibility
The content you deliver via social media should be accessible. However, social media platforms don’t always make it easy to add alternative text or consider other disabilities like Deaf and Hard of Hearing, visual impairment or loss, distractions, etc. In this workshop, you will learn tips to make your social media content as compliant as possible so everyone can participate.
Presented by Results One LLC
View and Download the Presentation
ASL Interpretation and Captioning were provided. If you have questions about this session, please email Alexis Jones at ajones@ndi-inc.org.
Creating Accessible Content for Content Creators
What does accessible content mean, and why is it important to your customers and employees? The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines are a set of principles intended for content and web creators to ensure that all people, including those with disabilities, can view, interact, and share information. This course will teach you how to create accessible content.
Presented by Results One LLC
ASL Interpretation and Captioning will be provided. To make a reasonable accommodation request or if you have questions about this session, please email Alexis Jones at ajones@ndi-inc.org. Please allow at least 3-5 business days’ advance notice; last minute requests will be accepted, but may not be possible to fulfill.
Disability-Sensitivity Session 1: Introduction to Disability Inclusion
At the end of the session, you will be able to:
• Identify different types of disabilities as defined by the ADA, including hidden disabilities;
• Share appropriate responses to people with disabilities;
• Use person-centered approaches
• Debunk some common myths about people with disabilities
• Identify specific, actionable tips for treating people with disabilities respectfully
Disability-Sensitivity Session 8: Creating Accessible Content for Content Creators: The Basics
What does accessible content mean, and why is it important to your customers and employees? The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines are a set of principles intended for content and web creators to ensure that all people, including those with disabilities, can view, interact, and share information. This course will teach you how to create accessible content.
ASL interpretation and live captioning (CART) were provided during the session. If you have any accessibility requests or questions, please email ajones@ndi-inc.org.