Circle of Champions - Information Exchanges

Information Exchange - April 6, 2006

Susan Meisinger, President and CEO of the Society for Human Resource Management, calls the current economy a "perfect opportunity" for jobseekers with disabilities. Meisinger facilitated the first-ever NFI Circle of Champions Information Exchange, hosted by the Office of Disability Employment Policy on April 6, 2006.

"We are entering a 'perfect storm,' where employment is up, the economy is strong and workers are migrating into retirement. This is a 'perfect opportunity' for people with disabilities."

Susan Meisinger’s words set the tone for a rich, energized discussion at the Circle of Champions Information Exchange, held at the U.S. Department of Labor on April 6, 2006. Meisinger, who is President and CEO of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), facilitated a dialogue among corporate leaders on best practices and innovative strategies for advancing employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

The first-ever exchange, hosted by ODEP, marks the beginning of a movement to realize ODEP's vision - a world in which people with disabilities have unlimited employment opportunities - by working directly with corporate leaders.

Participants represented myriad sectors and industries and included members of ODEP's Circle of Champions, employers who have won the prestigious New Freedom Initiative (NFI) Award:

Representatives from Adecco Group N.A., Nordstrom and CVS, who have recently been working with ODEP to develop disability employment strategies, also attended.

A key theme of the meeting was the importance of public-private partnerships to help ODEP foster its initiatives, as well as extend its reach and strengthen its impact. Dr. Grizzard called on the participants to share information, resources and contacts with each other to build momentum and bring other companies to the cause.

Other best practices identified include:

• Securing commitment from top levels of leadership within a company.
• Making the commitment to employees with disabilities intrinsic to a company's culture.
• Developing ways to measure success and holding managers accountable.
• Offering flexible and adaptable work practices.
• Building active relationships with disability employment groups.

Participants issued a clear call for ODEP to continue engaging them as the catalyst for the advancement of disability employment, and expressed a willingness to do more. Over the coming months, they will work with ODEP to raise awareness of disability employment among their corporate peers and through the media, as well as plan for future events.