Disability:IN North Carolina (DI:NC) recently held its annual fall conference at Trane Technologies in Davidson, North Carolina. More than 150 attendees enjoyed the theme, “Paving the Way with Disability:INnovation.”
The conference was headlined by Roy Dockery, author of The Art of Leading, Truth, Love, and Empathy in Action, and Ross Linnett, CEO of Recite Me. Dockery challenged the audience to look at their inclusive talent acquisition strategy differently in order to break barriers for applicants with disabilities. Linnett demonstrated the digital inclusivity tools of Recite Me and shared how making accessibility a priority ensures not only compliance, but also boosts user experience and drives business growth.
Sessions were focused on innovation, financial wellness, business expansion and supplier partnerships touching on the key themes of collaboration, preparing for the unexpected, ensuring inclusivity and sharing best practices.
The conference debuted the Summer Photovoice Project, an exhibit of eight UNC Charlotte students, faculty and staff that explored their lived experiences as people with disabilities through photography.
Fourteen member companies were recognized as a Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion in North Carolina. Trane Technologies, Lowe’s, Wells Fargo, Equitable, EY, TIAA, Novant Health, Pfizer, Ameriprise Financial, SAS, Biogen, MetLife, Sodexo and Ally were all recognized.
Saima Cardwell of SAS was the recipient of the Steve LaBour Leadership Award, recognizing her accomplishments and vision opening doors for people with disabilities. Sydney Simmons received the Joseph T. Brown Memorial Award for Outstanding Young Leadership.
The conference was sponsored by generous donations from the following companies: Prosyntix, WorkPath Partners, The NC Education Lottery, Recite Me, Alliance Health and Novant Health.
Disability:IN NC serves as the collective voice for North Carolina businesses and other stakeholders committed to the full inclusion of people with disabilities in the workplace, supply chain and marketplace. DI:NC empowers businesses to achieve disability inclusion and equality by offering innovative education and training, building business networks and providing strategic consultation, support and resources. DI:NC continues to be one of the largest and most active of Disability:IN’s 24-member Global Affiliate Network and was recognized as the 2020 Disability:IN Affiliate of the Year. To learn more, visit di-nc.org.
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