ERGs add strength to their voices and giving them more meaningful ways to contribute in the workplace. Authors note:Because of Mediums refusal to address its accessibility issues for both authors, Hint: fix the bug is probably the least important item on the list It is incredibly common when I do accessibility podcasts, I am asked, what does accessibility success look like to you? I, perhaps oddly, count beginning to get, An essential component to maximizing remote participation by people with disabilities Part two of a two-part article. Weve created a collection of intersectional illustrations that highlight the wide range of people with disabilities. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Why accessibility bugs are a good thing and how to handle them, Using plain language is essential for content accessibility, increase their personal development in the workplace, improve recruiting in the areas the ERGs focus on. WebEmployee Resource Groups can show employees with disabilities tools and techniques they can use to develop important career skills. We engage and connect to communities inside and outside Microsoft through several opportunities in partnership with our nine Employee Resource Groups. Around one-third of employees rated their ERGs as neutral in external engagement, allyship, leadership connection, and career advancement. Do internet-only businesses come under the Americans with Disabilities Act? In our research, we looked at how the following five dimensions correlate with employee inclusion and belonging. Please sign up there for notices of all, If you want to be perceived as inclusive, you have to BE inclusive. This article was edited by Justine Jablonska, an editor in the New York office. WebWe encourage employee connection through our network of Intel chartered 40+ Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and Leadership Councils (LCs). To the benefit of all the ERGs, the DEI team deployed an engagement survey that one ERG had successfully rolled out across the entire organization. TheLatino Employee Networkwas created to foster cultural, as well as professional growth within Thomson Reuters, both in the Latino and general community. Pride at Workaims to create a safe and inclusive workplace, remaining aligned with Thomson Reuters business objectives, those of our customers and external partners and the wider community of LGBTQ+ individuals as well as our friends and allies. If ERG members want to expand the ERGs remit and activities by, for example, taking a more active role in debiasing internal processes or shaping corporate giving strategy, ERG leadership should decide whether to expand their scope of activities. ERGs foster inclusion in a number of ways, including by helping employees feel that they belong and are part of a community, especially through connections that counter the feelings of being an only within an organization. After spending time as a teacher with a blind student, she became much more aware of the limitations and abilities of web accessibility, and how essential it is to those experiencing disabilities. June is recognized as Pride Month, dedicated to celebrating the resilience, perseverance and unity of the LGBTQ community. 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One of the reasons for its popularity is the life lessons it teaches on management and relationships through the lens of dramatic comedy (aka dramady). This blog explains everyday economics, consumer topics and the Fed. This fact sheet provides ideas, recommendations and resources for disability inclusion that go beyond the ADAAG (Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines). Twelve tips to keep in mind for inclusive hybrid meetings including considerations for: accommodations, platform, location, accessibility, and more. TheBlack Employee Networks (BEN) mission is to foster the inclusion and advancement of employees that identify as Black or of African descent at Thomson Reuters. WebDisability Employee Resource Groups. Its a great way for employees to share how theyre making their departments accessible and make valuable connections. Fair access to financial tools and credit can help consumers achieve their lifes goals. Learn from other employee resource groups, Likewise, everyone- not just people with disabilities-. @media only screen and (min-width: 0px){.agency-nav-container.nav-is-open {overflow-y: unset!important;}} But they have a knack for convening internal and external experts and igniting a passion in others. Day #7 Use Social Media to Promote Your Activities. Out of awareness and understanding arise the final parts of the groups focus: allyship and advocacy. To prevent such inequities, effective companies create a centrally aligned approach to allocating ERG funding and leadership support. Check out the infographic to learn more. These building blocks are designed to assist both buyers and sellers on their digital accessibility journey. Over the past several years, a life sciences company saw a significant uptick in employee resource group (ERG) activity and participation. Its a great way for employees to share how theyre making their departments accessible and make valuable connections. Creating an ERG inherently creates change: Sometimes through its very existence, and other times through the ERG objectives. Executives and senior leaders play an essential role in times of change. One of the lasting impacts of the pandemic is that business, Using plain language is essential for content accessibility When writing for your audience, its essential to keep things simple at the lowest common denominator for your audience. Some things that you may need to accomplish to saturate your potential members with information about your group include: Every company that is large enough to have any ERG needs to have a disability ERG. The Families employee resource group provides resources, shared experiences and information, and serves as a voice of support for our diverse families across Microsoft. You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings. ERGs offer great opportunities for employees with disabilities to build a community and develop professional relationships outside of the confines of their given departments. This maturity model helps you start an ERG, and develop plans for continuous improvement. Be accessible, How to identify a Toxic Accessibility Culture, and what you can do about it, Groups that dont care about people with disabilities, Making word clouds and polling fully accessible to all meeting attendees, Applying Ted Lasso management lessons to accessibility. These include the following. There will be turnover due to people changing jobs or having life events take precedence over ERG participation, and there needs to be a succession plan to give others the opportunity to lead. It also became clear that ERG leaders were overburdened by the work of keeping the ERGs running. Year-Round Employer Strategies for Advancing Disability Inclusion Enhance recruitment efforts to better target and appeal to job seekers with disabilities. Sometimes referred to as Employee Networks or Affinity Groups, ERGs offer employees an opportunity to connect and receive support from others with similar backgrounds or interests. Optimize operations, connect with external partners, create reports and keep inventory accurate. Employees report more job satisfaction and better performance when they are comfortable bringing all aspects of themselves to work. Last week, I wrote about how important disability-focused employee resource groups are to creating an environment where employees with disabilities feel comfortable disclosing them and in turn helping others. Incorporating ERGs to Promote Disability Inclusion in the Workplace ERGs can serve as in-house focus groups to determine what, and find valuable. ERG leaders and members are asking whether the groups provide what employees want and are seeking ways to offer the support employees are actually looking for. Sometimes referred to as Employee Networks or Resource Consolidate multiple country-specific spreadsheets into a single, customizable solution and improve tax filing and return accuracy. As a best practice, effective ERGs also focus on strategic alignment and a distinct purpose. They can then work with the companys DEI team to ensure that they are connected in their efforts. She had indeed experienced deeper connection with Black colleagues and felt less like an only at her company. This allows all groups to gain a variety of perspectives because PWD are present in all groups within society, regardless of gender, nationality, race, or religion. It is important when starting any type of ERG not to overload too few people with too many responsibilities. Instead, dip your toes into sales, professional services, or technology. Do You Need an Employee Resource Group for People The Disability:IN ERG/BRG Leadership Committee has prepared this fact sheet to assist corporate disability Employee Resource Groups/Business Resource Groups to enable members to bring all aspects of themselves to the workplace and to serve as a bridge to other BRGs. I joke that since this effort started, officially kicked off, the floodgates of subject matter have just flung wide open, she said. The Hispanic ERG, on the other hand, had an extensive membership but no members above mid-manager level. Need help learning how you can make your workplace more accommodating to employees with disabilities? The three St. Louis Fed employees note they are not specialists: We are not the experts, but were trying hard to learn as we go, Lamar says. Make It Safe for Employees to Disclose Their Disabilities But none of her other expectations had materialized. 2 The CDC says a disability is any condition of the body or mind (impairment) that makes it more difficult for the person with the condition to do certain activities (activity limitation) and interact with the world around them (participation restrictions). More information, including state-level data, is available at the CDCs Disability and Health Data System. Authors note:Because of Mediums refusal to address its accessibility issues for both authors and readers,Ive moved my last, All jobs have up and down cycles. WebThe Disability:IN ERG/BRG Leadership Committee has prepared this fact sheet to assist corporate disability Employee Resource Groups/Business Resource Groups to advance inclusive and easy access to their companies grounds and buildings. Saturday, April 22, 2023, is Earth Day. U.S. Census Bureau. Additionally, the DEI team worked with company leadership to ensure equitable budget allocation across all groups. To celebrate Global Volunteer Month, the Thomson Reuters Social Impact Institute is excited to host the third annual IMPACTathon from April 24-28, 2023. Learn how to engage Employee Resource Groups and WebFounded in 1989, our first employee resource group, BAM, has led investment in programs like the BAM scholarships and Minority Student Day, an outreach event it hosts annually Now more than ever, how people identify, as well as when and why they disclose a disability, determines workplace culture. As a die-hardSan Francisco Giantsfan for more than four decades and compound archery 2024 Paralympic, I am one of a jillion people anxiously awaiting season 3 of Ted Lasso. They serve as valuable focus groups for the company and advocacy groups for their members. The idea of like-minded coworkers getting together to discuss their ideas, commonalities, and workplace concerns has been around informally for as long as there have been jobs. The more you have conversations with other people, the more you realize how little awareness there is of what it means to live with a disability. [CDATA[/* >