Disability Inclusion Toolkit

Create a workplace that acknowledges, accepts, and leverages the talents of all people.

PRESENTED BY

This toolkit has been optimized and tested for accessibility. Please click the blue icon for more information.

Use this toolkit to assess and maximize your company’s inclusion of people with disabilities, including neurodivergence.

Our data, resources, and best practices are informed by the perspective of experts and people living and working with disabilities.

Read the call to action from Dale Petroskey, our President and CEO.

THE LANDSCAPE

CREATING AN INCLUSIVE WORKPLACE

ASSUME YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT DISABILITY LOOKS LIKE

The symbol for disability access is a wheelchair – something that was decided when Richard Nixon was president. And something that continues to influence people’s understanding and awareness of accessibility needs.

EMBRACE A CUSTOMIZED APPROACH TO DISABILITY INCLUSION

Tips on how to operate within legal guidelines and create a culture where people feel confident in talking about what will help them work to their best ability.

DISABILITY INCLUSION NEEDS TO BE A BUSINESS PRIORITY

See how two major financial services firms are approaching disability inclusion and how it benefits the bottom line.

FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH ACCESSIBILITY IN EDUCATION

Transitioning from being a full-time student to joining the workforce can be challenging for anyone. For students in the disability community there are additional steps to take and processes to follow.

PARTNER RESOURCES

LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS
1. North Texas Disability Chamber
  
  The North Texas Disability Chamber (NTXDC) shall promote a more cohesive, transparent, informed, regional, member-based, cross-disability community via events and education hosted at accessible locations across North Texas.
2. My Possibilities
  
  My Possibilities is the first full-day, year-long continuing education and job placement program in North Texas, aimed to give adults with Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities (IDD) the chance at higher education and an opportunity to let their untapped possibilities shine.
3. Disability:IN North Texas
  
  Disability:IN is the leading nonprofit resource for business disability inclusion worldwide. Disability:IN North Texas is an Affiliate of Disability:IN encouraging disability inclusion in Dallas, Tarrant, Collin, and Denton Counties.
4. ConnectIDD
  
  Founded by My Possibilities CEO Michael Thomas, ConnectIDD’s mission is to empower people with disabilities through strategic partnerships and improvements in the organizations, businesses, and communities that serve them.
MUST-HAVE INFORMATION
1. Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability Inclusion
  
  The Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability Inclusion (EARN) offers information and resources to help organizations of all sizes recruit, hire, retain, and advance people with disabilities; build inclusive workplace cultures; and meet diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) goals.
  
  Get involved: email earn@askearn.org
  
  Employment First
  
  Through its Employment First program, the Texas Health & Human Services Department provides guidance to employers looking to hire qualified disabled employees (including resources, business benefits, and breaking myths on hiring workers with disabilities).
  
  Get involved: Dallas Aging & Disability Resource Center – 1380 River Bend Drive
  Dallas, TX 75247
  
  EEOC Disability-Related Resources
  
  The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission provides resources and materials on federal laws & regulations regarding employing people with disabilities.
  
  Get involved: EEOC Dallas Office
  
  Texas Workforce Commission (TWC)
  
  The Texas Workforce Commission provides resources and materials on state laws & regulations regarding employing people with disabilities.
  
  Vocational Rehabilitation Program
  
  Our program helps people with disabilities get ready for, find, or keep a job. We help adults with disabilities of all ages. We also help young students with disabilities prepare for life after school. The program also assists businesses in hiring and supporting employees with disabilities.
  
  Texas HireAbility
  
  The We Hire Ability program recognizes Texas employers for their commitment to hiring people with disabilities, and for their efforts to create an inclusive workforce. Employers with at least 10 percent of their Texas-based workforce comprising people with disabilities, are eligible to receive a We Hire Ability decal to display on their storefront and a digital decal to display on their website.
  
  Accessible AI Quotient
  
  The Accessible AI Quotient (AAIQ) framework is a set of technical guidelines, rules, and protocols designed to ensure AI technologies are universally accessible and inclusive. Created by Dallas AI company VisioTech, this framework aims to provide professionals with the resources they need to create accessible AI applications.
  
  Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI)
  
  The WAI is an initiative of the World Wide Web Consortium to develop guidelines which are widely regarded as the international standard for web accessibility. The WAI provides fundamental resources for businesses on digital accessibility.
  
  Digital Inclusion Program Manual – National Digital Inclusion Alliance
  
  National Digital Inclusion Alliance advances digital equity by supporting community programs and equipping policymakers to act.
LANDMARK REPORTS
1. The disability inclusion imperative
  
  Published by Accenture in partnership with Disability:IN and the American Association of People with Disabilities
  
  Disability Equality Index 2023 Report
  
  A joint initiative between the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) and Disability:IN
  
  Your Workforce Includes People with Disabilities. Does Your People Strategy? | Boston Consulting Group
  
  Disability Inclusive Companies Are More Profitable | Forbes
  
  Guidance on Web Accessibility and the Americans with Disabilities Act | (ADA)
  
  Guidelines by the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice
  
  Texans with Disabilities Data Brief | Every Texan
  
  How we make sure our charts, maps, and tables are accessible | Datawrapper
  
  Creating a more disability-inclusive workplace | Microsoft

Have feedback? We want to hear from you.

The DRC’s Diversity, Inclusion & Community Engagement team wants to know what you think of the Disability Inclusion Toolkit and your ideas to advance it.