Two of the Nation's Leading Disability Employment Experts Collaborate to Create Company with Global Reach and Impact

SAINT AUGUSTINE, Fla., Sept. 30, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- For the first time, federal contractors will be required to set and meet numerical goals for employing people with disabilities.  This recent decision by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) could have a significant impact on the employment landscape.  With approximately 200,000 federal contractor establishments, the DOL estimates 590,000 people with disabilities could enter the workforce.  News of the imminent shift is encouraging for disability employment advocates but still signals a need for more opportunity, as the unemployment rate of people with disabilities in the U.S. stands at 14.1 percent­ – nearly double that of those considered typically able.  

Whether it's approaching or attracting customers and employees, these regulations reflect a growing trend among companies both domestically and internationally. 

To help provide guidance, though leadership and strategy to companies seeking subject matter expertise, two of the nation's premier disability employment experts, Meg O'Connell and Deb Russell, have collaborated to create Global Disability Inclusion, LLC.   

"When we looked at the disability employment landscape, the majority of resources are focused only on solutions in the U.S.," said O'Connell.  "Yet, most large employers have a global presence.  We recognized that an important gap needed to be filled.  With Global Disability Inclusion's expertise and reach, we can respond globally, while thinking locally."

"Our company brings together best practices from our experience with more than 50 dynamic domestic and international companies including Walgreens, Lowe's, Booz Allen Hamilton, SunTrust Bank, Proctor & Gamble and Bank of America," said Russell.  "We're very excited to develop and grow diversity programs for those making disability inclusion a part of their culture."

Global Disability Inclusion has spent the past several months identifying consultants and affiliates around the world to help execute their global vision for disability employment.  Affiliates have already been established in Australia, Canada, Eastern Europe and Puerto Rico, and the network is growing rapidly.

"Local affiliates lend knowledge of local laws and identify partners who will provide candidates with disabilities," said Russell.  "They can also help us understand cultural differences on the topic of disability employment."

O'Connell and Russell both come from corporate employment backgrounds – where their experience was in building people strategy programs from the inside.  Both have experience in Human Capital Management, and large-scale organizational change. 

Global Disability Inclusion's core services are centered on the BASIC Program™ which helps companies with Benchmarking, Assessments, Strategy Development, Implementation, and Compliance. 

"Companies need to realize that disability employment is not about charity, it's about diversifying your workforce – and our team is ready to provide those solutions," said O'Connell.

Visit www.GlobalDisabilityInclusion.com for more information.  Follow us on Facebook and Twitter @globaldisabilit.  For questions about disability employment strategies, contact Meg O'Connell at (704) 840-6174 or meg@globaldisabilityinclusion.com.  

Contact: Meg O'Connell
Phone: 704-840-6174
Email: meg@globaldisabilityinclusion.com

 

SOURCE Global Disability Inclusion

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http://www.globaldisabilityinclusion.com