Past Events

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Speakers:
Tatiana Lee, Hollywood Inclusionist, RespectAbility
Eric Ascher, Communications Associate, RespectAbility
Moderated by Lauren Appelbaum, Vice President, Communications, RespectAbility

Social media platforms raise some access issues for individuals with disabilities. Although accessibility on social media sites is limited in a lot of ways, some features do exist in each platform. Enjoy this hands-on presentation in best practices for Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

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Speakers:
Sharon Rosenblatt, Director of Communications, Accessibility Partners
Dan Mouyard, Front End Technical Architect, Forum One
Moderated by Tatiana Lee, Hollywood Inclusionist, RespectAbility

Websites are now the front lobbies of our organizations, and social media is fast supplanting the more traditional ways that our organizations connect with the public. Our research shows that organizations are not yet meeting basic requirements for accessibility, like captioned videos, screen reader-friendly designs, and photo description / alt-text. This online workshop gives a nonprofit everything it needs to know to open its digital door. [continue reading…]

RespectAbility has a fabulous opportunity for two amazing women with disabilities who are currently looking for jobs! She/they must be:

1. A woman or nonbinary individual with a disability (visible and/or nonvisible)
2. Currently living on a low income (below median level)
3. A college graduate
4. Seeking employment in NYC in any of the following arenas:
   • Nonprofit Management
   • Communications
   • Public Policy
5. Able, willing, and excited to leave NYC for a 9-week fellowship program in the D.C. area (Rockville, MD).
6. Available to temporarily relocate to the D.C. area (Rockville, MD) for a start date of January 27th (through May 1st).

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Speakers:
Kristin Gilger, Director, National Center on Disability and Journalism
Dr. Donna R. Walton, Ed.D., Founder and President, Divas with Disabilities, Inc.
Moderated by Lauren Appelbaum, Vice President, Communications, RespectAbility

The use of certain words or phrases can express bias either intentionally or unintentionally. The National Center on Disability and Journalism (NCDJ) provides the industry’s only disability language style guide. The guide is intended for journalists, communication professionals and members of the general public who are seeking the appropriate and accurate language to use when writing or talking about people living with disabilities. The guide covers general terms and words on physical disabilities, hearing and visual impairments, mental and cognitive disabilities and seizure disorders. Beyond specific language, learn from The Divas With Disabilities Project on how to ensure your storytelling is inclusive of people with disabilities, while avoiding inspiration porn.

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RespectAbility hosted a Holiday Party for our supporters, partners and team! Check back soon for photos from the event.

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Speakers:
Emily Harris, Principal, Harris Strategies
Risa Jaz Rifkind, Director, Civic Engagement and Marketing, ADA 25 Advancing Leadership
Moderated by Randall Duchesneau, Board of Advisors, RespectAbility

More than 1 in 5 people in the US report having a disability. Yet, people with disabilities are underrepresented in key civic leadership positions. For example, only one percent of the Chicago region’s nonprofit board seats are filled by people with disabilities. A large percentage of nonprofits RespectAbility surveyed agree that the best way to ensure inclusion of all identities in programming, people with lived experiences must have a seat at the table. As a natural part of the human experience, disability is part of any diversity commitment. This session is for nonprofit professionals engaged with both board and volunteer relations and HR management to start the journey from recruiting to promoting people with disabilities starting with volunteer positions of leadership including board members.

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Speakers:
Emily Harris, Principal, Harris Strategies
Victor Pineda, President, World Enabled and Senior Advisor, RespectAbility
Moderator: Franklin Anderson, Manager of Inclusive Philanthropy and Development, RespectAbility

Organizational representatives will be given an accessibility checklist and be taught how to use it. Although 72 percent of nonprofit organizations say they have a policy of nondiscrimination against people with disabilities, too few take simple steps to make their programming truly accessible. For example, fewer than 60 percent of their events are always held in physically accessible spaces. Fewer than one-third (30 percent) offer opportunities for participants at public events to request accommodations like sign language interpreters, live captioning or food allergy alternatives. This session trained organizations to ensure that their practices match their principles so that their organizations can benefit from the talents and perspectives of people with disabilities, just like anyone else.

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Speakers:
Donna Meltzer, CEO, the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD)
Candace Cable, California Workforce Program Manager, RespectAbility
Moderated by Anthony Brown, Communications Fellow, RespectAbility

How has disability been defined in different historical eras? What has it meant to be disabled in the 20th century? How and why did disability movements for social and political change develop? Who have been the major national and local leaders? What are the major acts of legislation that have defined the rights of disabled Americans? What are equal access and universal design? How do these concepts depart from previous American ideas about civil rights and equality?

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Speakers:
Hon. Steve Bartlett, Chair, RespectAbility
Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi, President, RespectAbility
Tatiana Lee, Hollywood Inclusionist, RespectAbility

Get an overview of who makes up the more than 60 million people who live with some form of physical, cognitive, sensory, mental health or other disability in America. Gain a basic understanding of how disability intersects with multiple content areas, from employment and poverty to criminal justice reform and education. You also will receive 10 key tips on how you can welcome, respect and include people with disabilities in your important work.

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