Understanding the EEOC Complaint Process
Receiving an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) complaint against your company or agency can be stressful, time-consuming, and expensive. Additionally, if word gets out about the complaint, it can harm your reputation. The good news is that there are ways to resolve the case outside of the EEOC so that your employee gets what he […]
Accommodating Blind and Visually Impaired Employees During COVID-19
Back in March, most of us thought that we would be back to “normal life†by May or June. Unfortunately, though, it looks like coronavirus is around to stay. Some people are beginning to head back to offices now. While social distancing and adhering to new rules in the office may be simple for many, […]
Get to Know the Baltimore Deaf Community
September is International Deaf Awareness Month! In Maryland, we have the privilege of being surrounded by the richness of the Deaf community. The Maryland School for the Deaf has two campuses and a short drive to Washington DC is Gallaudet University, the world’s only university designed to be barrier-free for Deaf and Hard of Hearing […]
Reducing Barriers for Deaf Employees During COVID-19
COVID-19 has changed the way we work, from offices and organizations moving towards a completely remote model to essential businesses implementing social distancing and new hygiene practices. While these measures are pivotal for public health during the pandemic, they are posing brand new challenges for those with diversabilities (diverse abilities), including the Deaf community. As […]
4 Things You Need to Know About Diversability in the Workplace
A diverse workplace is beneficial for everyone. When you hire people who have different backgrounds and a wide variety of experiences, you get different perspectives. These perspectives can help you relate better to your clients and customers and even improve your offerings. If you have been considering overhauling your diversity and inclusion policies, there are […]
Deaf Culture Quick Guide
Shared experiences and similar backgrounds create bonds between us that form a culture. In fact, culture is defined by Oxford Languages as “the customs, arts, social institutions, and achievements of a particular nation, people, or other social group.†As a tight-knit social group with a unique language, it makes sense that the Deaf community would […]
All About the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
July 26th marks the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), signed into law by President George H.W. Bush in 1990. According to ADA.gov, the act “prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in employment, state and local government, public accommodations, commercial facilities, transportation, and telecommunications.” The ADA was a huge step forward […]
What You May Not Know About Minority-Owned Businesses
Applied Development is a minority-owned business with an interest in supporting other minority-owned businesses, especially in the Baltimore area. 2020 has been a turbulent year for all small businesses, but for minority businesses in particular. Shedding light on these companies and understanding their needs and how they operate has never been more important than it […]
How to Be a Good Business Mentor
A mentor/mentee relationship is a special one. Mentees look up to their mentors for advice, knowledge, and skills in the business world. This puts a large responsibility on the business mentor to provide expertise in their field and work to build a productive relationship with their mentee. If you are currently a mentor or you […]
Encouraging Self-Identification of Diversability for Your Employees
The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Program (OFCCP) recently released an updated version of the SF-256 (Self-Identification of Disability) form. Federal contractors are required to implement the new form by August 4th, 2020, which will be valid through March 31st, 2023. The SF-256 is a good tracking tool for government contractors who are interested in […]