How You Can Support Local Minority-Owned Businesses
The City of Baltimore recently received $2 billion in funding from the Department of Commerce specifically to support local minority-owned business development. This includes black-owned businesses and women-owned businesses. At Applied Development, we are proud to be woman-owned, black-owned and veteran-owned, making this cause close to our hearts. In light of this recent grant, we […]
How Digital Accessibility Benefits Everyone
Digital accessibility has been a hot topic for a while now. However, in the last decade or so, it has become even more notable and prominent. People are increasingly using digital resources for both work and leisure, leading to a noticeable gap in digital accessibility.  It is first important to acknowledge that digital accessibility does […]
Cultural Sensitivity in the Workplace
The United States has long been called the melting pot of the world due to the large cultural diversity of our country. Living in a multicultural nation gives us the opportunity to learn from others and see things from different perspectives – but in some cases, it can also lead to prejudice. The past year […]
For the 3rd Time, Applied Development Ranks on the 2021 Inc. 5000, With Three-Year Revenue Growth of 214% Percent
Inc. magazine revealed this week that Applied Development is No. 2,062 on its annual Inc. 5000 list, the most prestigious ranking of the nation’s fastest-growing private companies. The list represents a unique look at the most successful companies within the American economy’s most dynamic segment – its independent small businesses. Intuit, Zappos, Under Armour, Microsoft, […]
4 Ways to Prevent Unconscious Bias in the Workplace
Introduction When workplaces lack diversity, it is often a result of unconscious bias. While unconscious bias is very rarely intentionally harmful (hence the “unconscious” part), it can create an environment lacking in equity and inclusion. Preventing unconscious bias is possible, but in order to do so, you need to recognize it first and understand how […]
Understanding Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employment
Introduction Often, the terms affirmative action and equal opportunity are used interchangeably. However, the two have distinct and separate meanings. Both are important in the workplace, especially for government agencies and contractors, who are held to a high standard of equity and diversity. Diving into deeper definitions of affirmative action and equal opportunity employment can […]
Testing 508 Compliance for Your Website
For government agencies as well as government contractors, 508 compliance of your website is critical. Websites need to be easily accessible for people with disabilities, both physical and cognitive. When building websites, Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 compliance requires a strong focus on building accessibility from the website inception. If you already […]
7 Tips for Working with a Technical Writing Company
Working with a technical writing company is an important part of streamlining your strategic communications plan. Any technical writing for your organization, from instruction manuals to video tutorials, need to reflect your mission, vision, and tone. You want to make sure that you are working with a technical writing expert that understands how your organization […]
What Does an Outreach and Advocacy Specialist Do?
Outreach and advocacy specialists are critical to the diversability (diverse ability) community. They provide much-needed services and help individuals speak up for themselves and handle issues related to their disabilities. Moreover, advocacy and outreach specialists provide information to the wider community to help people understand more about the challenges of people living with disabilities. What […]
How Social Media Connects the Diversability Communities
Social media has been connecting people since its inception. Through platforms like MySpace and LiveJournal, people with similar interests were able to link up virtually and begin creating online communities. Over the years, these platforms have evolved to become more inclusive and expand communities to wider audiences. One community that has been positively impacted by […]