Reducing Barriers for Deaf Employees During COVID-19

man wearing face mask creates barriers for deaf employees

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 […]

Deaf Culture Quick Guide

effective ASL interpreter sitting on bench with a woman who knows sign language

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 […]

How to Be a Good Business Mentor

A man and a woman looking at a computer screen

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 […]

Creating an Accessible Conference Room Space

A group of people, including a woman in a wheelchair, working at a conference table

Did you know that Americans spend an average of five hours per week sitting in meetings? In fact, nearly 11 million meetings happen in the U.S. every single day. While most of those meetings are happening virtually right now, many people will eventually be going back to working in office settings. Creating conference rooms that […]

Remote ASL Interpretation vs In-Person ASL Interpretation

ASL interpreter signs

Deaf and Hard of Hearing people have a few different options for communicating in the workplace or at events. Some prefer real-time transcription services while others may favor text phones and video relay services. However, one of the most effective means of communication for Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals is sign language interpretation. An […]

Understanding What Reasonable Accommodation Means

office with reasonable accommodation requests

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, all employees have a right to reasonable accommodations to do their jobs. While this act empowers people with disabilities to be successful and even excel in the workplace, the term “reasonable accommodation” is vague. Simply put, a reasonable accommodation is a change or addition to a typical process that […]

Become a Leader in Accessibility

office space attempts to be leader in accessibility

Creating a work environment that values accessibility for all employees is more important than ever. We are working towards a world where everyone is able to participate in the workplace and have equal access to information and resources. If becoming a leader in accessibility is a goal for your organization, the tips below can help […]

How to Support Veteran-Owned Businesses

man poses for a picture for his veteran-owned businesses

May is Military Appreciation Month. It is a time for us to reflect on the hard work that our military does every day to help preserve our freedom and keep us safe. This month, we are especially grateful veterans who have bravely served our country and are continuing to serve differently as civilians. People who […]