Disability Employment Forum Planned On Inclusivity In The Workplace

Disability employment is the focus of an open panel discussion October 24th in downtown Indianapolis.

The city is nationally recognized as an inclusive community for disability employment, and the event features businesses and community members who have championed that effort.

Angie Vandersteen is with Tangram Business Resourcing, a local nonprofit that helps companies to establish an inclusive workforce.   

She says people with disabilities are as talented as those without.

“We want to make sure that employers also start looking differently at their employees who have disabilities and make sure they are on track to where they can have upward mobility as the same as anyone else.”

Dustin Gilmer is with the Office of Disability Affairs and says he hopes the event will generate more conversation.

"Not only does it highlight the important individuals that are striving to make an effort to include people with disabilities or remove those barriers, but we wanted to see how we can continue to encourage the community to be more inclusive in their employment efforts."

Companies represented on the panel include Community Health Network, Dauby O’Connor and Zaleski, LLC., Eskenazi Health, Bosma Enterprises, and Old National Bank.

The Mayor's Advisory Council on Disability is hosting the 2018 Access and Inclusion Awards following the panel discussion at the Indianapolis Arts Garden, 5:00pm-7:00pm, where Mayor Joe Hogsett will recognize individuals and companies who support and celebrate people with disabilities.