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Add Us In Expert Strategy Meeting Agenda
Office of Disability Employment Policy, U.S. Department of Labor
Wednesday, February 23, 2011 (8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.)
C5521 - Room 4

To leverage knowledge from national experts on the intersection of cultures (diversity, disability, and business,) and identify what policies and practices need to be set in place to increase the capacity of minority-owned small businesses to employ adults and youth with disabilities.

8:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. - Sign In

9:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Welcome - Assistant Secretary Kathleen Martinez, U.S. Department of Labor

Opening Remarks - Deputy Secretary Seth Harris, U.S. Department of Labor

Introduce Mr. Dale &8211; Assistant Secretary Kathleen Martinez, U.S. Department of Labor

Diversity & Disability &8211; Associate Director Kareem Dale, White House Office of Public Engagement & Special Assistant to the President for Disability Policy

Add Us In: The Vision and the Goal &8211; Assistant Secretary Kathleen Martinez, U.S. Department of Labor

9:30 a.m. - 9:40 a.m. Laying the Groundwork Deborah Dagit, Vice President, Diversity Merck

9: 40 a.m. - 10:35 a.m.
Discussion 1: An Intersection of Cultures (Diversity, Disability and Business)

  • What is business culture? What is diversity culture? What is disability culture?
  • How are diversity, disability, and business cultures intertwined? Where could connections be stronger?
  • Are there barriers to weaving these cultures together?

Guiding Panel: Steve Hanamura, President, Hanamura Consulting (Facilitator); Robin Shaffert, Sr. Director, Corporate Social Responsibility American Association of People with Disabilities; Mary Olushoga, Program Manager, Count Me In for Women's Economic Independence; Derrick Willis, Project Director, Institute for Human Development, University of Missouri Kansas City

10:35 a.m. - 10:50 a.m. Break

10: 50 a.m. - 12:10 p.m.
Discussion 2: Creating/Implementing a Strategic and Inclusive Approach to Diversity (Working Models)

  • What are the models for success? What are the common threads in these models? What are some of the models' unique characteristics? What is missing (support for businesses, coordination among providers, etc.)?
  • It has been shown that diversity drives revenue. How can we re-image equity and access to build on business' interests in diversifying its talent to include people with disabilities?
  • What policies and effective practices should ODEP promote to advance the full potential of diversity and disability and demonstrate how both are intertwined and contribute to business excellence? (Are we using the "right" terms and approach?)
  • In proposing a systems transformation framework (for business, workforce, etc.), what can businesses, associations, education institutions, ally groups, and Add Us In consortia do to support efforts towards greater diversity in the workforce (including disability)?
  • How should businesses, associations, ally groups, and the Add Us In consortia prioritize their efforts? What efforts should be pursued in the short-term? What are the long-term priorities?

Guiding Panel: Ted Childs (Facilitator) Justin Nelson, President and Co-Founder, National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce; Addison Witt, Head Honcho, Manager, Coach, Producer, Witt Entertainment Management; Jill Houghton, Acting Executive Director, US Business Leadership Network; Janet Baker, Workforce Director, Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce

12:10 p.m. - 12:30 p.m. Next Steps and Closing
Assistant Secretary Kathy Martinez, U.S. Department of Labor and Jason McCall, Special Assistant to the National Director of the Minority Business Development Agency, U.S. Department of Commerce