How Including Leaders with Disabilities Creates Lasting Change

When the Chicago Jobs Council had an open board position to fill in 2017, executive director Carrie Thomas issued a call for qualified candidates who might be a good fit.

ADA 25 Advancing Leadership was able to connect Thomas to Erick Allen, a human resources professional and Advancing Leadership Member. Allen’s deep knowledge of human resources and his added perspective as a professional with a disability made him an ideal prospect for the nonprofit, which provides advocacy and training to move people from poverty to employment.

“Our mission is focused on people who are the most disconnected from work,” Thomas says. “But a lot of the people who work in our field, especially at the decision-making level, have never experienced difficulty in the labor market. Having a diverse set of experiences and perspectives on our board makes for a richer conversation and deeper understanding of the problems we are trying to solve.”

Allen became a member of Chicago Jobs Council’s board in summer 2017. The nonprofit’s mission and goals align perfectly with one of his chief interests: the intersection of work and people.

More than 10% of Chicagoans have a disability, yet less than 1% of nonprofit board seats in the region are filled by individuals with disabilities.

This connection would not have been possible without the Civic Connections Project. Since 2016, the Civic Connections Project of ADA 25 Advancing Leadership has tracked more than 100 civic and professional advancements of leaders with disabilities. Advancements can include being appointed to serve on a nonprofit board of directors or a public commission; getting a promotion at work or securing a new position elsewhere; and being selected for prestigious opportunities such as awards, fellowships and speaking engagements.

The Civic Connections Project exists to address the striking underrepresentation of individuals with disabilities in civic and professional leadership positions. More than 10% of Chicagoans have a disability, yet less than 1% of nonprofit board seats in the region are filled by individuals with disabilities.

“There are a lot of leadership programs in Chicago, but ADA 25 Advancing Leadership is the only one that intentionally builds this connective tissue in our community,” says Thomas. “Here was someone who was perfect for our board, and I don’t think we would have found each other if it weren’t for Advancing Leadership.”

From Connection to Impact

On May 23, Allen is teaming up with the Council’s Frontline Focus Training Institute to offer a training for workforce professionals on how to support individuals with disabilities in securing and succeeding in quality jobs. The training, Making Employment Accessible for All, falls right into Allen’s sweet spot.

“My goal for the training is to enhance participants’ ability to serve and promote the abilities of persons with disabilities,” Allen says. “Often when you talk to someone about supporting a professional with a disability, you get this deer-in-the-headlights look or hear something like, ‘We have automatic doors.’ That’s great, but what are the organization’s processes for requesting accommodations, submitting applications and evaluating employees? Is there bias involved? There is a list of things most organizations don’t have much awareness of. The training will aim to enhance that awareness and competency.”

Making Employment Accessible for All will cover a wide range of topics, from physical accessibility to recruitment and hiring practices that make workplaces more welcoming and equitable. The skills and practices taught play a critical role in reshaping a landscape where individuals with disabilities have the lowest employment rates of any demographic group.

“A lot of the people who work in our field, especially at the decision-making level, have never experienced difficulty in the labor market. Having a diverse set of experiences and perspectives on our board makes for a richer conversation and deeper understanding of the problems we are trying to solve.”

“The Americans with Disabilities Act has been on the books for almost my entire adult working life, but the employment rate of persons with disabilities hasn’t moved,” Allen says. “So we have more work to do, whether it’s supporting individuals or even promoting an atmosphere where people feel safe to self-identify.”

The difference Allen has already made as a member of Chicago Jobs Council’s board shows the positive change that becomes possible when Chicago’s leadership ranks are connected to individuals with disabilities.

“The impact will be felt by people served by the Council, and ultimately more people will get jobs, be retained and be promoted when both workforce developers and companies become informed about inclusion,” says Emily Harris, executive director of ADA 25 Advancing Leadership.

Want to learn how you can make your workplace more welcoming and accessible for people with disabilities? Sign up to attend Chicago Jobs Council’s Frontline Focus Training: Making Employment Accessible for All on May 23.

Are you seeking a talented leader to join your board, commission, task force or workplace? Do you know someone who would be a good fit for leadership opportunities and membership with ADA 25 Advancing Leadership? Visit ADA25chicago.org or contact Risa Rifkind at 312.616.8000 ext. 263 or rrifkind@cct.org to learn more.