Building Stronger Workforces Through Disability Inclusion

More than 1 in 4 adults in the United States report having a disability, yet in Illinois, people with disabilities face an unemployment rate more than 50 percent higher than workers without disabilities. Illinois also ranks second nationally in granting certificates that allow employers to pay workers with disabilities below minimum wage, which perpetuates inequity and limits economic independence.

In Illinois, momentum for change has been building for decades. With the Dignity in Pay Act requiring all Illinois employers to pay workers with disabilities at or above minimum wage by 2029, businesses are asking: What does an integrated workforce truly look like, and how can it strengthen our operations?

Designed for business owners and leaders, this conversation will provide practical guidance for building workplaces that are equitable, compliant, and stronger because of inclusion.

What you’ll learn

• What integrated workforces look like, and why they benefit employees with and without disabilities

• Lessons from successful, scalable models of inclusive employment

• How employers can prepare for the end of subminimum wages while remaining competitive and still achieving their revenue and output goals

Moderator

• Carrie Shepherd- Chicago Reporter, Axios

Panelists

• Theresa Mah- Illinois State Representative and co-sponsor of the Dignity in Pay Act

• Brad Cohen- Director of Growth, AutonomyWorks

• Carter Sanders- Associate, HB Threads, Easterseals Serving Chicagoland & Greater Rockford

Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres will be served.

Please contact Dorothy Dohoney at ZGRvaG9uZXkgfCBlYXN0ZXJzZWFsc2NoaWNhZ28gISBvcmc= with questions or to request accommodations.

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