FEB EEO Disability & Inclusion and Disabilities Awareness/Employment Symposium

June 6, 2012

Kristen Medley-Proctor, Ph.D.Social Security Administration

LEVERAGING DIVERSITY WITH UNTAPPED TALENT

Employing People with Disabilities

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Agenda

E

A

S

Y

Why Untapped Talent?

3Source: DOL BLS

The E.A.S.Y. Method

INDIVIDUAL ORGANIZATIONAL

E EXPECT EXPERIENCE

A ABILITY ACCOUNTABILITY

S SUPPORT

Y YOU

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EXPERIENCE

Making a Cultural Shift

Why Culture?

Components of an organization’s culture can and will preclude the success of a new program, process, strategy, or vision—even those that would clearly benefit the organization.

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Our Collective Experience

What cultural components can and have thwarted the success of Diversity and Inclusion programs?

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Cultural Change Is . . .• Deliberate• Active• Behavioral and Attitudinal• Iterative• Impacted by/Impacts:

– Leadership and Decision Making– Structures– Processes and Systems– People

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ACCOUNTABILITY

Leadership Commitment

Accountability

• Champion

• Define, Monitor, and Reward

• Integrate and Acculturate

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Champion• Articulate a Vision

• Communicate– Top Down– Bottom Up– Sideways

• Develop and Implement a Plan11

Define, Monitor, and Reward

• Set Goals, Objectives, and Performance Targets– Process-oriented– Results-oriented

• Monitor Performance and Course Correct

• Acknowledge and Reward Milestones and Results 12

Integrate/Acculturate

• Integrate Vision into the Organization– “Initiative” vs. Business Process

• Acculturate vs. Assimilate• Us, Them, We

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SUPPORT

Managers

Key Elements of Support

• Centralized/Coordinated Programs

• Direction and Education

• Quality Resources

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Centralized/Coordinated Programs

• Selective Placement

• Reasonable Accommodations

• Fully Vetted Referrals

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Direction and Education

Before •Training

During •Toolkit

After •Welcome Package17

Quality Resources

• Databases

• Websites

• Video on Demand

ACCURATE COMPREHENSIVE ENGAGING

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SUPPORT

Employees

Key Elements of Support

• Access to Information

• Targeted and Funded Resources

• Community

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Access to Information

• EWD Gateway

• AID

• RA Wizard

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EWD Gateway

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AID

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Regional Website

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• Online process for employees to make RA requests– Magnifications

and/or screen reader software

– Voice recognition software

– Captioned telephones

– TTY/TDD devices– Braille displays– Assistive services

RA Wizard

Targeted and Funded Resources

• Assistive Technology and Adaptive Devices

• Training

• FTE Pool

• Sign Language Interpreter Services

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Community

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It’s E.A.S.Y

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YOU ORGANIZATIONINDIVIDUAL

Questions

Thank You!Kristen.Medley-Proctor@ssa.gov