Including Disability in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives: A Research-Based Tool

“To be truly inclusive, organizations need to ensure they are including people with disabilities.” A research-based tool from the Employer Assistance and Resources Network on Disability Inclusion (EARN) helps employers to achieve that goal by incorporating disability-inclusion practices into their diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) planning. This resource, developed based on research conducted by Cornell University’s Center for Advanced Human Resources Studies (CAHRS), provides a roadmap for including employees with disabilities in different phases of the employment life cycle, from recruiting and hiring to retaining and fostering career advancement and professional development. Strategies offered cover how to support initiatives that sustain, advance, and measure employment policies and practices “to ensure that they are inclusive, welcoming and accessible for everyone, including people with disabilities.” EARN provides support to both public and private employers. To explore this tool and learn specific steps to take to achieve DEIA goals, visit EARN’s website page on Including Disability in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Priorities: Building A Maturity Model. A screen reader accessible pdf version of the guide is available here.