USBLN - The US Business Leadership Network
Organization size: 15 employees
Key product/service items: Vocational and educational training for people with disabilities
Accessibility website overview: The website gives an overview of USBLN's activities in advocating for disability rights in the work place. There are dedicated sections for the program and networks affiliated with the organization as well as news, events and publications features.
Key statements on ICT product and services accessibility: The US Business Leadership Network® (USBLN®) is the national disability organization that serves as the collective voice of over 60 Business Leadership Network affiliates across North America, representing over 5,000 employers. The USBLN® helps build workplaces, marketplaces, and supply chains where people with disabilities are respected for their talents, while supporting the development and expansion of its BLN affiliates. The USBLN® recognizes and supports best practices in the employment and advancement of people with disabilities; the preparedness for work of youth and students with disabilities; marketing to consumers with disabilities; and contracting with vendors with disabilities through the development and certification of disability-owned businesses.
BLN affiliates are business organizations headed by a lead employer who exemplifies these practices and shares experiences with other members-employers-within the state or region. These activities include career fairs, disability mentoring and internship programs, and training programs including disability business etiquette, accommodation, and other disability issues deemed significant to employers. Businesses join BLN affiliates to learn how to expand their diversity recruiting efforts to include people with disabilities - not as a social model but as a business case to recruit talent and better serve their customers. BLN successes serve the workplace, marketplace, supplier chain and the economy.
Key areas of accessibility work:
Publication of ‘Leading Practices on Disability Inclusion’: Through the Leading Practices on Disability Inclusion initiative, the US Business Leadership Network (USBLN®) and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce invited business leaders to share their successful disability inclusion strategies. This publication highlights successful strategies that can be used by businesses of all sizes to create a more inclusive workplace, marketplace, and supply chain.
Disability Supplier Diversity Program: offers businesses that are owned by an individual(s) with a disability, including service disabled veterans, an exciting opportunity to increase their access to potential contracting opportunities with major corporations, government agencies, and one another. Through the USBLN® DSDP, your business can obtain Disability-Owned Business Enterprise Certification and get connected to a nationwide network of corporate and government procurement professionals, disability advocates, and other certified disability-owned businesses.
US SME Toolkit: The US SME Toolkit is a cutting-edge set of assets launched by the International Finance (IFC) of the World Bank and IBM to help women, minority and other constituent-owned businesses implement sustainable business management practices in the United States. This new section focuses on the needs of businesses owned by Persons with Disabilities and service disabled veterans.
National public education campaign titled, "I Am, I Can, I Do: The campaign includes a series of 30 and 60 second Public Service Announcements (PSAs) showcasing people with disabilities who 'Do!' The campaign's inclusion of many vibrant young people with disabilities conveys the value that people with disabilities bring to the workplace, marketplace and supply chain plus sends a message to youth with disabilities to aspire to their 'dream' careers.
2012 USBLN 15th Annual Conference & Expo: This conference brings corporate, government, disability-owned businesses and BLN affiliates together to create workplaces, marketplaces, and supply chains where people with disabilities are fully included as professionals, customers and entrepreneurs.
Organization website: http://www.usbln.org
Contact information:
US Business Leadership Network (USBLN®)
1501 M Street, NW – 7th Floor
Washington, DC 20005
Tel: +1-800-706-2710
Fax: +1-800-706-1335
Email: info@usbln.org