Changing the Workforce Landscape

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July 28, 2021

1:00pm-2:00pm EST

As we strive to build a more inclusive society, it is important to take concrete steps beyond providing person-centered supports for people with disabilities. We must act to fully engage people with disabilities so that they can guide inclusive supports. Join us for this webinar to learn how one provider organization in Alaska is progressing in this direction by positioning people with disabilities to assume leadership roles. As leaders they are uniquely positioned to assist in steering and informing the agency’s direction.

The Arc of Anchorage (The Arc) hired an advocate with disabilities to work alongside agency leadership and senior management to offer a first-person perspective as a person with a disability. The selection of this advocate was fueled by a desire to provide the highest level of service to the people supported, as well as to represent the agency in the community. As the Advocacy & Outreach Manager, this team member is leading The Arc’s advocacy and education efforts on topics such as voting, human rights, inclusion initiatives and employment of people with disabilities. Webinar presenters will offer a real-life, in-depth look at an inclusive hiring success story, examining (1) how inclusive hiring aligns with the organization’s vision and strategic goals, (2) successful recruitment and retention practices, and (3) the impact of this experience on The Arc’s advocacy and service delivery.

A recording will be made available for registrants.

Presenters

Ric Nelson, Advocacy & Outreach Manager for The Arc of Anchorage, is a 37-year-old Alaskan man experiencing Cerebral Palsy. Ric has a Master’s degree in Public Administration and sits on multiple non-profit boards for organizations that work with people with disabilities. Ric joined The Arc with nearly a decade of service on the Alaska Governor’s Council on Disabilities and Special Education (GCDSE) and president of the non-profit Peer Power. Ric was a 2015 recipient of the Top 40 Under 40 award by the Alaska Journal of Commerce and honored by the National Association of People Supporting EmploymentFirst (APSE) with their National Personal Achievement award in 2016.

Lisa Nolan, Corporate Compliance Officer for The Arc of Anchorage, began her career in the disability field in 1990, spending the bulk of 30 years in the non-profit sector. She is a doctoral candidate in Public Administration with an emphasis in nonprofit management and leadership. Lisa feels honored to currently serve The Arc as Corporate Compliance Officer. She especially enjoys the high level of detail and teaching aspect of the position.