2014 National Disability Employment Awareness Month Event

The PA Department of Labor & Industry, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR), a PA state agency that assists individuals with disabilities to prepare for, enter into, engage in or retain employment will be hosting a NDEAM breakfast about, “Building a Business Case for Hiring Individuals with Disabilities (IWDs)” at the Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh, 600 Commonwealth Pl, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 on Main Ballroom on the 2nd floor from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.  No Cost to attend BUT you must RSVP!!  I’m encouraging you to bring your HR Team (Up to 5 business members) to this event.    This event will be full of good discussion and information and a great opportunity to network!!  I look forward to seeing you there.

OVR will be having an exciting discussion with employers (federal contractor & subcontractor, human resource, talent acquisition managers and small business owners) and community based organizations on how to partner to create opportunities for individuals with disabilities seeking and maintaining employment. Vendors will be present throughout this event from various disability agencies to show the power of partnership and talk about current resources that employers can “tap” into to meet current hiring needs from the most underutilized talent pool.

The Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) offers business solutions and consultation services. OVR staff can help employers recruit and hire qualified employees, develop employee retention strategies and learn about disability-related issues. Today’s dynamic workforce is increasingly diverse. Employers must compete for highly skilled workers with the talents necessary to help their business grow and to be globally competitive.

Building a Business Case for Hiring Individuals with Disabilities (IWDs)

Tentative NDEAM Event Schedule:

7:30             Registration                                                                

8:00            Breakfast & Networking              

8:30            Executive Welcome, Melanie Harrington, Vibrant Pittsburgh President &CEO

8:45             Dr. C. Scott Wyatt, Keynote Speaker Carnegie Mellon University Tepper School of Business Visiting Assistant Teaching Professor Business Management Communication

9:45             Break      

10:00          CVS Health Business Case Leslie Ries, Senior Manager Workforce Initiatives Dept.

11:00            Lunch with Dave Harding: “Living Well with a Disability”

12:00           Innovation in the Workplace Panel

1:15              Break

1:25             OVR How-to-Guide Panel

2:45             Break

3:00            Workforce Dev. & Job Retention Case Studies Roundtables

RSVP by October 27, 2014 by calling 412-392-5949, Email mholl@pa.gov or through the link on the flyer.  Space is limited!  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Shannon Austin at (412) 392-4958.  Looking forward to seeing you on October 30, 2014!