Managers are the single most important factor in a team’s success and, according to Gallup, 70% of the variance in employee engagement. Therefore, it is safe to say that managers play a crucial role in fostering an inclusive environment where employees with disabilities can thrive.

While organizations certainly train managers on various employment laws and understanding the legal framework of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is important, the real impact comes from how managers partner with HR teams and leadership to create a culture of belonging for all employees.

The Power of Collaboration

Supporting employees with disabilities is not a responsibility that rests solely on the shoulders of HR. Effective support requires a strong partnership between managers and HR teams. Managers are often the first to recognize the needs of their team members and can work alongside HR to ensure those needs are met. This collaboration is essential for creating a supportive environment where employees with disabilities feel valued and empowered to contribute their best work.

Managers bring a deep understanding of their team’s dynamics, goals, and challenges. That, combined with HR expertise, can result in strategies that are both compliant with the law and aligned with the organization’s mission and values. This partnership allows for a more holistic approach to supporting employees with disabilities, focusing not just on compliance but on truly integrating inclusivity into the workplace culture.

Are you registered to vote on November 5th in the General Election? Registration closes for Indiana voters on October 7th!

At IndianaVoters.in.gov you can:

Don't know who's running? For more information on ballots and candidates running in your area, check out Vote411.org.

Indianadisabilityresourcefinder.org is an online resource designed to collect and organize contact and service information from providers across Indiana, giving you 24/7 access to the community resources aimed to improve your quality of life. The site is always in need of professionals, volunteers and organizations to contribute to our growing list of services and information.

There are three ways to become a resource for the FINDER community:

1. Share a link to a helpful website or service.

2. Upload an informative article or video.

3. Join FINDER as a Service Provider.

A simple four-step registration process for new FINDER contributors and providers is available at IndianaDisabilityResourceFINDER.org. All submissions are reviewed and verified prior to publication.

You can also claim a listing that already exists. Go to IndianaDisabilityResourceFINDER.org and search for your organization. On the provider page, you will see the following button:

Click that button and follow the instructions to claim. It's that easy!

We are happy to have members of the community use our universally designed meeting space for free. Periodically we supply the Community Food Pantries set up by Forward Indiana. We have a bin in our office to take donations for these pantries. If you're using our space and your group would like to help, bring us nonperishable food, hygiene items, formula, or winter supplies (hats, gloves, scarves, or hot hands) and we will be sure these valuable pantries are restocked.

The Gilmore Inclusive Arts Grant awards up to $25,000 to one applicant each year to support special projects focused on including people with disabilities in the local arts communities of Northeast Indiana. The application is currently open and closes September 27. For more information, go to our website.