Disability Inclusion Network
Disability Inclusion Network Meetings
Turn Commitment into Measurable Progress—One Conversation at a Time
Build a Workplace Where Everyone Contributes
Creating a culture of disability inclusion can feel overwhelming—especially when you’re managing limited time, tight budgets, and the pressure to show results. But you don’t have to do it alone.
CDI’s Disability Inclusion Network Meetings are no-cost, one-hour virtual sessions that connect you with a supportive community of peers, experts, and business leaders—all committed to building inclusive, high-performing workplaces.
Each month, you’ll walk away with:
Practical strategies you can use right away
Real-world examples of what’s working
Insights to help you earn leadership buy-in
Tools to drive progress and position your company as a leader in disability inclusion
All CDI partners are encouraged to share session details across your organization. Invite anyone on your team who would benefit—there’s no limit on attendees per company.
New to CDI? You’re welcome to attend two sessions as a guest to see how this network can support your goals.
2026 Disability Inclusion Network Schedule
3rd Tuesday of each month, virtual via Microsoft Teams
10:00-11:00 am (Central Time)
January 20- February 17 – March 17 – April 21
May 19 – June 16 – July 21 – August 18 – October 20 – November 17
Military and Disability Inclusive Cultures
May 19, 2026
Federal contractors are facing shifting expectations. While changes to EO 11246 create uncertainty, VEVRAA and Section 503 remain—and so does the opportunity to strengthen your workforce.
In this practical session, Meaghan Walls (CDI) and Rob Arndt (Buffer Springs) break down what matters now—and what’s coming next.
You’ll gain clear insight into current requirements, potential changes, and how to align your veteran and disability inclusion efforts with your business goals.
More importantly, this session focuses on what drives results:
- Building a stronger talent pipeline
- Improving employee retention
- Strengthening your position as a leader in disability inclusion
Leave with practical, actionable steps to stay ahead—while creating measurable impact across your workforce.
Disability ERG Foundations: Build Connection, Engagement, and Business Impact
June 16, 2026
Disability Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) can strengthen workplace culture and business performance.
At their best, disability ERGs help employees connect, share experiences, and feel supported at work. That connection can improve engagement, retention, and trust across the organization.
Disability ERGs also give leaders practical insight into policies, benefits, workplace culture, products, and customer experiences. This helps companies make better decisions that reflect the needs of employees with disabilities and the people they serve.
For businesses, disability ERGs can support talent attraction, retention, and professional growth. They create opportunities for leadership, mentoring, skill-building, and stronger employee voice. They can also serve as strategic partners in recruiting, marketing, product development, and customer engagement.
In this CDI Disability Inclusion Network meeting, we’ll explore the foundations of effective disability ERGs and how they can move from connection to measurable impact.
Because disability ERGs are more than employee groups. When supported well, they become a driver of disability inclusion, innovation, engagement, and long-term business success.
What the Deaf? Understanding Deaf Culture & Becoming Better Allies
July 21, 2026
Through personal stories and lived experiences, this session offers an engaging introduction to Deaf culture and inclusion in the workplace and community. Carly Weyers and Sarah Tubert will share their journeys as Deaf individuals, highlighting real experiences with businesses, communication barriers, and workforce inclusion.
Participants will:
- Explore deaf culture including language, cultural norms, identity, and common misconceptions, and leave with
- Practical ways to become stronger allies and advocates for Deaf inclusion,
- Helping create more accessible, respectful, and inclusive environments within their organizations and disability inclusion efforts.
Presenters:
- Carly Weyers and Sarah Tubert with What the Deaf?! podcast
Accessibility, AI & the Future of Marketing
August 18, 2026
This session explores how accessibility lives within every part of a marketing strategy from the images we choose to the tools we use. We’ll examine how decisions around brand visuals, social content, campaign language, and AI-assisted workflows all shape who is reached, who is excluded, and who feels seen.
Presenter: Jessica Lopez – CDI, Digital Accessibility & Marketing Consultant
Previous Network Meetings
Inclusive Facilities from Access to Impact
April 21, 2026
In this case study–driven session, CDI explored what Facilities teams do and why their partnership is essential to creating inclusive events, improving employee access, and delivering a better customer experience.
Participants reviewed data-backed insights on how Facilities collaborates with HR, ERGs, and cross-functional leaders to turn disability inclusion strategy into action. The session also highlighted real-world examples of organizations influencing more inclusive facility planning.
Facilities leaders shared practical case studies that showed what strong collaboration looks like—and the impact it can have on employees, customers, and business outcomes.
This aligns with CDI’s focus on practical training, collaborative relationships, and resources that support disability inclusion across the workplace and marketplace.
Designing Inclusive Wellness
March 17, 2026
This session focused on how wellness and caregiving programs can strengthen workforce performance and support employee well-being.
Theresa Roma, Head of Insurance Solutions at Wellthy, shared how organizations are delivering scalable caregiving solutions across employers, health plans, and financial services.
She was joined by leaders from Guardian Life, including Gene Lanzoni and John-Ryan Blanchette, who highlighted how integrated wellness strategies can better support employees and caregivers.
Together, they explored practical approaches to aligning caregiving and wellness initiatives with business goals—helping organizations improve retention, engagement, and overall workforce performance.
Caregiving and the Workplace: What Employees Need Now
February 17, 2026
CDI recently hosted a fireside chat on caregiving and the modern workforce, exploring how caregiving responsibilities impact both employees and business performance.
Through live polling and discussion, participants gained insight into the pressures caregivers face—and how those challenges affect productivity and retention.
The session highlighted a critical takeaway: caregiver support is not just a benefit. It’s a strategic disability inclusion priority tied to talent, engagement, and workforce resilience.
Maximize Your CDI Partnership
January 20, 2026
CDI Board and team leaders kicked off the year by reflecting on the impact of 2025, sharing priorities for 2026, and offering personal perspectives on the value of advancing disability inclusion.
Attendees also heard from the three 2025 High Impact Award recipients, who shared how they are driving progress across the workplace, industry, and community.
Through their insights, participants explored how to deepen engagement, maximize partnership value, and advance disability inclusion across their organizations.
Veteran ERG Impact On Disability Inclusion
November 18, 2025
Andy Traub and Isleen Gimenez joined BufferSprings and Veteran ERG leaders from Blue Cross Blue Shield Kansas City and Jack Henry for a conversation on strengthening veteran engagement.
This session explored why incorporating a veteran focus into Employee Resource Group (ERG) strategies is critical to workforce performance and inclusion.
Participants gained insight into how organizations are aligning veteran initiatives with broader disability inclusion efforts—helping improve engagement, retention, and overall impact.
Creating Accessible Events
October 21, 2025
Meaghan Walls led this discussion with guest speakers Tracy and Stan Nice of Stancy Events, along with Lisa McBride and Monikka Colston from Lockton.
The session focused on how to create accessible workplace events, with practical strategies for improving accessibility in public venues, digital platforms, and hybrid event formats.
Speakers also explored how to approach event planning from an internal company perspective—ensuring accessibility is built into the process from the start.
A key theme throughout the conversation was the importance of applying universal design principles and asking the right questions to create inclusive experiences that foster a sense of belonging for all employees.
Technology & Disability Inclusion
August 19, 2025
Meaghan Walls and digital accessibility expert Jessica Lopez led a conversation on how technology can advance disability inclusion in the workplace.
From AI tools to accessibility solutions, the session highlighted practical strategies that improve both employee and customer experiences.
Participants explored how organizations are using technology to remove barriers, streamline processes, and strengthen disability inclusion efforts across the business.