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
Showcasing Your Brand for Talent Acquisition
October 20, 2026
Join leaders from KCADC and Lockton Companies to discover how modern businesses stand out to top talent. Learn how community support and authentic branding elevate recruiting and retention, how to rethink candidate qualification to stop missing competent talent, and how to modernize your onboarding. Most importantly, see how seamlessly integrating these workforce trends into your disability inclusion strategy creates a distinct competitive advantage for attracting and keeping great people.
Amy Lee Sewell, SVP, Sr. Talent Acquisition Manager, Lockton Companies
Untapped Veteran Pipelines
November 17, 2026
Continuing our workforce series, veteran ERG and Talent leaders from Labcorp and Black & Veatch explore how veterans drive business success when companies actively support their growth. Discover how to integrate veteran and disability inclusion efforts, remove policy barriers, and adjust qualification methods to capture hidden talent. Plus, learn how retention and engagement data can uncover critical insights to keep both veterans and individuals with disabilities thriving in your organization.
Previous Network Meetings
Accessibility, AI & the Future of Marketing
August 18, 2026
Jessica Lopez, CDI Digital Accessibility & Marketing Consultant, explored how accessibility can be built into digital marketing from the start rather than treated as a separate compliance task. The session examined how choices around brand visuals, social media content, campaign language, digital tools, and AI-assisted workflows can affect who is reached, who may be excluded, and how organizations can create more accessible and inclusive communication.
What the Deaf? Understanding Deaf Culture & Becoming Better Allies
July 21, 2026
Through personal stories and lived experiences, Carly Weyers and Sarah Tubert of the What the Deaf?! podcast introduced participants to Deaf culture and the importance of inclusion in the workplace and community. The session explored language, cultural norms, identity, common misconceptions, communication barriers, and workforce experiences while offering practical ways individuals and organizations can become stronger allies and advocates for Deaf inclusion.
Disability ERG Foundations: Build Connection, Engagement, and Business Impacts
June 16, 2026
This CDI Disability Inclusion Network meeting explored how effective Disability Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) can strengthen workplace culture and business performance. Participants discussed how disability ERGs help employees build connection, trust, and a stronger sense of support while also giving leaders valuable insight into workplace policies, benefits, culture, products, and customer experiences. The conversation also examined how well-supported ERGs can contribute to talent attraction and retention, professional growth, recruiting, marketing, innovation, and broader disability inclusion efforts across an organization.
Military and Disability Inclusive Cultures
May 19, 2026
Federal contractors continue to navigate shifting expectations. While changes to EO 11246 have created uncertainty, VEVRAA and Section 503 remain important considerations—and so does the opportunity to strengthen workforce outcomes through veteran and disability inclusion.
In this practical network meeting, Meaghan Walls of CDI and Rob Arndt of Buffer Springs broke down what matters now, what may be coming next, and how organizations can stay focused on strategies that align with their business goals.
The session offered clear insight into current requirements, potential changes, and practical ways to connect veteran and disability inclusion efforts to measurable workforce impact.
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.