Relay Resources Hosts One Community Fundraiser to Celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM)

Business leaders from multiple sectors will gather to learn how to become more inclusive of people with disabilities in the workplace

Relay Resources, a leading employer of people with disabilities in the Pacific Northwest, is set to host its annual One Community event on Wednesday, October 25, in celebration of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM.) The fundraiser will benefit Relay’s Employee Resources and Support Program. 

Business leaders throughout Metro Portland will gather to learn about disability inclusion in the workplace. The keynote address will be delivered by nationally recognized speaker Sarah Kirwan, MSPA, of Eye Level Communcations, a disability consultant and public administration professional with more than 25 years of experience with disability education on healthcare administration, communications, training, and policy. 

“While many organizations have recently reduced their support from diversity, equity, and inclusion work, Relay is committed to centering people with disabilities and including historically marginalized populations in an inclusive workplace,” said Dr. Jennifer Camota Luebke, Relay’s President & CEO. 

“Disability is often left out of the DEI conversation in many workplaces, but we aim to change that. We are dedicated to enhancing our disability education internally and to bringing disability inclusion best practices to organizations who are ready to learn how to better support their employees with and without disabilities.”  

All money raised at the event supports Relay’s Employee Resources and Support Program, which is designed to help people of all abilities thrive in the workplace. Relay’s approach acknowledges that disabilities can come in all forms, and each employee is additionally impacted by the intersectionality of life experiences, including mental health, trauma, race, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientations, ages, socio-economic status, cultural backgrounds, and lifestyles. Relay has created an environment of support, including traditional accommodations like ergonomic tools, extra breaks, or assistance transferring to a different shift or role when necessary, in addition to direct employee mental health support, like building resilience and developing workplace coping skills. Relay designs sensory accommodations, makes connections to outside resources like transportation, food and childcare, develops specialized disability awareness and de-escalation training and suicide and substance abuse interventions. 

The event is presented by The Standard and Northrup Corporation, with special thanks to our gold sponsors, OnPoint Community Credit Union and the Port of Portland

Click here to see our other sponsors. Contact Relay directly to get involved next year. 

Click here to make a donation and support Relay’s One Community event. 

Source: Relay Resources