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The Great Lakes Business Leadership Network web-site is now up and running. The site contains information on the Network's mission in addition to providing resources to employers.
Please visit today!
www.GreatLakesBLN.org
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Upcoming Events
June 8, 2011
BEST PRACTICES MEETING
11:00am - 1:00pm
The H Hotel
Midland
September 21, 2011
BEST PRACTICES MEETING
11:00am - 1:00pm
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Great Lakes Business Leadership Members:
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Leading Practices on Disability Inclusion
 The USBLN is pleased to release this joint booklet with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce entitled Leading Practices on Disability Inclusion.
The booklet highlights 20 successful corporate strategies that can be used by businesses of all sizes to create a more inclusive workplace, marketplace and supply chain.
Real-life examples, such as those outlined in the booklet, are important to help businesses realize the wide range of opportunities available and the potential for replicating success. The companies and leaders featured in the publication provide valuable insights on the successes they have realized through the inclusion of people with disabilities in all aspects of their corporate enterprises as well as in their marketing.
In addition to these effective strategies, an assessment is included as a tool to initiate or enhance employers' disability-friendly corporate practices.
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Employer Assistance & Resource Network (EARN)
Cornell University's Employment and Disability Institute has established a National Technical Assistance Center for employers on employment of people with disabilities. Funded by the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), the purpose of the Center is to conduct innovative research, assist ODEP in developing demand-side policy, and share best practices with employers on the recruitment, hiring, retention and advancement of people with disabilities.
 Click the image to link with the National Technical Assistance Center.
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Disability Resources
June 8th Best Practices Meeting
In response to Great Lakes BLN Members' requests, we will be discussing the following topics at our next meeting:
- Supporting Career Development of Youth with Disabilities
- Facility Accessibility
- Exceeding Expectations of Customers with Disabilities.
Please feel free to invite representatives from your Human Resources Department, or other staff involved in the hiring process.
Our next Best Practices Meeting is Tuesday, June 8th, from 11:00am - 1:00pm at the H Hotel, 111 W. Main Street, in Midland. Lunch will be provided by the Dow Chemical Company. If you are interested in attending, please RSVP to Linda Leahy at leahy@dnmm.org or 989-835-4041.
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Member Spotlight
ZENTX MEDIA GROUPZENTX Media Group is a full-service graphics provider, offering a diverse range of custom graphics, including graphic design, exhibits, printing, signage and custom fabrication. Since 1997, owners and Mike and Mark Wenz have utilized creativity, innovation and enthusiasm to provide services and products that exceed expectations and produce fresh results for customers. ZENTX received the Emerging Business Award at the Midland Area Chamber of Commerce's 72nd Annual meeting and awards breakfast. Not only has ZENTX expanded its product offerings, but it has expanded its employment, growing from a four-person operation to twelve full-time employees, with plans for additional positions. It is this growth that led ZENTX to the Great Lakes BLN. "As we continue to grow, we have to look to our future success," said Beth Bauer, Account Development Specialist. "We joined the Great Lakes BLN in order to find out how to do it right; to utilize best practices in terms of hiring people with disabilities."ZENTX Media Group's main office is at 145 Washington Street in Freeland. They can be reached at 989-695-6770. |
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Senator Seeks to Increase Employment of People With Disabilities
 Last month, Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) gave the keynote address at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Corporate Disability Employment Summit. Harkin called on the CEOs and business owners in the audience to join him in his goal of increasing the number of disabled Americans in the workforce from 4.9 million today to 6 million in 2015. Harkin said, "During this recession, adults with disabilities have been leaving the labor force at a rate more than 10 times the rate of adults without disabilities. This disturbing trend line ...has been accompanied by increases in applications for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits, which have grown from an average of 200,000 new applications per month at the beginning of 2008 to an average of close to 250,000 per month by the end of 2010. "If we work together, I believe we can set a realistic goal of increasing the number of adults with disabilities participating in the labor force from 4.9 million, today, to 6 million by 2015.I want your ideas and I am asking for your collaboration so that our policies are producing real results on the ground - real results that become jobs for people with disabilities and a strong, talented and loyal workforce for businesses. If there are federal policies that are getting in the way of your efforts, I want to hear about those too so we can do something about them. Making a real impact on disability employment numbers is one of my top priorities and will remain so as long as I am in the Senate." Click here to read Senator Harkin's speech. The Senate HELP Committee (Health, Education, Labor, & Pensions) held a hearing on employment of people with disabilities, and a captioned video is available here. |
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Great Lakes Business Leadership Network
Promoting Inclusion in Workplaces, Marketplaces and Supply Chains
Great Lakes Business Leadership Network
1705 South Saginaw Road
Midland, Michigan 48640
989-835-4041
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