Training for Your Workforce

The following topics are available for onsite or webinar training with your workforce. For cost, availability and other customized training, 
​contact Darla at dwilkerson@centerfordisabilityinclusion.org
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Disability Awareness Training

​This is general awareness training and an excellent place for any company to start as they build a more inclusive work culture.

Disability awareness is focused on building a foundation of mindfulness for attendees by using information on employment statistic for people with disabilities, a basic understanding of unconscious bias, myths and misconceptions about disability, accommodations, interview tips and disability etiquette. This training is designed for general employee training, newly hired employees and those who are responsible for diversity strategies within the company.
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"I co-lead an employee resource group at a healthcare tech start-up and we were looking for an organization to partner for disability training. We found the Center for Disability Inclusion and just by the number and granularity of the training they showed, I knew this was an organization we wanted to engage with. Meeting Darla was amazing, she is incredibly kind and walks through their mission and its importance to her. She helped us understand which training would be best and answered questions about partnerships. The training itself was amazing and the response from our peers was incredible. From the training validating their own feelings or realizations about disabilities to answering questions about stigma and helpful language tips, I would recommend this training to any company at any stage."
Bri Young
Lead of Data Operations
Artera

"Darla’s webinar on “Celebrating Difference Through Disability Awareness” aligned perfectly with our company’s diversity, inclusion, and equity initiative! We had a record number of employees attend who learned about how to respectfully engage with and respond to disability in the workplace."
 CrossFirst Bank

"I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Darla Wilkerson for some time, having served with her on regional diversity and inclusion committees related to equitable corporate practices and DEI thought-leadership.  In these settings, she has always found ways to share her subject matter expertise and DEI best practice in ways that are developmental and inspiring.  Recently, we welcomed Darla as the featured Disability Awareness Month speaker at our law firm where she provided uplifting, educational and practical information about how to recognize the many essential contributions that the disability community has made to the workforce and beyond. At this event, nearly 100 attendees learned from Darla as she explored the history of disability inclusion, the spectrum of disabilities and common myths, and provided practical tips and strategies for creating a more inclusive workplace. Her talk was well-received, and I would highly recommend her as a well-versed speaker on the topic of disability inclusion."
Vanessa Vaughn West
Director - Diversity & Inclusion
Pronouns: She, Her, Hers
Lathrop GPM LLP

Reducing the Stigma of Mental Illness in the Workplace

​A focus on mental health and how we can influence inclusion by reducing stigma

This training focuses on how we can influence change to reduce the stigma that many face who experience mental illness and provides an overview of how workplaces can be more inclusive. An estimated 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. experience a mental illness each year and while we may not always know it, every workplace has many employees who are experience mental health conditions. Attendees will learn basic mental health awareness, including myths and misconceptions about mental illness and strategies we can all implement to reduce bias and influence change in our work culture to reduce the stigmas of mental illness in the workplace.

"The training the Kansas City FBI received from Center for Disability Inclusion was very insightful. You did an excellent job with presenting the material in a clear and easy to understand manner. Your ability to answer questions during the Q&A segment showed that no question could stump you and spoke to your extensive knowledge within the disabilities community. I would recommend this training to all organizations."
 Steven Miller, FBI Diversity & Inclusion Coordinator

Mutual of Omaha asked the Center for Disability Inclusion to lead a presentation on reducing the stigma of mental illness in the workplace. The amount of positive feedback we have received from our associates from this session is outstanding! There are many misconceptions around mental health conditions and she was able to help us all raise our awareness and understanding of mental health. Darla created a safe space for everyone to ask questions, share experiences and help guide next steps for specific situations. It was a great way to influence change and grow allyship in this space. We came away with a better understanding of mental health conditions and tools to guide our conversations with more inclusive language going forward. I highly recommend bringing Darla in for training and education for inclusion in the workplace.
Jana Egan HR Consultant | Talent Acquisition

Neurodiversity in the Workplace: What It Is and What It is Not

A dispelling of myths around neurodiversity and general awareness and how to build a more inclusive workplace. 

Neurodiversity is often times misunderstood. This session provides definition to understand how vast this type of disability is experienced by many. Awareness leads to knowledge and knowledge to action that can promote a more inclusive workplace. This also includes tips for embracing Neurodiversity in the workplace and best practice in supporting employees who are neurodiverse. 
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"At Commerce Bank, we want our team members to feel a sense of belonging. We often start important dialogue with education so we invited Darla Wilkerson to present the Center for Disability Inclusion’s workshop Neurodiversity in the Workplace: What It Is and What It is Not. She debunked myths and bias around neurodiversity, provided information on building a more inclusive workspace and tailored the content to our needs. The session sparked meaningful conversations and is helping us explore how we can build a more inclusive workplace."
Lacy Haden-Peaches
Senior DEI Program Manager
Commerce Bank

Assistive Technology and Employment: Simpler Than You Think

This session expands on technology by exploring case studies of applications that support candidates and employees. 

Assistive technology is not all about the "tech", and its benefits for making employment more accessible are not limited to the workplace, and integration of AT and accommodations are less complicated than you think. This session will spotlight some case studies to explore the spectrum of assistive technology options and the breadth of applications for supporting an individual's employment journey inside and outside of the workplace. ​ 
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Disability Inclusion in the Workplace and Managing Employees

This training is designed for hiring managers, front line supervisors and others who manage employees.

​An excellent presentation that addresses the primary challenges managers face on a daily basis. How to communicate, how to interact,
how to address accommodations, and learning what other managers say about employees with disabilities. This training will give attendees “safe place” to ask those tough questions and get direct feedback to help strengthen skills when managing workers and creating a more inclusive work culture.
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Return to Work - Strategies for Supporting Employees

This training complements a company’s standard operating procedures.

It addresses how managers can utilize the interactive process, be supportive, and help the employee create a return to work plan that helps lead to a successful transition. ​This does not address worker's compensation issues, but rather addresses key indicators for a successful return to work. 

Interested in Training?

​Contact Darla Wilkerson/CEO dwilkerson@centerfordisabilityinclusion.org