The implementation of diversity and inclusion initiatives is not always easy, especially as there are competing priorities and execution is not always straightforward. Consequently, the conflicts between aspirations and reality are often prevalent. During this presentation, we will discuss how organizational leaders can promote the development of an inclusive and accessible organizations to narrow, if not eliminate, the gaps that have historically impacted employee and customer experiences.

Audiences will leave this interactive workshop with:

• Strategies to alleviate internal concerns regarding the costs associated with accessibility services;
• Tips to tie provision of services to organizational goals and leverage support from the top-down to accelerate accessibility in your organization; and
• Techniques to generate community awareness about your organization’s commitment to accessibility.

While organizations have made proactive efforts to provide individuals with a wide range of accommodations, these efforts may not entirely address the needs of the disability community, let alone those who are Deaf and hard of hearing. Consequently, these organizations fail to create wholly equitable, inclusive and accessible environments. During this interactive workshop, we will take a deep dive into the essential differences between simply providing reasonable accommodations and creating fully diverse, equitable, inclusive and accessible environments for Deaf and hard of hearing patients and companions.

Audiences will leave this seminar with:

• An understanding of potential communication and cultural gaps between Deaf/hard of hearing and hearing individuals, and their respective impact on accessibility in a variety of settings; and
• Evidence-based practices and strategies designed to improve the overall experience for Deaf and hard of hearing customers and employees.

As unconscious biases are created and often reinforced by our environments and experiences, Corey Axelrod – founder and CEO of 2axend – will explore how potential individual and systematic biases impact service delivery and, essentially, Deaf and hard of hearing individuals. Through Deaf lens, the presenter will map out opportunities for organizational leaders to identify unconscious biases and create equitable experiences for Deaf and hard of hearing customers and coworkers.

After this training, participants will:

• Recognize what power and privilege looks and feels like from the perspective of Deaf individuals;
• Understand and apply best practices to determine which privileges to leverage, minimize or divest;
• Apply tips and strategies discussed to hold other employees accountable for their actions; and
• Utilize promising approaches for more open and authentic dialogue with Deaf and hard of hearing individuals.

This interactive seminar explores how to provide culturally sensitive and responsive services to Deaf and hard of hearing individuals. During interactive this seminar, we will take a deep dive into Deaf culture and combine this with practical, real-life stories and situations to help organizational leaders appropriately respond to the needs of Deaf and hard of hearing individuals while maintaining a professional level of respect, objectivity and identity.

After the seminar, participants will:

• Understand Deaf and hard of hearing individuals’ sociocultural experiences and their relevance in a variety of settings;
• Recognize language differences, body language and expressions of emotions;
• Apply techniques and strategies to effectively identify possible challenges Deaf and hard of hearing individuals may encounter due to cultural and communication differences; and
• Implement strategies to bridge communication and cultural gaps between Deaf/hard of hearing and hearing individuals.