WHAT IS DISABILITY CONFIDENT U.S.A?
“Disability Confident” originated as a program in the United Kingdom, Which was backed by the Parliament. It was initially introduced in July 2013 under the Coalition Government.
As of November 2017 there were 5,359 employers registered under the United Kingdom’s program. Murphy Roland, founder of the Disability Chamber of Commerce (DCC) and president of The United States Disability Chamber of Commerce (USDCC), received permission from the British Parliament to bring this innovative program to America.
The mission of “Disability Confident” is to “… support employers to make the most of the talents that people with disabilities can bring to their workplace.”
The goals of “Disability Confident” are to increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities and those with longer-term health conditions; and to reduce the large disability employment gap between those with disabilities and their able-bodied counterparts.
In order for this to occur, it is important that businesses and employers are empowered. Empowerment will come through disability education / training, and will engender confidence. Leadership follows confidence and community is nurtured and strengthened. Through this, employers will lead the charge in increasing employment and career opportunities for persons with disabilities.
The USDCC University was created by the United States Disability Chamber of Commerce and it’s Group of 50 as the main source for employers to sustain their “Disability Confidence” and organizational learning by committing to corporate training and /or taking online training courses.