The DC Metro Business Leadership Network (DC Metro BLN) is a District of Columbia, Suburban Maryland, and Northern Virginia regional business to business organization.
Our mission is to engage and inform regional businesses about the benefits of and resources available for active employment outreach to qualified individuals with disabilities. Not only does the DC Metro BLN seek to promote the best business practices in hiring and retaining individuals with disabilities but we encourage programs to market products, goods and services to individuals with disabilities.
The DC Metro BLN is a proud affiliate of the US Business Leadership Network® (USBLN®). The USBLN® is the national disability organization that serves as the collective voice of over 60 Business Leadership Network affiliates across North America, representing over 5,000 employers and helps build workplaces, marketplaces, and supply chains where people with disabilities are respected for their talents, while supporting the development and expansion of its BLN affiliates. The USBLN® recognizes and supports best practices in the employment and advancement of people with disabilities; the preparedness for work of youth and students with disabilities; marketing to consumers with disabilities; and contracting with vendors with disabilities through the development and certification of disability-owned businesses. As an affiliate, the DC Metro BLN is recognized as “THE” DC Metro Area’s business resource for enhancing the employment of people with disabilities. For additional information download our current DC Metro BLN Brochure.
We believe that all qualified people should be given the opportunity to compete for employment. Our region is committed to assisting your business with this workforce strategy.
What the DC Metro BLN Offers
BUSINESS DRIVEN – BUSINESS FOCUSED
- Meeting HR Diversity & Inclusion professional needs for disability as a diversity and compliance strategy.
- Bi-monthly professional programs (HRCI accredited).
- Bi-monthly newsletter with timely & relevant information.
- Interactive web B2B member networking.
- Social networking for idea exchange.
- Quarterly networking breakfasts.
- MEMBERS RECEIVE ADDITIONAL BENEFITS!.
What are the Benefits to Business for Hiring a Person with a Disability?
- Individuals with disabilities are qualified and want to work.
- As customers, they have an annual buying power of $3 trillion and aggregate income of $220 billion (customer base mirrors workforce).
- Individuals with disabilities are the largest minority population; more than 65 million Americans, 20 million of working age.
- This is a population that anyone can join at any time; only 18% are born with a disability.
- Business has more jobs than people – with an impending labor shortage of 10 million by 2015.
- Even today, there is a lack of skilled and qualified workers in the US. The DC metro region’s workforce is currently experiencing a skills shortage.
- By 2025, it is expected that the Greater Washington region will have created 555,500 new jobs. (Source: NPA Data Services. 2007)
- Baby boomer retirement creates vacancies to fill; and companies wishing to retain them will see this population encounter disabilities as they age.
- Between 2007 and 2025, over 275,000 people living in our region will enter retirement. (Source: BLS. 2007)
- Employers with high turnover will see cost savings through retention of this loyal workforce.
- Returning veterans (wounded warriors and non-disabled) expect to reenter the workforce.
- 10,000,000 Americans who are living with a disability today have a college degree.
- 40-45% of college graduates with disabilities are unemployed.
- Business recognizes the value of diversity and will benefit by expanding diversity to include people with disabilities.
- The ADA Amendments Act and changing compliance requirements make inclusion a business imperative.
People with disabilities are an untapped target market for your products and services.
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