News and Events

Disability Funders Network (DFN) seeks to create a community of shared inquiry characterized by mutual respect and trust. While our programming is meant to encourage a free and open exchange of ideas, the opinions expressed are not necessarily those of DFN. Also in keeping with a mutually respectful environment, we ask all program participants at DFN events to refrain from any solicitation of other participants.

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Bridging the Knowledge Gap About Grantmaking for People with Disabilities

(Laura Cronin is a frequent contributor to PhilanTopic. Her last post was a Q&A with Milton Chen, senior fellow and executive director emeritus of the George Lucas Educational Foundation.)

Every funder can, and should, be a disability funder.

A group of New York grantmakers and advocates gathered last week under the auspices of the Disability Funders Network (DFN) to discuss how to make that statement a reality and to galvanize support for a fuller embrace by organized philanthropy of the twenty-one-year-old Americans with Disabilities Act.

According to DFN, an estimated 54 million Americans have at least one disability, making them the largest minority group in the nation. As baby boomers age and more veterans return from war, experts estimate that number could double within twenty years. But less than 3 percent of philanthropic giving is directed to programs serving people with disabilities.

The Kessler Foundation, a DFN member, recently commissioned Harris Interactive to survey the impact of disability on national workforce participation.

Results from the survey reveal that while 70 percent of corporations polled have diversity policies or programs in place, only two-thirds of those with programs include disability as a component. In addition, only 18 percent of companies offer an education program aimed at integrating people with disabilities into the workplace. The findings are notable given that most employers consider the cost of hiring people with disabilities to be the same as hiring employees without a disability (62 percent). The panelists urged funders to design programs to explicitly consider disability.

A few other key themes emerged during the discussion:

• The basic needs of people with disabilities are not greatly different from those of other groups; you will find people with disabilities in all walks of life.

• While the disability community has some needs that do not fit neatly into traditional funding areas, it is not necessary to have a designated disability program area to have a positive impact.

• Foundations can begin to address the funding gap by simply including people with disabilities in their ongoing grant programs.

Several New York funders have already embraced these themes in their grantmaking. Irfan Hasan, DFN board chair and program officer for Health and People with Special Needs at the New York Community Trust, describes how important it is for all funders to be inclusive of people with disabilities:

It doesn’t make a difference what issue your foundation supports — education, health, employment, poverty alleviation, economic development, arts, transportation, social services, and the list can go on and on — if programs you support are not inclusive of people with disabilities, you miss the mark to improve the situation of some of society’s most underserved individuals. Funders that support efforts that are inclusive of people with disabilities are on the right track….

Cheryl Rosario, director of philanthropy at American Express and a DFN board member, has long been an advocate of increased and more inclusive funding. She urges donors not to lock themselves into the mindset that “I’m not a disability funder,” but rather to look for ways to make sure the projects they fund are inclusive of all people.

The DFN Web site is a good starting point for funders seeking additional resources as they explore this issue. New York City-based funders looking for recommendations should visit the Center for Independence of the Disabled (CID-NY), a local organization that offers resources and citywide data. (The organization also has created an informative video that gives voice to those who are working actively to realize the promise of the ADA.)

— Laura Cronin

(Postcript: The briefing was hosted by the America Foundation for the Blind, another DFN member, whose new midtown office features an exhibit of memorabilia related to the career of AFB advocate Helen Keller. The photos in the gallery, which include archival shots of the globe-trotting Keller boarding first-generation jet planes, are a fitting reminder of AFB’s long history of advocacy and forward-looking approach to technology. Funders who want to ensure that their Web sites and collateral materials are equally up-to-date with present-day expectations will find an an array of useful resources on the AFB site.)

NYC funders briefing

Download the Houtenville Report Here

HARRIS INTERACTIVE SURVEY FINDS LARGEST MINORITY GROUP FALLS BEHIND IN COMPANIES’ ATTEMPTS TO DIVERSIFY

Kessler Foundation and National Organization on Disability Call on Employers to Hire Americans with Disabilities

NEW YORK (October 5th, 2010) – A new survey sponsored by Kessler Foundation and National Organization on Disability (NOD) finds that although corporations recognize that hiring employees with disabilities is important, most are hiring very few of these job seekers and few are proactively making efforts to improve the employment environment. These results, from the Kessler Foundation/National Organization on Disability 2010 Survey of Employment of Americans with Disabilities conducted by Harris Interactive, are especially important given the focus on employment by media and government and with October recognized as National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

Data released in July 2010 from an earlier study, the Kessler Foundation/NOD Survey of Americans with Disabilities, found that little progress has been made in closing the employment gap between people with and without disabilities since the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990. In fact, only 21 percent of people with disabilities, ages 18 to 64, reported that they are working either full or part-time, compared to 59 percent of people without disabilities.

From this latest survey, although 70 percent of corporations polled have diversity policies or programs in place, only two-thirds of those with programs include disability as a component.  Only 18 percent of companies offer an education program aimed at integrating people with disabilities into the workplace. The low figures are particularly notable given that a majority of employers perceive the costs of hiring a person with a disability to be the same as hiring a person without a disability (62 percent).

“America’s success in the global economy depends on how well we put to use the productive capacity of every person’s talent, skill and ability. This new survey reveals that most employers are not aware of the unique contributions that workers with disabilities can make and do little to recruit them.  The shockingly high unemployment rate among people with disabilities suggests that employers seeking dependable workers have a rich and ready talent pool of workers from which to draw,” said NOD President Carol Glazer. “By following the leadership of companies like NOD partners Sam’s Club and Lowe’s, employers will see that hiring people with disabilities can expand the productive power of their workforce.”

Rodger DeRose, President & CEO of Kessler Foundation, says the survey results cannot be attributed solely to the economic climate, which is having a disproportionate effect on the disability community. Lack of awareness among employers and job seekers is also a factor.

“This is what Kessler Foundation plans to address. Our strategy is to improve these numbers by supporting employment initiatives through our grantmaking,” said DeRose. “These results show that a broader approach is required to ensure employment opportunities for people with disabilities.  We need the support of government, corporations and business networks to amplify our efforts.”  Both Kessler Foundation and NOD have programs in place that are helping people with disabilities find jobs.

This marks the third effort since 1986 to determine the current attitudes of corporate employers toward employees with disabilities. Kessler, NOD, and Harris Interactive designed this survey and developed the questions that provide insight into the employment environment for people with disabilities. The findings help explain why such a large gap exists between people with and without disabilities.

Among the findings:

• One in five companies (19 percent) has a specific person or department that oversees the hiring of people with disabilities. This is in contrast to 1995 when 40 percent of companies hired someone specifically for this reason.
• Only 7 percent of companies with disability programs offer a disability affinity group.
• Of the 56 percent of managers and executives who estimated what percentage of new hires in the past three years was people with disabilities, the average was 2 percent.

“These numbers are disappointing but give us deeper insight into the findings of the earlier survey,” said Humphrey Taylor, Chairman of The Harris Poll and member of the NOD board. “The survey released in July focused on the gaps between people living with and without disabilities across 10 different areas.  That survey showed that the largest gap was employment.  Much work remains to be done in order to improve these numbers. We need employers and the disability community to work together to take action on both sides.”

To review the complete survey, please visit www.2010DisabilitySurveys.org.

Survey Methodology

The 2010 Survey of Employment of Americans with Disabilities was conducted by phone and online within the United States by Harris Interactive on behalf of the Kessler Foundation and the National Organization on Disability between March 29 and April 23, 2010 among 411 senior executives and human resource managers. The estimates of theoretical sampling error are +/- five percentage points at 95% confidence.

AS ADA TURNS 20, HARRIS INTERACTIVE SURVEY FINDS LIFESTYLE AND ECONOMIC GAPS STILL REMAIN BETWEEN AMERICANS WITH AND WITHOUT DISABILITIES

Kessler Foundation and National Organization on Disability Call on Disability Advocates from Non-Profit, Business, Education and Government Sectors to Join Together for Change

NEW YORK (July 26, 2010) — On the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a new survey sponsored by Kessler Foundation and National Organization on Disability (NOD) finds that most Americans with disabilities are still struggling with many of the same lifestyle and economic issues they confronted in 1990 when the ADA became federal law. The 2010 Kessler/NOD Survey of Americans with Disabilities, conducted by Harris Interactive, reveals little or no substantial gains in 10 key indicators ranging from employment and income to social engagement and life satisfaction.

Employment remains the largest gap between people with and without disabilities and is directly linked to the continued lack of progress in other key areas for people with disabilities, such as income, access to health care and socialization. Among all working-age people with disabilities, only 21% say they are employed full or part time, compared to 59% of people without disabilities – a gap of 38 points. This gap has decreased since it was first examined in 1998 but it still remains large and its decline has been slow.

“We are privileged to live in a country that committed 20 years ago to equalizing rights and opportunities for people with disabilities,” said NOD President Carol Glazer. “The disability rights movement lags behind other civil rights movements and we have to catch up. There is a role for everyone. Governments need to remove disincentives for people with disabilities so they can start to work. Businesses need to realize the enormous contributions workers with disabilities can make. Schools need to prepare students with disabilities sooner for the world of work. And Hollywood should routinely feature more people with disabilities in their TV shows and movies.”

Rodger DeRose, President & CEO of Kessler Foundation, says the stark survey results must be a call to action.

“While it’s important to celebrate the ADA as a powerful legislative tool that has provided people with disabilities equal access to education, housing and employment, let’s not pat ourselves on the back when so much work clearly remains,” said DeRose.

DeRose would like to see leaders from non-profit, education, business and government sectors come together to examine ways to bridge the gaps identified in the survey. “A great deal of innovation and passion exists, but we have yet to truly come together as a community to talk through these issues and deliver solutions for the largest minority group in the nation,” DeRose added.

This marks the sixth effort over the past 24 years to assess the quality of life of people with disabilities on these indicators, and to track them over time. NOD, Kessler and Harris Interactive have established a series of 10 indicators of significant life activities of Americans with disabilities. These indicators, which have been tracked over the course of six surveys, are: employment, income, education, health care, access to transportation, socializing, going to restaurants, attendance at religious services, political participation and life satisfaction. This year, three new indicators were added, which include: technology, access to mental health services and overall financial situation.

Among the findings:

Employment represents the largest gap between the two groups. Of all working-age people with disabilities, only 21% say that they are employed, compared to 59% of people without disabilities – a gap of 38 percentage points.

People with disabilities are still much more likely to be living in poverty.

People with disabilities are less likely than those without disabilities to socialize with friends, relatives or neighbors, once again suggesting that there are significant barriers to participation in leisure activities for this population.

The second-largest gap between people with and without disabilities is regarding Internet access. 85% of adults without disabilities access the Internet, whereas only 54% of adults with disabilities report the same – a gap of 31 percentage points.

“There have been some improvements measured over the years that may be in part attributable to the implementation of the ADA of 1990,” said Humphrey Taylor, Chairman of The Harris Poll and member of the NOD board. “However, much work remains to be done in order to narrow the considerable gaps that still exist. Hopefully policymakers, employers, and the disability community will work together to translate these findings into action and policies designed to improve the lives of the millions of Americans with disabilities.”

To review the complete survey, please visit www.2010DisabilitySurveys.org.

Survey Methodology

The 2010 survey was conducted using the same basic sampling approach and methodology as previous years’ research. For the majority of the survey questions, the findings are based on two samples, both of which were conducted by telephone: (1) a national cross-section of 1,001 adults with disabilities and (2) a national cross-section of 788 adults without disabilities. These interviews took place between May 5 and June 3, 2010. When a person with a disability was unavailable for an interview or unable to be interviewed, a proxy from the same household who was best qualified to answer questions about that person was chosen to complete the interview. Overall, 10% of the interviews were conducted with proxies. In the case of findings on employment among people with disabilities, the data is based off of employed people ages 18 to 64 from the national cross-section, as well as an oversample of 315 people with disabilities in the labor force which was conducted online using sample from the Harris Poll Online panel. All of the results were weighted to be representative of the general population ages 18 and over with and without disabilities. A full methodology is available at www.2010DisabilitySurveys.org.

You are cordially invited to attend the

Disability Funders Network Funders Briefing Series

The ADA at 20:

Looking Back/Looking Ahead to Building a More Inclusive Community

Presented by

Disability Funders Network is pleased to present a Minnesota Funders Briefing:

“The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) at 20:  Looking Back/Looking Ahead to Building a More Inclusive Community”

Date: Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Time: 2:00-4:30 P.M. with social hour to follow from 4:30-5:30 PM

Place: Wilderness Inquiry, 808 14th AVE SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414-15

Program sponsors: Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation, Kessler Foundation, The Jay and Rose Phillips Family Foundation and The St. Paul Foundation

As we celebrate the 20^th Anniversary of the American Disabilities Act, we invite you to join us for a funders’ briefing session to learn more about the work of the Disability Funders Network, and its efforts to help funders promote more inclusive models for grantmaking. The Disability Funders Network is a grantmakers’ affinity group whose mission is to promote awareness, support and inclusion of people with disability issues and disability issues in grantmaking programs and organizations. Established in 1994, DFN is working with grantmakers to replace the traditional medical/charity model of disability funding with one that is based on inclusion, empowerment, constituency involvement and collaboration.

Even with the gains made in disability issues in the past twenty years, people with disabilities constitute the largest minority group in the U.S, making up an estimated 20 percent of the total population. It is a diverse group, crossing lines of age, ethnicity, race, sexual orientation and socio-economic status. As baby boomers age, this number will double in the next 20 years. However, only some three percent of institutional philanthropy dollars go to programs targeting or specifically including people with disabilities.

This briefing session is designed to:

• Provide funders with a 360 status report on the enactment of the ADA.
• Highlight successful models of inclusion, independence and empowerment of people with disabilities.
• Offer accessible tools and resources for grantmakers.
• Discuss opportunities for funders and nonprofits to collaborate and help to create more inclusive communities.

Guest Speakers:

• Kim Hutchinson, President/CEO, Disability Funders Network

• Kevin Webb, Director, Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation
• A panel of diverse Minnesota funders will share their approaches to funding for people with disabilities and inclusion initiatives.
• Special performance by Interact Theater

We hope that you will join us to help ensure that the spirit of the ADA is realized for all people with disabilities and to advance new perspectives and promising practices of how funders can respond to and integrate disability issues as an essential component of their grantmaking efforts.

To Register your attendance: http://www.mcf.org/MCF/grantmakers/programs/registerDisability.htm

Date:   Tuesday, October 19,  2010

Time:  8:30 A.M -10:30 A.M. Eastern -Continental Breakfast will be served

Place:   American Foundation for the Blind, 2 Penn Plaza, Suite 1102, New York, NY 10121

Program sponsors:, Kessler Foundation, Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation, Philanthropy New York, The Jay and Rose Phillips Family Foundation and American Foundation for the Blind

As we celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the American Disabilities Act, we invite you to join us for a funders’ briefing session to learn more about the work of the Disability Funders Network, and its efforts to help funders promote more inclusive models for grantmaking.    The Disability Funders Network is a grantmakers’ affinity group whose mission is to promote awareness, support and inclusion of people with disability issues and disability issues in grantmaking programs and organizations.   Established in 1994, DFN is working with grantmakers to replace the traditional medical/charity model of disability funding with one that is based on inclusion, empowerment, constituency involvement and collaboration.

Even with the gains made in disability issues in the past twenty years, people with disabilities constitute the largest minority group in the U.S, making up an estimated 20 percent of the total population.   It is a diverse group, crossing lines of age, ethnicity, race, sexual orientation and socio-economic status.   As baby boomers age, this number will double in the next 20 years.    However, only some three percent of institutional philanthropy dollars go to programs targeting or specifically including people with disabilities.

This briefing session is designed to:
·        Provide funders with a 360 status report on the enactment of the ADA.
·        Highlight successful models of inclusion, independence and empowerment of people with disabilities.
·        Offer accessible tools and resources for grantmakers.
·        Discuss opportunities for funders and nonprofits to collaborate and help to create more inclusive communities.

Guest Speakers: A panel of diverse funders and disability leaders will share their approaches to funding for people with disabilities and inclusion initiatives including:
·         Susan Dooha, Executive Director, The Center for              Independence of the Disabled, New York
·        Elaine Katz, Vice President of Grant Programs & Special Initiatives,  Kessler Foundation
·        Maureen Matheson , Vice President, AFB Press & Information Services, American Foundation for the Blind
·        Susan Olivo, Vice President and General Manager, Reader’s Digest Partners for Sight Foundation
·        Cheryl G. Rosario , Director Philanthopy, American Express
·        Special accessibility demonstration by the American Foundation for the Blind
·        Moderator: Kim Hutchinson, President/CEO, Disability Funders Network

We hope that you will join us to help ensure that the spirit of the ADA is realized for all people with disabilities and to advance new perspectives and promising practices of how funders can respond to and integrate disability issues as an essential component of their grantmaking efforts.

Please check out the program on Philanthropy New York’s Website: http://www.philanthropynewyork.org/s_nyrag/doc_event.asp?CID=117&DID=42379

To RSVP your attendance: please email khutchinson@disabilityfunders.org or call (703)795-9646

Name and Title:
Organization:
Number attending:
Phone:
Email:

Disability Funders Network is pleased to present a California Funders Briefing:

“The American Disabilities Act (ADA) at 20: Looking Back/Looking Ahead to Building a More Inclusive Community”

Date: Monday, August 30, 2010

Time: 11:00 A.M -2:00 P.M. Pacific – Lunch will be served

Place: Angels Gate Cultural Center, 3601 South Gaffey Street, San Pedro, California 90731

Program sponsors: Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation, the Kessler Foundation, Southern California Grantmakers, and the Angels Gate Cultural Center

As we celebrate the 20^th Anniversary of the American Disabilities Act, we invite you to join us for a funders’ briefing session to learn more about the work of the Disability Funders Network, and its efforts to help funders promote more inclusive models for grantmaking. The Disability Funders Network is a grantmakers’ affinity group whose mission is to promote awareness, support and inclusion of people with disability issues and disability issues in grantmaking programs and organizations. Established in 1994, DFN is working with grantmakers to replace the traditional medical/charity model of disability funding with one that is based on inclusion, empowerment, constituency involvement and collaboration.

Even with the gains made in disability issues in the past twenty years, people with disabilities constitute the largest minority group in the U.S, making up an estimated 20 percent of the total population. It is a diverse group, crossing lines of age, ethnicity, race, sexual orientation and socio-economic status. As baby boomers age, this number will double in the next 20 years. However, only some three percent of institutional philanthropy dollars go to programs targeting or specifically including people with disabilities.

This briefing session is designed to:

• Provide funders with a 360 status report on the enactment of the ADA.
• Highlight successful models of inclusion, independence and empowerment of people with disabilities.
• Offer accessible tools and resources for grantmakers.
• Discuss opportunities for funders and nonprofits to collaborate and help to create more inclusive communities.

Guest Speakers: A panel of diverse funders and disability leaders will share their approaches to funding for people with disabilities and inclusion initiatives including:

• Kevin Webb, Director, Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation
• Anita Shafer Aaron , Executive Director, World Institute on Disability
• Shawna L. Parks, Legal Director, Disability Rights Legal Center
• Therese Lyons , Director, Los Angeles Marriott Foundation
• Deborah Lewis, Executive Director Angel Gate Cultural Center
• Keith McNutt, Director Actors Fund
• Special art accessibility demonstration by the Angel Gate Cultural Center

• Moderator: Kim Hutchinson, President/CEO, Disability Funders Network

We hope that you will join us to help ensure that the spirit of the ADA is realized for all people with disabilities and to advance new perspectives and promising practices of how funders can respond to and integrate disability issues as an essential component of their grantmaking efforts.

To RSVP your attendance: please email khutchinson@disabilityfunders.org or call (703)795-9646