View Agenda by Day:  Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday

Full Conference Agenda - Printer-friendly Agenda (DOC | PDF)

Arrive on Sunday, September 19, 2010
With General Plenary sessions starting promptly at 7:45 am on Monday, September 20, attendees are encouraged to book their travel to arrive on Sunday, September 19, to enjoy an evening Welcome Reception featuring Vocalist Eddie Davenport, contest finalist with “Voice of McDonald's” at the Westin Michigan Avenue Hotel. Attendee registration opens at 12:00 noon on Sunday. The conference is scheduled to conclude around 2:00 pm on Wednesday, September 22, 2010 followed by a post-conference BLN Affiliate session.

Westin Michigan Avenue Hotel
The Westin Michigan Avenue Hotel is our conference site hotel. Rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis and they have sold out on select dates. Please call 888-627-8385 to inquire about your stay with space and rates subject to availability. In the event that the Westin is sold out, please contact the following nearby hotels.

Nearby Hotels Map

• Residence Inn Chicago Downtown/Magnificent Mile
  201 East Walton Place, Chicago, IL 60611
  Phone: (312) 943-9800
  

Nearby Hotels:

• Hilton Suites Chicago/Magnificent Mile
  198 E. Delaware Place
  Chicago, IL United States, 60611
  Phone: (312) 664-1100
  
     
• Four Seasons Hotel Chicago
  120 East Delaware Place
  Chicago, Illinois 60611-1428
  Phone: (312) 280-8800
  
     
• The Drake Chicago
  140 East Walton Place
  Chicago, IL 60611
  Phone: (312) 787-2200
  
     
• Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel Chicago
  163 East Walton Place @ North Michigan Avenue
  Chicago, IL 60611
  Phone: (312) 751-8100
  
     
• Raffaello Hotel
  201 E. Delaware Place
  Chicago, IL 60611
  Phone: (312) 943-5000
  

Chicago O’Hare & Midway International Airports – Travel Time
Please allow at least one hour travel time to and from the Chicago O’Hare & Midway International Airports and our conference site at the Westin Michigan Avenue hotel. O’Hare airport is located 17.6 miles and Midway airport is located 14.7 miles away from the hotel, but that does not account for the traffic in the city. Please take this into consideration when making your travel arrangements to allow this hour travel time due to traffic.

Accessible and ADA Hotel Rooms
The Westin Michigan Avenue Hotel has sold out of ADA rooms. but accessibility kits for your room at the Westin are available. Please contact Janet at janetwoodrow@sbcglobal.net or 773-334-5334 to ensure that your accommodation needs are met. ADA Studio Suites at the Residence Inn Chicago Downtown, just 1.5 blocks from the Westin may be available. Please call the Residence Inn at 800-228-9290 to check availability.

Scooter Rentals
The company Scootaround Mobility Solutions offers hotel delivery, and is anticipating interest from USBLN® conference attendees. Make your reservations through their website at www.scootaround.com/rentals/u/usbln/ or by contacting them at (888) 441-7575.

Supplier Diversity Business to Corporate Matchmaking One-on-Ones (by invitation)
Held throughout the conference at pre-scheduled times, selected disability-owned business enterprises will privately meet one-on-one with corporate procurement representatives from USBLN Disability Supplier Diversity Program Corporate Partners. In order to be in the selection pool, certified disability-owned business representatives must be registered for the conference no later than August 25th, 2010. (Corporate Procurement Representatives & Entrepreneurs with Disabilities)

Subject to Change
Please note that the following agenda is a listing of confirmed sessions and speakers to date. Please check back for the latest updates. Speaker availability and programming are subject to change without notice.

View Agenda by Day:  Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday

Full Conference Agenda:

Sunday, September 19, 2010, Pre-conference Sessions
12:00 pm – 6:00 pm	Registration opens
1:00 pm – 3:15 pm	USBLN® Pre-Conference Sessions BLN Affiliates Meeting  (Agenda: DOC | PDF)
1:00 pm – 3:15 pm	Student Advisory Council Meeting
1:00 pm – 3:15 pm	Corporate Advisory Board Meeting
3:15 pm – 3:45 pm	Break
3:45 pm – 5:00 pm	USBLN® Pre-Conference Sessions BLN Affiliates Meeting - continued
3:45 pm – 5:00 pm	ODEP Circle Meeting
3:45 pm – 5:00 pm	Board of Directors Meeting
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm	Welcome Reception Featuring Vocalist Eddie Davenport Welcoming remarks delivered by Randy Lewis, SVP - Distribution, Walgreens & USBLN® Annual Conference Chair Be sure to book your travel to arrive on Sunday, September 19th to join us as the sun goes down for an evening networking reception. Start the conference off right by meeting your peers in advance to exchange stories and while mingling in an elegantly appointed ballroom with floor to ceiling windows overlooking the shimmering Chicago skyline. Start some of the strong connections that our previous USBLN conference attendees have established over the years. Guests are cordially invited to enjoy the beautiful vocals of Eddie Davenport, a Maintenance Employee for McDonald's in Michigan was a 2010 Voice of McDonald's competition finalist. The Voice of McDonald's is a singing competition open to McDonald's employees around the world. This unforgettable event promises a stirring way to celebrate the arts in our community featuring beautiful live music while enjoying hors d'oeuvres and drinks with your new found friends. Featuring Eddie Davenport, Vocalist, Voice of McDonald's Video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=DixxUNrZCbc
8:15 pm – 9:30 pm	“MONICA & DAVID” Film Screening - Winner of Best Documentary Feature at the Tribeca Film Festival In further supporting the arts featured in our community, be sure to join us Sunday night following the Welcome reception for a very special film screening of .MONICA & DAVID. - Winner of Best Documentary Feature at the Tribeca Film Festival. Synopsis: MONICA & DAVID explores the marriage of two adults with Down syndrome and the family who strives to support their needs. Monica and David are blissfully in love and want what other adults have—an independent life. Intimately directed by Monica's cousin, Alexandra Codina, the film blends humor and romance with everyday family drama. While Monica and David are capable beyond expectations, their parents are afraid of the outside world and have trouble letting go. A national awareness campaign will launch with the film's HBO premiere, engaging audiences in seeing beyond disability to the individual needs, abilities and challenges of every person. Watch the trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Su78LXwMJtY&feature=player_embedded
Monday, September 20, 2010, Opening Day
7:30 am – 6:00 pm	Registration open
7:45 am – 8:45 am	General Plenary Session - Breakfast served Trust, Commit, and Care - Diversity in the Workplace Keynote: •  Stephen J. Szilagyi, Senior Vice President, Distribution, Lowe's Companies, Inc. Description: Inspired by Walgreen's, Lowe's Distribution has embarked on a journey to seek out and hire people with disabilities in their network of distribution centers across the country - with tremendous success. Imagine a team that values individuals and focuses on ability.
9:00 am – 10:15 am	General Plenary Opening Session Welcome and Conference Kick-off Keynotes: •  Randy Lewis, SVP - Distribution, Walgreens & USBLN® Annual Conference Chair •  John D. Kemp, USBLN® Executive Director & General Counsel •  *Beth Butler, Vice President, Employment Compliance, Wells Fargo Company & USBLN® Board Chair •  The Honorable Karen Tamley, Commissioner, Office of Persons with Disabilities, City of Chicago •  Jackie LaJoie, Director, Supplier Diversity, Merck, Supplier Diversity Track Chair •  The Honorable Neil Romano, President, The Romano Group LLC., Former, US Assistant Secretary of Labor, Market Share Track Chair •  James R. Salzano, Executive Vice President, Clarks Companies, N.A., Talent Track Chair •  Stephen J. Konya III, Chief of Staff, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
10:15 am - 10:45 am	Coffee break
10:45 am - 12:00 pm	General Plenary Session Federal Rules and Resources: A Two-way Listening Session Keynotes - Listening Panel: •  The Honorable Kathleen Martinez, Assistant Secretary, Office of Disability Employment Policy, U.S. Department of Labor •  Lynnae M. Ruttledge, Commissioner, Rehabilitation Services Administration, U.S. Department of Education •  Claudia Gordon, Special Assistant to the Director, Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, U.S. Department of Labor •  Dan O'Brien, Acting Associate Commissioner, Social Security Administration •  Nicholas Lammers, Regional Director, Office of State Systems, Employment & Training Administration, U.S. Department of Labor •  Moderated by *Kevin Bradley, Director Diversity, Global Inclusion and Intercultural Management, McDonald’s Corporation, USBLN® Board member Description: This plenary session provides a forum for private and public sector employers to gain pertinent information on proposed new federal disability employment requirements plus resources to assist employers meet them. Following brief presentations, the audience microphones will be turned on so you can provide comments and dialogue with senior federal agency leaders on the panel. Don't miss this session!
12:15 pm - 1:30 pm	General Plenary Session - Lunch served Welcoming remarks delivered by The Honorable Neil Romano, President, The Romano Group LLC., former Assistant Secretary, US Department of Labor, Market Share Track Chair. Presentation of the USBLN® Outstanding Collaborative Partner Awards to Linda J. Denny, President & CEO, Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), Justin Nelson, Co-Founder and CEO, and Chance Mitchell, Co-Founder and CEO, National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce® (NGLCC). PepsiCo's Performance with Purpose Keynote: •  Ron Parker, Senior Vice President, Global Diversity and Inclusion, PepsiCo Inc. Description: PepsiCo has a long history of leveraging diversity and inclusion in its business. In 2000, PepsiCo formally launched its Employee Diversity & Inclusion effort, which has since become a corner stone of the company's Performance with Purpose mission. Ron Parker will share PepsiCo's journey to achieve excellence by embracing the diversity of its employees and consumers alike. As part of their D&I journey, Ron will talk about PepsiCo's efforts to promote awareness and inclusion of "different abilities" among its employee base and provide examples of how they are leveraging their brands to deliver a message of inclusion to their consumers. and Customer Service Is Our Business Keynote: •  Colleen Barrett, President Emeritus, Southwest Airlines Description: Colleen will share an overview of Southwest's passion for Proactive Legendary Customer Service delivery, and she will describe the three attributes that all Employees at the LUV airline are expected to display on a daily basis. She will also share with you a video where Employees and Customers alike confirm what it means to "Live the Southwest Way."
1:45 pm - 3:00 pm	Breakout Session: Talent 1 The Veteran: From Military Hero to Civilian Employment Speakers: •  Lisa Rosser, CEO, The Value of a Veteran •  Hannah Rudstam, Ph.D., Senior Extension Faculty, Cornell University •  Carol A. Salter, Asst. Vice President Workforce Development, Easter Seals, Inc. •  Moderated by John M. Molino, Executive Vice President for Economic Empowerment, Wounded Warrior Project Description: America welcomes home her injured service men and women as heroes and America's employers have an important role to play in ensuring their successful transition to the workplace. This session will provide you with the strategies, effective practices and resources you need to not only recruit and hire an American Hero, but also to more effectively manage combat-related disabilities including PTSD and TBI.
1:45 pm - 3:00 pm	Breakout Session: Talent 2 Accessing the National Talent Pool Speakers: •  Lynnae M. Ruttledge, Commissioner, Rehabilitation Services Administration, U.S. Department of Education •  Gerald (Jerry) B. Bacon, Assistant Director of Rehabilitation Services, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E), U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) •  Joseph Kelley, Executive Director, Consortia of Administrators for Native American Rehabilitation (CANAR) •  Co-moderated by Kathy West-Evans, Director of Business Relations, Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation (CSAVR); and *Beth Butler, Vice President, Accommodations Management, Wells Fargo Company & USBLN® Board Chair Description: Meet the national leaders of the public vocational rehabilitation (VR) programs, including Veterans and Native Americans. They work collaboratively to serve over one million individuals with disabilities. VR also works with businesses nationally to deliver qualified candidates and employment services.
1:45 pm - 3:00 pm	Breakout Session: Talent 3 - Job Accommodation Network (JAN) Disability Etiquette 101 - Communicate Effectively: What Do I Say and Do? Speakers: •  Lou Orslene, MPIA, MSW, JAN Program Co-Director •  Karen Jane McCulloh, RN, BS, President & CEO, Karen McCulloh & Associates Consulting Description: Communicating with customers and working alongside colleagues that are people that have different types of disabilities may require education that enhances your comfort level to encourage spontaneity of conversation, customer service and relationship building. Let's Use a Common Sense Approach!
1:45 pm - 3:00 pm	Breakout Session: Market Share Championship Marketing, How Smart Companies Are Reaching an Untapped Market through the Paralympics Speakers: •  Charlie Huebner, Chief of Paralympics, United States Olympic Committee •  *Kevin Bradley, Director Diversity, Global Inclusion and Intercultural Management, McDonald’s Corporation, USBLN® Board member Description: Many companies view the Olympics as an opportunity to capture more market share. The label “proud sponsor” can be found on a multitude of products and services before, during, and after the Olympic Games. But how many companies are taking advantage of the fact that immediately following the Olympics, there are world class athletes, world class events, and a global audience participating in the Paralympics? Hear how these companies use the Paralympic venues to not only support and proudly sponsor Parathletes, but to also advertise goods and services to the disability market segment. In this session you will get the perspectives of the US Olympic Committee and corporations, describing long-term partnerships that have been beneficial to all parties involved.
1:45 pm - 3:00 pm	Breakout Session: Supplier Diversity 1 Disability Supplier Mythbuster Session Speakers: •  Tom Prinske, Owner, T. Castro Produce •  Willie Davis, Owner, Matrix Systems & Technologies •  Suzanne Robitaille, President, AbledBody •  Dan McClintock, Global Procurement Manager, Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp. •  Moderated by Aditi Dussault, Director, Disability Supplier Diversity Program (DSDP), USBLN® Description: This session, intended for corporate procurement representatives, will provide an introduction to the disability community from the perspective of the owners of several certified disability-owned businesses. These entrepreneurs will discuss their companies, their disabilities, and the common misperceptions on the capabilities of people with disabilities. (Corporate Procurement Representatives)
1:45 pm - 3:00 pm	Breakout Session: Supplier Diversity 2 Certification Basics Speakers: •  Reggie Crane, President, Next Level Coaching and Consulting •  Joanne LeDeux, President, Studio Lucy Lou • Jessica Moseley, Director, Business Operations, TCS Associates •  Moderated by Patti Lind, Executive Director, Abilities Fund Description: Hear from several certified disability-owned businesses about why they got certified, the benefits associated with certification, and learn the steps of the certification process. (Entrepreneurs with Disabilities)
3:00 pm - 3:15 pm	Afternoon break
3:15 pm - 5:00 pm	General Plenary Session Welcoming remarks delivered by Lynn Alba, Program Leader for Diversity & Work Environment, Merck & Co., Inc. Workplace Realities: 3 Scenarios We Can All Identify With Keynote: •  Margaret Regan, President and CEO, The FutureWork Institute •  Steve DeValk, President, DeValk Associates, Inc. Description: This interactive session will feature three live vignettes typical of workplace situations for a person with a disability: the interview, inclusion (or lack thereof) in the work environment, and whether/how to disclose a hidden disability. The Future Works Institute, well known for their leading edge work as diversity thought leaders and consultants, will bring their talented actors to play out these situations, and the audience will be able to probe options and best practices by experiencing this safe and fun approach.
5:15 pm - 6:15 pm	Breakout Session: Market Share What Are Your Customers with Disabilities Saying About You? Speakers: •  JJ Hanley, Founder and Executive Director, JJ's List JJ's List Disability Awareness Team • Brad Bowen, Self-Advocate, JJ’s List Volunteer • Timothy Finnegan, Student, Self-Advocate, JJ’s List Volunteer •  Carol Finnegan, Parent, Advocate, JJ’s List Volunteer Description: Customers with disabilities and their vast network of family and friends are loyal patrons with choices about where they do business. Hear straight from consumers with disabilities how they're building market power through on-line consumer reviews and more at www.jjslist.com. Learning Objectives: •  Share first-hand knowledge gleaned from consumers with disabilities about how they are using the Internet; they will possess increased understanding of what makes a business "accessible" to people with disabilities. •  Convey to counterparts, associates and senior managers first-hand experience of how the disability community is organizing itself into a powerful marketplace at the local, regional and national level. •  Apply immediate and practical Internet tools by which to expand reach to this viable consumer base as a result of this interactive, hands-on presentation led directly by consumers with disabilities.
5:15 pm - 6:00 pm	Breakout Session: Supplier Diversity Operation Hand Salute: A Hand Up Not Out Speaker: •  Lou Rosas, Lead Chief of Staff, AT&T Global Supplier Diversity Programs, AT&T, Inc. Description: AT&T Global Supplier Diversity's "Operation Hand Salute" is a California Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) initiative that serves to mentor a select group of Disabled Veteran Business Enterprises (DVBEs) towards improving their business operations and ability to win corporate contracts. (Corporate Procurement Representatives & Entrepreneurs with Disabilities) Learning Objectives: •  Use workshops, live classes, webinars and monthly mentoring sessions to help DVBEs achieve quality certification. •  State mentoring opportunities to disabled veteran owned businesses. •  Identify methods for assisting DVBEs to achieve success working with large corporations.
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm	Expo Opening Reception: All exhibits open As an entertaining way to open the Exhibit Hall McKesson Corporation welcomes you to attend this special opening soiree. This is your opportunity to network with peers and meet experts in all areas of the community. Conference attendees will get a first look at 20 exhibitors, featuring organizations whose services will be of great interest alongside federal agencies committed to hiring people with disabilities. Guests are encouraged to partake in refreshments while viewing a presentation on Paralympic Excellence, autograph session with a Paralympic Ambassador and will feature a Warrior Games Highlights video. Wounded servicemen and women competed in the inaugural Warrior Games, presented by Deloitte, May 10-14, 2010, through a joint effort between the U.S. Department of Defense and U.S. Olympic Committee. These games were part of an effort to inspire recovery, capitalize on physical fitness, and promote new opportunities for growth and achievement. Be sure to join us in the Cotillion Exhibit Hall and stop by to view this presentation, and meet our ambassador along with all of our valued exhibitors!
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
7:30 am – 6:00 pm	Registration open
7:45 am – 8:45 am	General Plenary Session - Breakfast served Disability in the Post-ADA Era: Progress or Stagnation Keynote: •  Marca Bristo, President & CEO, Access Living Description: In the twenty years since the passage of the ADA and the ADA Amendments Act of 2008, have we as a society advanced the inclusion of persons with disabilities or have we stagnated in our efforts? Ms. Bristo will share international, national and local perspectives as one of the world's top disability leaders and former Chair of the National Council on Disability by appointment of President William J. Clinton.
7:45 am – 6:30 pm	Expo open
9:00 am – 10:15 am	General Plenary Session Walgreens Expands Inclusion to Retail Division - It all Began with an Idea Welcoming remarks delivered by James R. Salzano, Executive Vice President, Clarks Companies, N.A., Talent Track Chair Keynotes: •  *Deb Russell, Corporate Manager, Walgreens, USBLN® Board Vice-chair • Rhonda Stillwell, Store Manager, Walgreens •  Erv Siemoneit, Market Vice President, Walgreens Description: In 2002, Senior Vice President Randy Lewis had an idea. Since the company was investing in new technology to make distribution more efficient, why not create opportunities for people with disabilities? While creating new systems, machines and processes, engineers intentionally used universal design concepts while creating the new equipment. After Anderson, SC was selected as the site of the latest distribution center, Walgreen Co. met with agencies that provide employment services to people with disabilities to help plan a pipeline of qualified applicants for the 2007 opening of the center. The last step was to create training opportunities for the new managers to help insure an inclusive workplace. Come learn how the Supply Chain Division has incorporated the lessons learned in Anderson and applied them to their Distribution Centers and most recently to their Retail Division. Using the lessons learned in the Distribution Centers and various success experienced in pockets around the country, a focused pilot program is building the tools needed to enhance inclusion nationally.
10:15 am - 10:45 am	Coffee break
10:45 am - 12:00 pm	Breakout Session: Talent 1 Overcoming Obstacles Speaker: •  John Robinson, Author, "Get Off Your Knees: A Story of Faith, Courage, and Determination" Description: When people see John for the first time, they realize the immense obstacles that he faces in life. During your time together, he hopes to get everyone to forget these obstacles. He hopes to share that they are not obstacles in front of us, but opportunities for success. During his discussion, he will share stories about his journey through faith, education and employment. For a long time as a child, he saw education and employment as major obstacles. Now, he realizes they were opportunities to succeed. As a child, John had no one with a physical disability to look up to. He is honored to share his stories and if he can make an impact on just one person, he considers it a great success.
10:45 am - 12:00 pm	Breakout Session: Talent 2 ADA Amendments Act - The New Regulations Speakers: •  Andrew J. Imparato, President and CEO, American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) •  Michael J. Eastman, Executive Director, Labor Law Policy, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Description: The impact of the EEOC's regulations implementing the ADA Amendments Act will be discussed by Andy Imparato and Mike Eastman, who spearheaded efforts to enact the ADAAA on behalf of the disability community and the business community, respectively. Learning Objectives: •  Understand the changes to the definition of disability made by the ADA Amendments Act. •  Understand the role the EEOC regulations play in implementing the changes to the ADA. •  Recognize the impact the new regulations will have on employers' policies and practices.
10:45 am - 12:00 pm	Talent 3 Disabilities Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) in 2010: Benchmarking, Best Practices, and Key Opportunities for Impact Speakers: •  Jennifer Brown, President & CEO Jennifer Brown Consulting •  *Lori Golden, Inclusiveness Consultant and Lead of AccessAbilities, Ernst & Young, LLP, USBLN® Board member Description: Given the organic, fast-paced nature of how ERGs form in today's organizations, it is difficult for diversity advocates to gain visibility into best practices occurring across leading companies. The good news is that Employee Resource Groups, and Disabilities ERGs specifically, are being created or accelerating in many workplaces, and marketplaces. JBC's ERG Readiness Index and our Disabilities ERG benchmarking work have revealed multiple insights which will be shared in this session, along the following key areas: •  Structure and governance •  Strategic focus areas and practices •  Impact on the business •  Leading practices and common challenges across different ERG models The session will also provide a window into the best practices of Ernst & Young's disabilities efforts and its ERG.
10:45 am - 12:00 pm	Breakout Session: Market Share Reaching People with Disabilities through Emerging Media Revisited Speakers: •  Bob English, Chief Operating Officer, TecAccess LLC •  Rosemary Musachio, Senior Accessibility Analyst & Testing Manager, TecAccess LLC Description: Emerging Media has opened up the world to people with disabilities. Over the past year, tremendous growth has been seen in this area and this session will cover the new areas of emerging media and developments over the past year. Learning Objectives: •  Define social and emerging media and how can it be used to reach and interact with people with disabilities. •  Use social networks that are more accessible and inviting to people with disabilities as a marketing and recruiting tool. •  Use social and emerging media as a brand anchor and a way to interact with people of all ability levels.
10:45 am - 12:00 pm	Breakout Session: Supplier Diversity 1 Building the Corporate Business Case Speakers: •  Mary Jane Chiacchio, Senior Manager, Advisory Services, Ernst & Young •  Jackie La Joie, Director, Supplier Diversity, Merck, Supplier Diversity Track Chair •  Tim Ruddell, Manager, Supplier Diversity and Sustainable Procurement, KPMG •  Moderated by Aditi Dussault, Director, Disability Supplier Diversity Program (DSDP), USBLN® Description: Learn how leading Fortune 1000 companies are working to include disability-owned businesses in their supply chain. Corporate representatives will discuss the business case for the inclusion of persons with disabilities in their supplier diversity programs, how partnership with the USBLN has facilitated disability inclusion goals throughout their companies, and more. (Corporate Procurement Representatives)
10:45 am - 12:00 pm	Breakout Session: Supplier Diversity 2 Maximizing Your Certification Speakers: •  Theresa Harrison, Director, Supplier Diversity, Ernst & Young • Philip DeVliegher, Senior Manager Supplier Diversity, Global Operations Services, Marriott International, Inc. •  Fernando Hernandez, Microsoft Supplier Diversity Director, Microsoft Description: Learn from a certified disability-owned business and corporate representatives about the best ways to brand your company as a certified disability-owned business and break into corporate procurement. (Entrepreneurs with Disabilities)
12:15 pm - 1:30 pm	General Plenary Session - Lunch served Global Opportunities for Entrepreneurs With Disabilities Keynote: •  Welcoming remarks delivered by Daryl Williams, Director, Research & Policy, Minority Entrepreneurship, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation Speakers: •  Rob Crawford, CEO, Life Development Institute •  Debra Ruh, CEO, TecAccess LLC, USBLN® Board member •  John Little, CEO & Founder, Successful Resumes International Group Description: This session introduces a newly formed organization that is dedicated to promoting people with disabilities as being capable and successful in self employment and entrepreneurial pursuits. The international panel of speakers will discuss social media & online networking resources used to launch the Network, share the unique perspectives/experiences its members provide to potential startups, and outline emerging strategies for selling/positioning Entrepreneurs with Disabilities expertise to businesses/governments in countries just now addressing employment inclusion in their part of the developing world.
1:45 pm - 3:00 pm	Breakout Session: Talent 1 Engaging and Developing the Next Generation of Workers with Disabilities Speakers: •  Oswald Mondejar, Vice President of Human Resources, Sr. Executive for Partners Continuing Care •  Alan Muir, Executive Director, Career Opportunities for Students with Disabilities (COSD) •  Jean L. Morrell, Consultant and Field Recruiter, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) • Rachel Stewart, Program Manager, California Health Incentives Improvement Project •  Moderated by Gary Goosman, Director, TOWER Initiative, USBLN® Description: Students with disabilities in school today are the energetic and innovative employees that companies need once they graduate. This session will provide you with knowledge of successful engagement strategies for your organization to interact with the workforce of tomorrow. Learn how to connect with youth while they are still in school through mentoring and internship programs, as well as career preparation activities. Building proactive relationships with students with disabilities will assist you in molding the employees you will need in the future while creating a talent pipeline into your company.
1:45 pm - 3:00 pm	Breakout Session: Talent 2 - Job Accommodation Network (JAN) Accommodating Individuals with Mental Illness and Other "Invisible" Disabilities Speakers: •  Suzanne Kitchen, Ed.D., Job Accommodation Network (JAN) •  Alan M. Goldstein, Senior Attorney, Illinois ADA Project Manager, Equip for Equality Description: This interactive session will provide information about employing people with mental illness and other "invisible disabilities" and provide practical advice for evaluating and implementing reasonable accommodation requests from employees. EEOC Guidance, ADA case law, and the speakers experience working with businesses and individuals with disabilities will be utilized in providing practical ADA information. Statistical and anecdotal evidence will also be provided.
1:45 pm - 3:00 pm	Breakout Session: Talent 3 Flexible Workplaces Benefit Everyone, Especially Persons with Disabilities Speakers: •  Robin L. Shaffert, Senior Director, Corporate Social Responsibility, American Association of People with Disabilities; •  Katie Corrigan, Director, Workplace Flexibility 2010 Description: Workplace flexibility enables workers to meet the often-competing demands of work and personal life and serves as a strategic management tool for employers. This session will explore ways of using flexibility to enhance the workplace for all employees, including PwD. Learning Objectives: •  Appreciate the benefits workplace flexibility provides to employees and employers •  Be aware of the wide variety of types of flexible work arrangements •  Appreciate the importance of workforce flexibility to members of the disability community
1:45 pm - 3:00 pm	Breakout Session: Market Share Rethink Possible: Talent, Markets and Diversity Speakers: •  *Susan Mazrui, Director-Public Policy, AT&T, Inc. •  Avalyn Jackson, Associate Director, Disability and Mature Marketing, AT&T Mobility •  Elizabeth Dixon, Lead HR Specialist, Talent Management and Diversity, AT&T Services, Inc. Description: Building on a strong platform of Corporate Social Responsibility, employee leadership and community engagement, AT&T merges teams of internal and external experts to develop talent and improve its ability to engage customers with disabilities and those in the aging markets. Learning Objectives: •  Identify ways to work with the disability and aging communities. •  Describe ways to share expertise cross- company. •  Understand how Corporate Social Responsibility relates to disability and the bottom line.
1:45 pm - 3:00 pm	Breakout Session: Supplier Diversity 1 USBLN® Disability Supplier Diversity Program Corporate Roundtable Discussion Speaker: •  Facilitated by Jackie La Joie, Director, Supplier Diversity, Merck, Supplier Diversity Track Chair Description: This session will serve as a best practices development forum where corporate procurement representatives can anticipate what challenges will be faced in trying to incorporate disability-owned businesses into supplier diversity programs. This session will feature small-group discussions to determine ways to work across companies to create actionable methods to engage leadership, encourage formal statements of engagement, and identify ways to become leaders within their industries. (Corporate Procurement Representatives)
1:45 pm - 3:00 pm	Breakout Session: Supplier Diversity 2 Business to Business Networking Session Speakers: •  Facilitated by Patti Lind, Executive Director, Abilities Fund Description: Networking session for certified and potentially certifiable disability-owned businesses. (Entrepreneurs with Disabilities)
3:00 pm - 3:30 pm	Afternoon break
3:30 pm - 4:45 pm	General Plenary Session Smarter, More Accessible Workplaces: How leaders can transform business and society through inclusive IT Keynote: •  Carol Sormilic, Vice President and Transformation Executive for IBM Global Workforce and Web Processes Description: Today's leaders are faced with similar objectives and challenges. All must find new ways to hire and retain top talent to support 21st century business models that require unprecedented flexibility, adaptability, and expansive market reach. Those choosing to leverage workforce diversity and key global trends to reinvent their organizations with an internal and external emphasis on inclusion are arguably among the most successful. By harnessing the power of smarter, more accessible systems and technology, these leaders are creating globally-diverse and connected workforces that have the information, skills and tools to support competitive, sustainable business models and ultimately, more economically-viable cities. Learn about smarter technologies and strategies for local and global business that can make our workplaces, marketplaces, our cities -- and the world -- a better place for everyone.
5:00 pm - 6:00 pm	Breakout Session: Talent 1 - Job Accommodation Network (JAN) A Practical View of the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) Speakers: •  Linda Carter Batiste, J.D., Job Accommodation Network (JAN) •  Beth Loy, Ph.D., Job Accommodation Network (JAN) Description: Learn the practical aspects you need to know when implementing the ADAAA in your workplace. Work through JAN's accommodation process in light of the ADAAA, and hear JAN consultants discuss situations and solutions. Leave this session with the tools you need to effectively work through workplace challenges. Come and see what you need to know about JAN and the ADAAA! Learning Objectives: •  Learn the basic changes made by the ADAAA. •  Work through and implement an effective accommodation process. •  Discuss actual workplace accommodations that have been implemented to harness the potential of employees with disabilities.
5:00 pm - 6:00 pm	Breakout Session: Talent 2 Utilizing National Service as a Vehicle to Identify Talent Speakers: •  Sheila Fesko, Ph.D., Senior Research Associate, Institute for Community Inclusion, UMass Boston •  Lois Barnhart, Serve Illinois Disability Outreach Coordinator •  Davine Glover, Student, Pittsburg High School •  Frank Jans, Director, Department of Psychiatry, West Penn Allegheny Health System - Physician Organization, Allegheny General Hospital Description: An in-depth look into programs cultivating talent and creating career opportunities for people with disabilities through national and community service as the new avenue to skill building and career development. Learning Objectives: •  What kind of programs are cultivating talent for people with disabilities •  How national service builds job skills •  How to link national service to employment
7:00 pm - 9:30 pm	Leadership Awards Dinner: "Black Tie Optional" event Welcoming remarks delivered by Randy Lewis, SVP - Distribution, Walgreens & USBLN® Annual Conference Chair, John D. Kemp, USBLN® Executive Director & General Counsel and *Beth Butler, Vice President, Accommodations Management, Wells Fargo Company & USBLN® Board Chair Emcee: •  Karen Meyer, ABC News Reporter Keynote: •  Luke Visconti, CEO, DiversityInc USBLN® Annual Leadership Awards Ceremony Description: Networking continues as black ties, elegant evening wear and accoutrements illuminate the night. This is your chance to shine as we celebrate the Leadership Award recipients that embody the highest ethical standards and values in our community. This dinner is a memorable way to recognize our Volunteers, Partners, Employers and BLNs for their demonstration of outstanding commitment to promoting disability diversity across the enterprise. Our esteemed Emcee for the evening is Karen Meyer, ABC News Reporter and Chicago's feature reporter on disability issues. Deaf since birth, Karen ensures that her segments focus on the achievements of persons with disabilities or on news items that would be of interest to people with disabilities. Our featured Keynote is Luke Visconti, Chief Executive Officer of DiversityInc Media LLC, the leading publication on diversity and business. He directs all editorial and business operations of the publication. DiversityInc.com reaches more than 1 million unique monthly visitors and DiversityInc magazine has an audited circulation of more than 340,000. Drinks will be served in the Wellington foyer as you are greeted with an encore presentation by vocalist Eddie Davenport. Dinner begins promptly at 7:30 pm. You won't want to miss this unforgettable and luminous event.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
7:30 am – 2:00 pm	Registration open
7:45 am – 8:45 am	General Plenary Session - Breakfast served Paralympic Sport: A Platform for Life Keynote: •  John F. Register, Associate Director Community and Military Programs, United States Olympic Committee, U.S. Paralympics Division Description: Sports plays a critical role in American society. Yet many times we over look the intrinsic benefits sports has on other areas of American life. The skills of teamwork, camaraderie and esprit de corps translate to high achievement in the collegiate classroom as well as the corporate board room. This presentations seeks to clearly identify sports as a means to quality employment.
7:30 am – 3:00 pm	Expo open
9:00 am – 10:15 am	Breakout Session: Talent 1 Leveraging Disability Inclusion through Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) Speakers: •  Ann Andreosatos, North American Diversity & Inclusion Practice, People with Disabilities Leader, Proctor & Gamble • Kathy Hannan, National Managing Partner, Corporate Social Responsibility and Diversity, KPMG LLP •  Lynda Costa, Sales & Strategy, President, Westchester EnAble, Pepsi-Cola North America •  Sandra Bushby, Director, Global Diversity & Inclusion Strategy, Pfizer Inc. •  Moderated by *Lori Golden, Inclusiveness Consultant and Lead of AccessAbilities, Ernst & Young, LLP, USBLN® Board member Description: Employee Resource Groups (or affinity groups) can help drive change through the workplace, marketplace and supply chain. Articulating the economic benefit and aligning disability with the bottom line are critical to success. Come learn from four ERG leaders how they are: •  Aligning their ERG goals with business goals; •  Raising awareness of disabilities issues within their organizations; •  Building broad participation and support; •  Attracting senior and mid-level leadership; and, •  Advancing disabilities inclusiveness in the workplace, marketplace and supply chain.
9:00 am – 10:15 am	Breakout Session: Talent 2 Concrete Steps to Measurable ROI, Accommodation & Increased Productivity Speakers: •  Jill Cariglia, Manager, Disability and Leave Programs, Unum •  Judith Barron-Songy, Disability Management Consultant, Unum •  Stanley Saucier, Disability Management Consultant, Unum •  Rich Donovan, Managing Partner, IPS Group LLC •  Debra Ruh, CEO, TecAccess LLC Description: Increasing revenue and productivity are goals of every business. We provide concrete steps to driving return on investment by relating disability to Customers and keep the employee w/disabilities at work. Statistics, examples and process will combine to prove measurable results.
9:00 am – 10:15 am	Breakout Session: Talent 3 A Partnership That Works: From Resource to Reality Speakers: •  Colet Mitchell, M.Ed., Policy Advisor, US. DOL-Office of Disability Employment Policy •  Melinda Evans, Chief Global Diversity Officer, Computer Sciences Corporation CSC Description: A key to employing people with disabilities including veterans is finding employers who are engaged and ready to hire. Join us for an informative session featuring new resources you can use to support your recruitment/retention initiatives and an employer who will share her experiences in using these new tools to hire talented workers with disabilities. Learn how to develop/enhance a successful recruitment/retention program and the free resources available from the newly released disability nondiscrimination elaws, the Employer Assistance Resource Network and the efforts of Ms. Evans to translate these resources into the reality of an inclusive and diverse workplace at CSC. From “Resource to Reality” will assist you in creating an action plan to bolster your efforts. Learning Objectives: •  Attendees will be able to utilize a set of tools and resources to jumpstart their recruitment efforts for veterans, students and adults with disabilities. We will provide web links and hard copy resources to take away, including our new Flip Guide to Diversifying Your Workforce, the Business Case for the Employment of People with Disabilities, the newly released Disability nondiscrimination elaws Advisor (years in the development) as well as the re-designed Employer Assistance and Resource Network website. •  Session attendees will examine how to integrate business case messages into their recruiting strategy, using ODEP's new Business Case for the Employment of People with Disabilities, and examine how best to make the case to key leaders on how to maximize this talent pool for their workplace.
9:00 am – 10:15 am	Breakout Session: Market Share Chicago: Unified for Economic Empowerment of People with Disabilities Welcoming remarks delivered by The Honorable Karen Tamley Commissioner, Mayor's Office of People with Disabilities Speakers: •  Kathleen Yosko, President and Chief Executive Officer, Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital •  Mark Williams, Director, disabiltyworks, Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce •  Eric Lipp, Director, Open Doors Organization •  Moderated by Pam Capraro, Manager of Vocational Rehabilitation, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago Description: Strengthened by Mayor Daley's 2002-2005 Disability Employment Task Force, Chicago's leading disability employment advocacy organizations undertook a multi-faceted approach to disability employment that included business and service provider networks, a disability-owned business certification program, and a web-based virtual community of job seekers, employers and service providers. Come learn strategies for replication in your community.
9:00 am – 10:15 am	Breakout Session: Supplier Diversity Beyond Disability Certification Speakers: •  Victoria Fulkerson, National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce •  Carolyn Jones, Assistant Commissioner, Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities •  Alyse Hutchinson, Acting Executive Director, Office of Compliance, City of Chicago Description: The certification offered by the USBLN Disability Supplier Diversity Program is one of several certifications that may be of benefit to your business. Come learn about the national certification programs for minority, women, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and/or transgender business owners, as well as municipal and state certifications.
10:15 am – 10:45 am	Coffee break
10:45 am – 12:00 pm	Breakout Session: Talent 1 Revolutionizing Accommodation Provision & Support – IBM Accessible Workplace Connection Speakers: •  Bill Curtis-Davidson, Accessibility Business Development & Solutions Leader, IBM Human Ability & Accessibility Center • Matt King, IBM I/T Chief Accessibility Strategist, IBM Business Transformation/CIO - Global Workforce and Web Process Enablement Description: Providing effective accommodation and support is challenging. IBM presents its experience transforming business processes to ensure every employee can be competitively productive. A detailed demonstration of IBM Accessible Workplace Connection will illustrate how IBM is able to efficiently manage accommodations. Learning Objectives: •  Understand challenges in providing an integrated, worldwide business process that consistently delivers, maintains, and supports effective accommodations for employees with disabilities. •  Learn how a major multinational corporation (IBM) implemented a global accommodation process and system/applications to support accommodations catalog management, personal employee accommodation profiles, and accommodation requests/case management. •  Understand the potential benefits of implementing a global accommodation process and system/applications (e.g. higher PwD productivity, reduced management overhead, broader transformation, etc.)
10:45 am – 12:00 pm	Breakout Session: Talent 2 Ask the Operations Experts Speakers: •  Randy Lewis, Senior Vice President – Distribution, Walgreens and USBLN® Conference Chair • James R. Salzano, Executive Vice President, Clarks Companies, N.A. and USBLN® Talent Track Chair •  Rick Keyes, EVP Supply Chain & Manufacturing, Meijer Food Stores •  Stephen J. Szilagyi, Senior Vice President, Distribution, Lowe's Companies, Inc. Description: Bring your questions and get advice from our Operations experts including Randy Lewis, Senior Vice President – Distribution, Walgreens; James R. Salzano, Executive Vice President, Clarks Companies, N.A.; Stephen J. Szilagyi, Senior Vice President, Distribution, Lowe's Companies, Inc. and Rick Keyes, EVP Supply Chain & Manufacturing, Meijer Food Stores. Join your peers to share your best practices and lessons learned from an operational standpoint within your organization. This session provides an open-forum for attendees to discuss their issues, ask questions of our esteemed panel of experts and explore solutions. This educational exchange is the perfect setting to share tips and promises to be a valuable and interactive session.
10:45 am – 12:00 pm	Breakout Session: Talent 3 How to Determine the ROI for Hiring and Retaining Employees with Disabilities Speaker: •  Dr. Ed Hubbard, Principal, Hubbard Diversity Measurement & Productivity (HDM&P) Institute Description: In order to generate the highest ROI for stockholders and stakeholders, we must remove any and all barriers to employee performance. Businesses that recruit, develop and retain people with disabilities can turn an underutilized human asset into business opportunities and improved financial results. This session will show you how to measure this impact in dollars and "cents/sense."
10:45 am – 12:00 pm	Breakout Session: Talent 4 - Job Accommodation Network (JAN) SNAP Your Website into Shape Speakers: •  Beth Loy, Ph.D., Job Accommodation Network (JAN) •  Linda Carter Batiste, J.D., Job Accommodation Network (JAN) Description: Learn practical tips for making sure your Website is accessible. Follow JAN's SNAP Process: 1) Select your team, 2) No is not an answer, 3) Accept challenges, and 4) Prioritize accessibility first. Work through the most common Website accessibility issues, and learn how to manage those high priority accessibility barriers. Leave this session knowing you can SNAP your Website into shape. Learning Objectives: •  Become familiar with accessible Website techniques and examples. •  Learn a process for evaluating the accessibility of Websites. •  Use techniques in conjunction with JAN as a resource to navigate accessibility issues.
10:45 am – 12:00 pm	Breakout Session: Market Share Market Share Leading Practices Forum Speaker: •  *Martha C. Artiles, Global Chief Diversity Officer, Manpower Inc., USBLN® Board member Topic: Best Practice Sharing - Manpower Project Ability Description: Project Ability is a collaborative approach that involves local Community Based Organizations (CBO's), the Department of Rehabilitation/Vocational Rehabilitation and Manpower to place people with disabilities into high demand jobs. It was launched in May as a pilot in San Jose, California and has resulted in over 30 placements to date. Many of these opportunities are consumer facing roles which we know comprises a continuously growing people with disability sector. Speaker: •  Jeffrey A. Kramer, Dir-External Affairs, Public Affairs, Policy & Communications, Verizon Topic: Market Share Leading Practices in Verizon Description: The presentation will focus on Verizon's commitment to Universal Design Principles and the manner in which it develops and introduces accessible products and services into the marketplace. Additionally, the importance of internal company support will be highlighted and a snapshot of the various wireless, video, web-based and customer service offerings will be reviewed.
12:15 pm – 1:30 pm	General Plenary Closing Session - Lunch served Framework for the Future Forum Keynote: •  Mary O'Hara-Devereaux, Founder and CEO, Global Foresight Topic: The Future Health Care Consumer: Starring Role- People with Disabilities Description: As health care transforms over the next 10 years consumers will be major drivers of change in the system. People with disabilities; have an historic opportunity to play a ‘starring role’. Look through the futures lens to see how they do it and get a preview of the impacts that await them. Keynote: •  Barbara A. Otto, Executive Director, Health & Disability Advocates •  Paul Marobella, Managing Director, Wirestone Topic: Sustaining Momentum for a Diverse Workforce at the State Level – Models and Partnerships that Work Description: The objective of this session is to share what is working across the country for sustaining Business Leadership Network activities and ideas on how the Business Leadership Networks can participate in the Think Beyond the Label marketing campaign.
1:30 pm – 2:00 pm	Wrap-up and conference close
1:45 pm – 3:00 pm	USBLN® Post-conference Sessions BLN Affiliates Meeting
1:45 pm – 3:00 pm	Conference Planning Committee Debrief
3:00 pm – 5:00 pm	Access Living “Open House” & Tour - Leading Center for Independent Living Description: Following the conference close, Access Living is happy to open their doors and host an Open House featuring the nation's leading Center for Independent Living which has built a Universally Designed and Green building in which reasonable accommodations, alternative communications and disability arts and culture are incorporated as part of everyday work life. Website: www.accessliving.org
3:00 pm – 5:00 pm	Exhibitor Teardown

(*) denotes USBLN® Board Members

>> Registration is NOW OPEN! << 

2010 Programming:

	•	Talent: Encompassing Operations and Human Resources from Recruitment through Retention - Hear other companies explain the success they have had in employing people with disabilities within their operations. These sessions will focus on how including people with disabilities and expanding diversity improves your bottom line. Your company can also gain by targeting all aspects of the disability workforce, including youth preparedness, disabled Veterans and additional talent sourcing. Understand the ROI for hiring, promoting and retaining employees with disabilities and discover solutions to common challenges including transportation and universal access. Learn how to help others in your organization understand this business imperative through the creation and development of disability-focused Employee Resource Groups and much more.
	•	Market Share - Learn key trends, strategies and dynamic practices on how to effectively market to consumers with disabilities, while also making marketing more accessible and tapping into a loyal consumer base. Find out about improvements to product development that supports enhanced customer experiences for the disability community and how to tap into a customer base with $220 billion in spendable, discretionary income.
	•	Supplier Diversity - Enhance your corporation’s diversity and inclusion efforts by including businesses owned by entrepreneurs with disabilities in your supplier diversity program. Learn the business case and strategy for the inclusion of certified disability-owned businesses, and begin building relationships with certified businesses in attendance. Discover how certification can benefit your disability-owned business. Network with other entrepreneurs with disabilities.
	•	JAN’s Accommodation Solutions for Business - Discover cutting-edge job accommodation solutions from senior JAN Consultants. Legislative changes effecting disability employment practices will also be explored. Job Accommodation Network (JAN) sessions within the Talent track are designed to significantly increase participants’ knowledge base and skills regarding reasonable accommodation solutions, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and its recent Amendments.