EMPOWER Award Nominations
The EMPOWER Award (Employers Making Positions Open & Within Employee Reach) is offered for outstanding achievement in improving employment opportunities for persons with disabilities.
Inspired by former TDN CEO, Mike Zelley, this EMPOWER award spotlights an employer who may have initially thought they were taking a risk on hiring a person(s) with a disability; yet, found the benefits of a diverse, dependable workplace not only rewarding, but also an enriching opportunity. Zelley fully embraces the concept of empowering others through advocating at the local, state, and national level for equal access; as well as his aptitude to see everyone’s abilities.
The deadline for nominations is Friday, October 2 at 5 PM. Nominate a Business for EMPOWER Award
Empowered Employment
For Disability Employment Awareness Month, The Disability Network and The Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce have partnered to host a week of talks and workshops celebrating disability diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
Panel and Workshop Schedule
Monday, October 12 | Empowered Employees
10 – 11 AM
Register for panel
(Available via Zoom and live streaming)
To kick-off our week-long series for Disability Employment Awareness Month, we are hosting a panel discussion led by employees with disabilities who will be discussing employer accommodations. Gain insight into what it was like to seek, get, and keep a job for these empowered employees.
Tuesday, October 13 | Empowered Employers
10 – 11 AM
Register for panel
(Available via Zoom and live streaming)
Join leaders from MTA-Flint, Genesee Packaging and the Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce for a panel discussion on employing beyond bias. They will share stories of success in hiring persons with varying abilities and backgrounds, and strategies for organizations who would like to replicate or create their own empowered workforce.
Wednesday, October 14 | Dave Rendall, Author of Freak Factor and Pink Goldfish
10 – 11 AM
Register for workshop
(Closed Zoom; there will not be a live stream available)
Dave Rendall returns to Flint & Genesee! Whether it’s your first time with Dave or your 20th, you’ll gain deeper insight into your and your organization’s strengths and ways to maximize weaknesses. We’ll be moving beyond our biases to see the true potential of people and our organizations.
Thursday, October 15 | Keynote by Rob Vallentine & presentation of the EMPOWER award
10 – 11 AM
Register for keynote and EMPOWER awards
(Available via Zoom and live streaming; registration coming soon)
Our week-long series ends with presentation of The Disability Network’s EMPOWER award and a keynote from Rob Vallentine, former president of The Dow Chemical Company and current executive coach for Creating Our Best, a company focused on maximizing organizational strength through personal development.
Rob worked at The Dow Chemical Company for more than 30 years, beginning his career in sales and then moving to marketing, public affairs and then dedicating the last 10 years to Community Development, Social Impact and Global Citizenship.
In addition, Rob currently serves as an executive coach for Creating Our Best, a company focused on maximizing organizational strength through personal development, and he is serving as a teaching fellow for Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship. Rob is a certified instructor for the National Council for Behavioral Health, Mental Health First Aid Program and LivingWorks, SafeTALK suicide prevention