Washington, D.C. (10/08/13) –The National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) is proud to announce that Sam McClure, NGLCC Director of Affiliate Relations and External Affairs will be honored with the 2013 National Disability Leadership Award from the World Institute on Disability (WID) during its annual gala on October 24 in Berkeley, California.
McClure started her focus on disability employment two-and-a-half years ago, when she came to NGLCC and began work on several disability-employment initiatives, including the Add Us In California Consortium initiative sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) where NGLCC serves as lead business partner.
The initiative is designed to identify and develop strategies to increase employment opportunities within the small business community for individuals with disabilities, especially from historically-excluded communities. Included within the small business community are targeted businesses that are owned and operated by people of color; economically disadvantaged; lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) individuals; women, veterans, and people with disabilities.
“Under NGLCC’s guidance, specifically Sam McClure’s leadership, we’ve learned how to translate business best practices to ensure our employment inclusion strategies align with our intern applicants and their potential employers,” said Anita Shafer Aaron, WID Executive Director. “Sam was the linchpin in engaging NGLCC affiliates across California creating new internship opportunities for students and veterans with disabilities.”
The Add Us In California Consortium, now in its third year, will continue to proactively place interns with disabilities with California employers in the program. NGLCC works closely with ODEP and WID to ensure both the supply and demand sides of the employment equation are engaged to maximize results. Under McClure’s leadership, the consortium achieved Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with four local NGLCC affiliate chambers, resulting in 10 internships and two position conversions into a full-time hire.
“I’ve been very inspired by NGLCC’s co-founders who’ve always believed that to truly move LGBT inclusion forward we must advocate aggressively for an economy that is fully inclusive of all people,” said McClure. “It was that spirit that brought me this consortium, and we’ve created employment opportunities for people with disabilities while offering business solutions for employers. I’m very proud of our results.”
McClure will accept the Award in person at WID’s annual gala, the Ever Widening Circle, on October 24 in Berkeley, California. Previous honorees include Senator Tom Harkin and former Congressman Tony Coelho, original sponsor of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
“The Award coincides with October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month, and this year’s theme is Because We Are EQUAL to the Task,” added Shafer Aaron. “We appreciate NGLCC’s support in reinforcing the truth that people with disabilities ARE equal to the task.”
For more information, contact Laura Berry at lberry@nglcc.org or 1-202-234-9181.
About NGLCC
The National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) is the only national not-for-profit advocacy organization dedicated to expanding the economic opportunities and advancements of LGBT business community. With more than 29,000 members, 140 corporate partners, and 51 local, state, and international affiliate chambers, NGLCC is the largest LGBT business development and economic advocacy organization in the world. For more information, visit www.NGLCC.org.
About World Institute of Disability
The mission of the World Institute on Disability (WID) in communities and nations worldwide is to eliminate barriers to full social integration and increase employment, economic security and health care for persons with disabilities. WID creates innovative programs and tools; conducts research, training, public education and advocacy campaigns; and provides technical assistance. For more information, visit www.wid.org.
