About Us
About Us: Disability:IN Ohio, formerly known as Ohio Business Leadership Network (OHBLN), is a state affiliate of the Disability:IN (formerly known as U.S. Business Leadership Network) national network.
Our Mission: Disability:IN Ohio’s mission is to provide employers with valuable information and resources to support their disability inclusion initiatives through a robust peer network of business practitioners.
Value Statement: We are a network of Ohio employers seeking to advance disability inclusion in our respective companies and enabling member companies to build inclusive workforces.
Our Purpose: We empower businesses to achieve disability inclusion and equality.
Our Shared Commitments: To collaborate with purpose to promote the full inclusion of people with disabilities, to inspire accessible innovation for all, and to foster cultures of inclusion.
Disability:IN Ohio provides participating employers with networking opportunities, education, and information on disability-related topics and resources to effectively increase understanding and awareness in the workplace. Disability:IN Ohio also provides lessons learned in recruiting, hiring, accommodating, and improving customer service for people with disabilities. Additionally, Disability:IN Ohio assists businesses in navigating and directly linking Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities and community resources to get their employment needs met.
Initially, Disability:IN Ohio began with a small number of employers reaching out to other employers about hiring job seekers with disabilities.
In April 2011, Disability:IN Ohio had their kick off hosted by Cardinal Health in Columbus.
In the Fall of 2013, Disability:IN Ohio incorporated as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization and created an executive board of directors.
In November 2013, Disability:IN Ohio received a grant from a family foundation and began further collaboration with Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD). This was a collaborative project of Disability:IN Ohio and OOD, called Central Ohio Workplace Initiative (COWI). The purpose of COWI was to work with businesses to create demand for qualified job seekers with disabilities in distribution, retail, healthcare and other industries.
Disability:IN Ohio collaborates with OOD and receives administrative support to achieve the disability inclusion initiatives offered to employer members.