Past Events
Disability Pride: Stories
of Personal & Professional Identity in Insurance
In honor of Disability Pride Month and the 36th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), this virtual discussion brought together corporate leaders with disabilities from the insurance industry.
Through personal stories and reflections, they shared moments that shaped their careers, including both challenges and opportunities — offering insight for organizations committed to inclusion.
Caroline Ciocca, Account Executive, Executive & Professional Specialty Practice, Marsh McLennan Agency
Travis Gaertner, Managing Director & Executive Sponsor
of WTW’s Disability ERG, WTWDavid Hogg, AVP, Accounting, CNA
Heather Stein, Production Underwriter, RT Specialty
July 22, 2026
11:00am-12:00pm CDT
Online Webinar
July 26, 2026, marks the 36th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Since its enactment, the civil rights law has shaped the development of and conversations around disability rights.
Disability:IN Chicagoland, in collaboration with its affiliate partners Disability:IN DC Metro; Disability:IN Minnesota; Disability:IN Wisconsin; and Disability:IN North Carolina, celebrated the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Lisa Mathess, Principal Consultant, at Job Accommodation Network, Kelley Frake, Program Coordinator for Technical Assistance and Employer Outreach, and Rob Gould, Director of Research and Principal Investigator, at the Great Lakes ADA Center, led a virtual conversation on accommodations and the interactive process.
Accommodations in 2026: Celebrating the 36th Anniversary of the ADA
July 14, 2026
11:00am-12:00pm CDT
Online Webinar
In recognition of Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), celebrated this year on May 21st, Access Living partnered with Disability:IN Chicagoland for a discussion on Access at Work led by Ashley Eisenmenger, Communications Director, and Karen Tamley, CEO, at Access Living.
The session raised awareness of accessibility as a shared responsibility and explored practical strategies for building inclusive cultures through accessible digital spaces.
Attendees gained insights into how inclusive practices improve collaboration and innovation while aligning with the broader mission of Global Accessibility Awareness Day: encouraging people to think, talk, and learn about digital access and inclusion for people with disabilities.
Access at Work: Celebrating
Global Accessibility Awareness Day
May 20, 2026
4:00-6:00pm CDT
Access Living: 115 W. Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL
This "Unhide and Thrive" highlighted the TEDx Talk Speaker and disability diversity expert, Ruth Rathblott. Attendees learned how unhiding your unique differences can foster deeper, more meaningful professional connections.
Ruth Rathblott is a disability diversity expert, bestselling author, and former CEO who spent twenty-five years hiding her disability before transforming her experience into a global movement for authentic inclusion.
This program provided a call to action for organizations to move beyond surface-level diversity and embrace a culture of belonging where transparency becomes the ultimate catalyst for peak performance and innovation.
Unhide & Thrive: Inclusion & Belonging in the Workplace
March 19, 2026
12:00-1:00pm CDT
Virtual via Zoom
This conversation with fellow insurance professionals about disability inclusion in the workplace and marketplace was co-hosted by Ryan Specialty and Disability:IN Chicagoland.
At this roundtable, we explored:
How insurance companies are creating inclusive workplaces
Ways we can better serve customers and communities with disabilities
Opportunities to collaborate across the industry
It provided a professional opportunity to connect, compare notes, and walk away with fresh ideas to bring back to your own organization.
Insurance Roundtable on Disability Inclusion
March 4, 2026
3:00-4:30pm CDT
Location: Ryan Specialty, 155 N Wacker, Suite 4000
2026 Disability Index Informational Session 2
January 21, 2026
12:00-1:30pm CDT
Virtual via Zoom
During this second of two offerings of a Disability Index Info Session, participants learned about how to get registered for the 2026 Index, how to navigate the new Index platform & submit their benchmark responses, & to get their questions answered during a Q&A period.
This celebratory event centered around a conversation with Survivor 48 contestants as they shared their journey as disability inclusion advocates.
Eva Erickson and Mitch Guerra from the hit TV show, Survivor, shared their personal journeys of resilience, representation, and inclusion. From Island to Impact explored how surviving on the island was just the beginning—these individuals continue to overcome challenges and break barriers in their everyday lives.
Attendees gained a deeper understanding of the importance of visibility, accessibility, and allyship in creating inclusive communities and workplaces.
From Island to Impact: Celebrating International Day of Persons with Disabilities
December 3, 2025
12:00-1:30pm CDT
Virtual via Zoom
2025 Disability Inclusion Opportunity Summit
On Thursday, October 30, Disability:IN Chicagoland – the local affiliate of Disability:IN and Illinois’ only B2B association supporting corporate disability inclusion in the workplace, marketplace and supply chain – hosted its annual Disability Inclusion Opportunity Summit in partnership with McDonald’s Corporation.
This was a full-day corporate disability inclusion conference in the West Loop of Chicago, where attendees heard from fellow disability inclusion advocates, connected over a local exhibitor fair, and participated in networking opportunities and small group discussions,
Attendees connected with disability inclusion, HR, and talent acquisition champions; E/BRG leaders; supplier diversity and accessibility professionals; and employees with disabilities. Corporate disability inclusion experts from around the country shared their insights & expertise at this in-person conference in celebration of Disability Employment Awareness Month.
October 30, 2025
9:00am-4:00pm CDT
McDonald’s: 110 North Carpenter Street
Annual Meeting
September 11, 2025
4:30-6:30pm CDT
The Chicago Lighthouse: 1850 W. Roosevelt Road
Our partners met for a discussion on disability employment that was followed by a networking reception at The Chicago Lighthouse.
Change Not Charity: Celebrating the 35th Anniversary of the ADA
July 26, 2025, marked the 35th anniversary of the civil rights law, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Since its enactment, the ADA has shaped the development of and conversations around disability rights.
The virtual session included a screening of recent PBS documentary, Change Not Charity, which explores the lead up to the passage of the ADA. Following the screening, we had a fireside chat with Karen Tamley, CEO of Access Living and Chris Bell, Attorney and co-author of the ADA, who shared their experiences in the movement that led to the ADA's passage.
July 23, 2025
12:00-1:00pm CDT
Online Webinar
Disability E/BRG Leadership Within the Current Landscape
In the last several months, disability inclusion leaders have been met with additional challenges to workplace inclusion and E/BRG engagement.
This has created questions on how to successfully balance building inclusive corporate culture while also complying with current corporate priorities. Disability:IN Chicagoland partnered with Scott Hoesman, CEO of inQUEST Consulting, for a facilitated discussion on disability Employee/Business Resource Groups (E/BRGs).
June 3, 2025
11:00am-12:00pm CDT
Online Webinar
In recognition of Global Accessibility Awareness Day (#GAAD), celebrated this year on May 15th, we partnered with Access Living for an in-person discussion on Creating Accessible Workplaces led by Bridget Hayman, Communications Director, and Karen Tamley, CEO, at Access Living.
Access Living Board members and Disability:IN Chicagoland corporate partners learned about workplace accessibility including physical space and accommodations. Attendees connected post-conversation at the reception on Access Living’s rooftop, with light hors d’oeuvres and drinks.
Creating Accessible Workplaces
May 13, 2025
4:00-6:00pm CDT
Access Living: 115 W. Chicago Avenue
Stress Management in Uncertain Times
Employees face various stressors both in and out of the workplace. Concerns about employer support are common, and inadequate stress management can result in high burnout and attrition rates.
This virtual training provided therapy-based tools to foster meaningful connections and an experiential approach to enhance vulnerability and build a shared reality. Dr. Sunitha Chandy, Founder & CEO of the Artesian Collaborative, lead this interactive discussion of stress management strategies, generating questions and suggestions to foster healthy team functioning.
May 8, 2025
11:00am-12:00pm CDT
Online Webinar
Distinguishing Disability Inclusion from Affirmative Action
The recent Executive Orders on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) issued by the new administration this year have prompted both review of & changes to corporate DEI events. This has prompted many of us to seek clarification & guidance, coupled with concerns about corporate disability inclusion efforts.
Ann Deschamps from the Mid-Atlantic ADA Center & Robin Jones from the Great Lakes ADA Center lead a virtual conversation on disability inclusion in the context of the ADA. The discussion included a review of reasonable accommodations & the ADA’s objective to level the playing field, not to create preferential treatment.
April 9, 2025
11:00am-12:30pm CDT
Online Webinar
Your Business Partner for Disability Inclusion
Disability:IN Chicagoland is the leading nonprofit resource for business disability inclusion. Our network of nearly 50 partner organizations drives progress on disability inclusion through initiatives, tools, and expertise that deliver long-term business impact.