Additional Resources
Ambition to Achievement: Goal Setting That Works
Ambition is great, but ambition without feasibility is failure in disguise. Around this time of year, you’re setting goals for your business—brainstorming, whiteboarding, and daring to dream big. But without the right structure, capabilities, and systems, those goals risk remaining just that—dreams.
So, what does it take to translate ambition into actual impact? What does it take to turn bold goals into real success?
It takes an integrated set of choices, capabilities, and support systems—in other words, it takes an engine to drive your goals forward.
The Business Goal Engine (BGE) is a powerful framework of six interconnected, interdependent elements designed to move you from ambition to achievement.
Join us for the Ambition to Achievement Masterclass, where you’ll learn how to:
- Turn bold ambitions into feasible, actionable goals.
- Build the systems and capabilities needed to bring strategy to life.
- Align dreams, tactics, and techniques, for real and sustained progress
This isn’t just about dreaming big—it’s about winning smart. Whether you’re planning for 2025 or the decade ahead, this masterclass will provide the clarity and tools you need to turn ambition into achievement and vision into real, lasting impact.
ASL Interpretation and Captioning will be provided. To make a reasonable accommodation request or if you have questions about this session, please email Alexis Jones at ajones@ndi-inc.org. Please allow at least 3-5 business days’ advance notice; last minute requests will be accepted, but may not be possible to fulfill.
Gallaudet Innovation and Entrepreneurship Institute Student BisonTank
This competition offers students and alumni an opportunity to build on their creativity and entrepreneurial spirit.
Gallaudet Innovation and Entrepreneurship Institute (GIEI) annually host BisonTank Business Competition. This competition offers students and alumni an opportunity to build on their creativity and entrepreneurial spirit as well as the mindset required to be successful Changemakers. As well, it offers students the opportunity to explore ways to give back to the community through their innovative ideas.
Eligibility:
1. There is no fee for entry.
2. A proposal may be submitted by an individual or as a teams up to 2 members.
3. Each individual and/or team may submit only one proposal for consideration.
4. All participants, including those submitting as a team, must be currently enrolled as a degree seeking student at Gallaudet University.
4. Students who are currently on academic or disciplinary probation are not eligible to participate.
5.. The deadline to submit a proposal is February 2, 2025 at 11:59 pm eastern. The University reserves the right to determine whether any proposals submitted after the deadline will be accepted.
Proposal Requirements:
1. Proposals must be in the idea or conceptual phase. No existing start-ups will be considered.
2. Proposals must be the original work of the participants and must not infringe upon another party’s intellectual property rights.
3. Proposals containing racial slurs, sexist remarks, profanity or other inappropriate or unethical content will be disqualified.
4. Proposals must not violate any applicable federal and DC state laws.
If you are interested in applying , please submit your application here by Sunday, February 2, 11:59PM EST.
Yes, You Can Work! Maximizing Income Through Competitive Employment
Join us for an informative webinar where we’ll discuss competitive employment opportunities for SSI/SSDI applicants and beneficiaries.
Our panel of experts includes representatives from Cornell University’s Yang-Tan Institute on Employment and Disability and National Disability Institute, who will provide an overview of employment supports, opportunities and benefits planning services available to individuals with disabilities.
You’ll hear from a SSI/SSDI Outreach Access and Recovery (SOAR) provider who will share their approach to discussing competitive work with SOAR-assisted SSI/SSDI applicants and collaborating with vocational rehabilitation programs. We will also be joined by an SSI/SSDI beneficiary who will share their personal experience working with a SOAR Specialist and Vocational Rehabilitation to successfully access SSA benefits and obtain employment. Tools and resources developed by the SOAR TA Center will be discussed and shared.
Access the webinar materials and recording
Please note: ASL Interpretation and Captioning was be provided during the live event.
Please submit your questions or comments to: soar@prainc.com.
Making Space for Disabled Creatives
This webinar introduced attendees to Making Space, an accessible talent acquisition and learning platform that enhances quality employment opportunities for Disabled people. Participants will explore creative career pathways available through Making Space, and discover success stories stemming from their partnerships, including the recent collaboration with NBCUniversal. This session is ideal for Disabled people aiming for careers in creative fields, HR professionals focused on fostering inclusive employment, educators in creative and technical disciplines, and advocates for disability rights and workplace inclusion. The session will be hosted by founder & CEO, Keely Cat-Wells.
Watch the Zoom Recording (with shared screen and gallery view)
Watch the Webinar on YouTube (with corrected captions)
View and download the PowerPoint Slides
ASL Interpretation was provided by Interpreter Now and Captioning was provided by Caption First. If you have questions about this session, please email Alexis Jones at ajones@ndi-inc.org.
Evaluating Your Idea Before It’s Too Late (The Job-To-Be-Done Way)
How do you know if you’re onto something? And how do you assess its viability before investing time, resources, and energy? Enter the Job-To-Be-Done (JTBD) framework—a powerful methodology for understanding customer needs and designing solutions that resonate.
In this practical session, we dive deep into the approach. You will walk away with the practical toolset and skillset required to ensure you’re on the right track before making significant investments.
Watch the Zoom Recording (with shared screen and gallery view)
Watch the Webinar on YouTube (with corrected captions) – Coming Soon!
View and download the PowerPoint Slides
ASL Interpretation and Captioning were be provided. If you have questions about this session, please email Alexis Jones at ajones@ndi-inc.org.
Disability Owned Convening
The Small Business Hub, at National Disability Institute (NDI), is excited to invite you to its Third Annual Disability Owned Convening, a national and virtual event taking place on November 20th and 21st, 2024. In the last two years, the Disability Owned Convening brought together more than 1,800 entrepreneurs and small business owners with disabilities, entrepreneurial support organizations, state vocational rehabilitation counsellors, policy makers, financial institutions and disability advocates from across the country.
This fully accessible convening offers invaluable opportunities to exchange information, gain actionable advice and innovative ideas and hear from successful entrepreneurs who will share their knowledge and insights. The plenary and concurrent breakout sessions will cover a wide range of topics including access to capital, marketing, technology tools and business organization. Additionally, dedicated innovation economy sessions will provide support to businesses ready to scale.
5 Top Reasons You Should Attend!
- Connect and learn from like-minded entrepreneurs who truly understand your opportunities and challenges
- Have your questions answered in real time by industry experts and thought leaders
- Invest in yourself and your business by attending the convening
- Participate in an inclusive, diverse and energizing environment
- Gain knowledge and resources on the latest industry trends and innovations
All registration fees have been prepaid by our sponsors, making the conference free for you to attend.
Watch recordings from the last two years
Subscribe to the newsletter to stay informed about registration, speakers and more details!
EARN Small Business Webinar Series: Local and State Disability Inclusion Incentives and Resources for Small Businesses
01:00 PM – 02:00 PM Eastern
Did you know that many local and state governments provide incentives and resources to small businesses to meet their workforce needs with talent with disabilities? These incentives and resources help the business hire and retain workers with disabilities. Local and state governments offer various supports, such as tax incentives or reimbursement for the cost of workplace accommodations. Many small businesses can benefit from these – and similar support may exist in your area.
In this webinar, learn about innovative state and local programs that help small businesses tap into a talented and diverse workforce and promote inclusivity with minimal cost. Experts from Minnesota’s Employer Reasonable Accommodation Fund and the City of Tacoma, Washington Department of Finance will offer participants the reasons to and guidance on developing and implementing such a program. The benefits of these programs will also be discussed.
During this webinar, participants will learn more about:
- A local program providing tax incentives for supporting small businesses to meet their workforce needs with talent with disabilities
- A state government-funded program that provides financial assistance to employers to cover accommodations for disabled employees
- Ways to build mutually beneficial relationships between small business, community organizations, and state and local governments
ASL and real-time captioning will be provided.
Please reach out to EARN if you have any questions about this event at: earn@askearn.org.
National Symposium on Quality Employment 2024
Hosted by the Vocational Rehabilitation Technical Assistance Center for Quality Employment
Registration is Now Open!
When: May 22 and 23, 2024
Location: Grainger Hall, 975 University Avenue
Madison, Wisconsin or Virtually on Zoom
Cost: Free, registration required.
CRCs: Certified Rehabilitation Counselors (in-person and attending virtually) can earn a total of 15 CRC CEUs, of which nine will qualify for ethics credits
Join us in Person or Virtually!
If you have an accommodations request or a dietary restriction, please register by 3/30/24.
Beyond Our Disabilities – Celebrating Black Disabled Entrepreneurs
“Beyond our Disabilities – Celebrating Black Disabled Entrepreneurs” is an empowering event dedicated to showcasing the tenacity and innovation of Black entrepreneurs with disabilities. This event, in collaboration with National Disability Institute (NDI) and Financial Joy School, offers the inspirational stories of determination and success from founders who have triumphantly navigated a variety of challenges. The event will be hosted by the charismatic Ruby SunShine Taylor and feature a panel of outstanding entrepreneurs, including Mariah Barber from Invisible Strengths, Dr. Samantha Scott of JuneBrain and Stephanie Thomas of Cur8able.com. Join us for an afternoon of celebration, insights and appreciation for these extraordinary individuals who have turned obstacles into opportunities for growth and achievement
Watch the Zoom Recording (with shared screen and gallery view)
Watch the Webinar on YouTube (with corrected captions)
View and Download the PowerPoint Slides
ASL Interpretation was provided by Interpreter Now and Captioning was provided by Caption First. If you have questions about this session, please email Alexis Jones at ajones@ndi-inc.org.
Preparing for Accessing Capital
During this session, Karlene Sinclair-Robinson, Director of CBP’s Business Finance Center, will address the capital challenges small business can face, and explore how to prepare for capital and strategies for accessing it. Community Business Partnership (CBP), based in Springfield, Virginia, is one of the organizations certified by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s CDFI Fund. They are also a Small Business Administration’s Approved Intermediary Microlender, and a Virginia Small Business Resiliency Lender. The organization focuses on lending to small businesses, startups, and individuals seeking to start up micro-enterprises. The CBP provides loans starting at $1,000 to qualified applicants in their geographically approved markets.
Karlene started with CBP as a client 18+ years ago and evolved to where she supported the organization’s lending mission to bringing the current loan funds and programs to the community. Karlene is considered an Alternative Financing Expert and is a speaker on numerous topics impacting the small business community.
Presented by: Community Business Partnerships
Watch the Zoom Recording (with shared screen and gallery view)
ASL Interpretation was provided by Interpreter Now and Captioning was provided by Caption First. If you have questions about this session, please email Alexis Jones at ajones@ndi-inc.org.
Is Owning a Business a Good Fit for You?
Completing this class is an important step towards deciding whether you should start a business. After completing this class, you will be able to:
- Clarify some of the myths and realities of small business ownership.
- Start a self-assessment to determine your readiness to become a small business owner.
- Set a plan of action to complete your self-assessments by seeking feedback from stakeholders, such as family, friends, and potential customers.
- Have exclusive access to grant opportunities and professional consulting and mentorship 1:1.
- Learn more about various business resources and program opportunities.
Register here: https://startup2023.eventbrite.com
Sign up for Verizon Small Business Digital Ready.
To make a reasonable accommodation request or if you have questions about this event, please email Ruth Chavez at rchavez@ndi-inc.org. Please allow at least 3-5 business days’ advance notice; last minute requests will be accepted though may not be possible to fulfill.
Creating Accessible Emails
Email is a vital communication tool, so it’s important to avoid accessibility barriers that might prevent someone from viewing or understanding a message. Research shows that when an email is accessible, people are more likely to read it. Learn how to make your emails more accessible for all your clients, customers, donors, etc.
Presented by: Results One LLC
Watch the Zoom Recording (with shared screen and gallery view)
Watch the Webinar on YouTube (with corrected captions)
View and Download the PowerPoint slides
ASL Interpretation was provided by Interpreter Now and Captioning was provided by Caption First. If you have questions about this session, please email Alexis Jones at ajones@ndi-inc.org.
Guardianship and Self-Employment Listening Session
We held a listening session to learn how guardianship or supported decision making (SDM) can facilitate or be a barrier to self-employment for people with disabilities. We invited people with disabilities and their parents who have started down the path of self-employment and have a guardian/SDM. We were interested in hearing about your experiences.
ASL Interpretation and Captioning were provided. If you have questions about this session, please email Alexis Jones at ajones@ndi-inc.org.
This event was not be recorded for public viewing.
Creating Accessible PDFs
PDF document accessibility plays a vital role in the overall accessibility of your website. To provide an equal experience for all users, regardless of disability, you must develop all digital content with accessibility in mind.
Presented by Results One LLC
Watch the Zoom Recording (with shared screen and gallery view)
Watch the Webinar on YouTube (with corrected captions)
ASL Interpretation was provided by Interpreter Now and Captioning was provided by Caption First. If you have questions about this session, please email Alexis Jones at ajones@ndi-inc.org.
Social Media Accessibility
The content you deliver via social media should be accessible. However, social media platforms don’t always make it easy to add alternative text or consider other disabilities like Deaf and Hard of Hearing, visual impairment or loss, distractions, etc. In this workshop, you will learn tips to make your social media content as compliant as possible so everyone can participate.
Presented by Results One LLC
Watch the Zoom Recording (with shared screen and gallery view)
Watch the Webinar on YouTube (with corrected captions)
View and Download the Presentation
ASL Interpretation was provided by Interpreter Now and Captioning was provided by Caption First. If you have questions about this session, please email Alexis Jones at ajones@ndi-inc.org.
Creating Accessible Content for Content Creators
What does accessible content mean, and why is it important to your customers and employees? The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines are a set of principles intended for content and web creators to ensure that all people, including those with disabilities, can view, interact, and share information. This course will teach you how to create accessible content.
Presented by Results One LLC
Watch the Zoom Recording (with shared screen and gallery view)
Watch the Webinar on YouTube (with corrected captions)
ASL Interpretation was provided by Interpreter Now and Captioning was provided by Caption First. If you have questions about this session, please email Alexis Jones at ajones@ndi-inc.org.
Disability-Sensitivity Session 1: Introduction to Disability Inclusion
At the end of the session, you will be able to:
• Identify different types of disabilities as defined by the ADA, including hidden disabilities;
• Share appropriate responses to people with disabilities;
• Use person-centered approaches
• Debunk some common myths about people with disabilities
• Identify specific, actionable tips for treating people with disabilities respectfully
Disability-Sensitivity Session 8: Creating Accessible Content for Content Creators: The Basics
What does accessible content mean, and why is it important to your customers and employees? The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines are a set of principles intended for content and web creators to ensure that all people, including those with disabilities, can view, interact, and share information. This course will teach you how to create accessible content.
ASL interpretation and live captioning (CART) were provided during the session. If you have any accessibility requests or questions, please email ajones@ndi-inc.org.