USBLN® Value Proposition and Accomplishments
Vision:
The USBLN® works toward a world in which the US Business Community recognized the contributions of
people with disabilities and as a result includes them in their workplaces, supply chains and marketplaces.
Mission:
The USBLN® is a national non-profit, non-partisan organization that helps business drive performance by
leveraging disability inclusion in the workplace, supply chain and marketplace.
Value Proposition:
The USBLN® is a trusted advisor and the leading voice of business to business, to government and to media
regarding disability inclusion in the workplace, supply chain and marketplace.
USBLN® Is:
A national non-profit organization that is the voice of business to business regarding disability inclusion in the
workplace, supply chain and marketplace. It supports businesses in their roles as employers, as buyers and
sellers of goods and services and as corporate citizens. The USBLN® is a trusted, non-partisan advisor as the
voice for business in policy development at all levels of government and as an advocate for disability inclusion.
It represents nearly 50 Business Leadership Network Affiliates across the US who provide local links to service
providers and to prospective employees. The USBLN®’s Disability Supplier Diversity Program® (DSDP) is the
nation’s leading third party certification program for disability-owned businesses, including service-disabled
veteran owned businesses. Other important programs impact, connect and provide a voice for businesses-large
and small, students and individuals with disabilities as employees, consumers and suppliers. In addition, the
USBLN® provides recognition to individuals and companies for their efforts, including a soon to be rolled out
Disability Equality IndexSM (DEISM) -- a joint initiative with American Association of People with Disabilities
(AAPD), and has many tools and materials to help companies with their workforce inclusion policies and
practices. The USBLN® is a highly valued resource serving companies, organizations, government agencies,
the media and individuals within the Disability Community.
Statistics of Note:
1. There are 57 million people with disabilities in the U.S., over 20% of the population, with an annual
disposable income $544 billion in the US alone.
2. There are 1,472,800 people with disabilities in the U. S. who are currently unemployed and are looking
for work according to the 2011 American Community Survey
(http://www.disabilitystatistics.org/reports/acs.cfm?statistics=3)
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US Business Leadership Network’s Recent Accomplishments:
Value to Corporate Members:
1. USBLN® is a trusted advisor to business regarding workplace supply chain and marketplace solutions
and policies related to disability inclusion.
Samples of accomplishments:
a. Webinar series to educate Members, DOBE®s and strategic partners who are federal contractors
on requirements under the new Department of Labor Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and
on the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act
b. The USBLN® certification of Disability-Owned Business Enterprises created a trusted database for
use by Supplier Diversity Programs to support supply chain diversification
c. In partnership with the Job Accommodation Network (JAN), numerous education and discussion
opportunities about essential workplace accommodation solutions
d. The network nearly 50 Business Leadership Network (BLN) Affiliates provide a variety of ongoing
customized education, training and public recognition events to advance disability inclusion to
their business members all year
e. The second Corporate Disability Employment Summit was held in July 2013 in partnership with
U.S. Chamber of Commerce resulting in the publication of the second edition of the Leading
Practices on Disability Inclusion
f. The 2013 Career Link Mentoring Program in partnership with Cornell University (supported
through a grant from the Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation) experienced a 163% increase
in program participants—from 41 in 2012 in 108 in 2013 with 13 recent college graduates
securing internships or full time employment
g. The “soft launch” of the Disability Equality IndexSM (DEISM) -- a joint initiative with AAPD,
occurred at the 2013 USBLN® Annual Conference
h. Resources such as the Disability Inclusion Gold Standard are found in the Members Only section
of the website in the Resource Library
2. USBLN® is the voice of business to all levels of government on disability related public policy
development and reform
a. Executive Director Jill Houghton met with a group of 17 Governors at the 2013 National
Governors’ Annual Conference. Governors noted the USBLN® corporate members from their
states from information about USBLN® distributed to them.
b. Numerous meetings with officials in the U.S. Department of Labor, Social Security
Administration, U.S. Department of Education, U.S. Department of Labor, U. S. Department of
Justice, and the U.S. Department of State, providing input on programs and/or regulations that
will impact employment for people with disabilities and the companies that employ them.
c. Most recently Executive Director Jill Houghton testified for:
i. The U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee meeting in regard to
“The Americans with Disabilities Act and Accessible Transportation: Challenges and
Opportunities”
ii. The U.S. House Ways and Means Committee, Social Security Administration
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3. USBLN® is the bridge between businesses and people with disabilities
a. Provides links nearly 50 Business Leadership Network Affiliates including their local networks
and service providers—many provide mentoring and internship programs
b. Disability Supplier Diversity Program® provides certified suppliers for use in corporate supplier
diversity programs and supply chains
c. Facilitates access to talent (for employment) through alliances with national organizations—IE:
personalize connections to consultants from the Job Accommodation Network (JAN) and the
Employer Assistance and Resource Network (EARN) at the National Conference and throughout
the year, BLN Affiliates and their networks, and Veteran’s programs
d. A mechanism for youth and students to engage with business leaders through the Student
Advisory Council and the Career Link Mentoring Program
4. USBLN® provides a place for business to business engagement around shared interest, ideas, methods,
resources and to support successful techniques regarding disability inclusion in the workforce, supply
chain and marketplace.
a. Annual USBLN® National Conference & Biz2Biz Expo: Includes local Veterans Community Service
Project
b. Disability Supplier Diversity Program® (DSDP)—National Certification Committee
c. Board of Directors
d. Thought Leadership Group
e. The Circle of Champions
f. The Corporate Advisory Board
g. Career Link Mentoring Program and Student Advisory Council
h. Summit for nearly 50 Business Leadership Network Affiliates
i. USBLN®/U.S. Chamber of Commerce Summits: “Corporate Disability Employment Summit-Leading Practices in Disability Inclusion”
j. USBLN® Procurement Council -- active in 2014
k. The Disability Equality IndexSM (DEISM) Advisory Committee -- a joint initiative with AAPD
5. USBLN® brings recognition of good corporate citizenship to help reach 57 million U.S. consumers with
disabilities in the $544 Billion market of consumers with disabilities plus their families and supporters.
a. Corporate Members may use the “US Business Leadership Network®: Disability at Work” logo
and link on their websites, marketing materials, in speeches and presentations
b. When final, recognition in “Disability Equality IndexSM (DEISM)” -- a joint initiative with AAPD, will
help promote corporate good citizenship and can be a tool to build brand image/favor with
consumers
c. Annual recognition of both corporate and individual advocacy and results in regard to disability
business inclusion are: Top Corporation for Disability-Owned Business and the Supply Chain
Advocate of the Year
d. USBLN® Annual Leadership Awards: Recipients are recognized for their outstanding
commitment to promoting disability diversity across their enterprises and clearly embody the
highest ethical standards and values in the community
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© 2013-2014 US Business Leadership Network. All rights reserved.
Value to Corporate Members, Disability-Owned Business Enterprises, the Disability Community (Individuals
and Organizations) and Strategic Partner Organizations:
6. USBLN® is a strong policy advocate, which monitors and influences legislation and regulation at all
levels to be business friendly and to promote disability inclusion—stimulating two way communication
on the issues
a. Executive Director Jill Houghton made comments from the floor for the 2013 National
Governors’ Conference and did a workshop attended 17 Governors and other staff, leading a
discuss about state programs and regulations to include people with disabilities in the
workforce
b. Executive Director Jill Houghton’s frequent meetings, discussions and testimony with policy
makers, government agencies, and others of influence:
i. Numerous meetings with officials in the U.S. Department of Labor, Social Security
Administration, U.S. Department of Education, U.S. Department of Labor, U. S.
Department of Justice, and the U.S. Department of State, providing input on programs
and/or regulations that will impact employment for people with disabilities and the
companies that employ them
ii. Testimony on the Americans with Disabilities Act and Accessible Transportation:
Challenges and Opportunities to the United States Senate-Health Education, Labor and
Pensions Committee (November 17, 2011)
iii. Testimony on Securing the Future of the Social Security Disability Insurance Program to
the United States House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee, Social Security
Sub-Committee (September 14, 2012)
iv. Collaboration with globally based corporate partners to support the ratification of the
Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in the 113th Congress
(currently engaged)
c. Joint USBLN®/U.S. Chamber of Commerce “Corporate Disability Employment Summit” held in
July, 2013
d. Communicates and provides resources for nearly 50 Business Leadership Network Affiliates
and our non-profit partners about pending or recent legislation or regulation
7. USBLN® is a trusted source for media on disability related issues regarding the workplace, supply chain,
marketplace and public policy. Some of the most recent are:
a. Patricia Graves, Certified Disability-Owned Business Enterprise (DOBE®) and President of
Caption First, is featured in the September, 2013 issue of Professional Woman magazine
b. Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Article: “Disability Benchmarking Tool
Coming in 2013”—Jill Houghton quoted on how the index will provide employers with a
transparent, objective roadmap for improving opportunities for people with disabilities
(January 8, 2013)
c. Associate Press Article: “Little Progress on Jobs for Disabled Americans”—Jill Houghton quoted
on working with companies to expand employment for people with disabilities (March 24
2013)
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© 2013-2014 US Business Leadership Network. All rights reserved.
d. Disability Matters Radio Show: “Executive Director of the US Business Leadership Network®” –
Joyce Bender of Bender Consulting Services, Inc. interviews Jill Houghton about the USBLN’s
Disability Supplier Diversity Program® (DSDP) on the VoiceAmerica Channel (April 16, 2013)
e. Comcast Newsmaker Television Show: “Comcast Newsmakers Features a Conversation with Jill
Houghton, USBLN® Executive Director”,--Robert Tranynham of Comcast Newsmakers
interviews Jill to discuss the topics of “Disabilities and Employment” and the “USBLN®’s
Disability Supplier Diversity Program® (DSDP)” (July 2, 2013)
8. USBLN® provides valuable education, information and resources to members, stakeholders and
strategic partners.
a. Annual National Conference & Biz2Biz Expo which includes noted speakers, panels and
workshops on current relevant topics, supplier/buyer connections, student programs and
networking
b. Webinar series to educate Members, Disability-Owned Business Enterprises (DOBE®s) and
strategic partners who are federal contractors on requirements under the new Department of
Labor Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and on the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment
Assistance Act
c. When finalized, the USBLN® Section 503 Self-Evaluation Tool for Federal Contractors will provide
an easy, confidential way to compare a company’s activities to the Section 503 regulation,
tapping into best practices and resources that will reduce time involved in meeting Section 503
requirements
d. Tools such as the Disability Inclusion Gold Standards to help build or improve Corporate
workplace disability inclusion policies and practices
e. Certification of Disability-Owned Businesses Enterprises (DOBE®) and a database of USBLN®
Certified Disability-Owned Business Enterprises
f. Monthly DOBE® teleconferences providing a supporting network for certified suppliers and
corporate members addressing how to access contract bidding opportunities.
g. Eight training calls a year for nearly 50 BLN Affiliates on a variety of topics that help to support
their mission
h. Corporate Members Only Resource Library available to USBLN® Corporate Members in password
protected section Corporate Members Only section of website
i. Publications Library featuring reports, case studies, checklists and guides, interviews and videos
(including television and radio broadcasts featuring Jill Houghton) available on website
Value to Disability-Owned Business Enterprises (DOBE®s) including Service Disabled Veteran Owned
Businesses:
9. USBLN® and its Disability Supplier Diversity Program® (DSDP) supports growth of Disability-Owned
Business Enterprises
a. Serves as the leading national certified of Disability-Owned Business Enterprises (DOBE®s)
b. Provides faster certification for Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Businesses (a type of DOBE®)
c. Facilitates meetings between USBLN® Certified DOBE® suppliers and corporate procurement
decision makers and supplier diversity professionals
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© 2013-2014 US Business Leadership Network. All rights reserved.
d. Provides a platform for sharing of best practices/next practices among DSDP corporate members
to assist in building stronger disability inclusive supplier diversity programs (i.e.: conference
supply chain track sessions)
e. Educates DOBE®s on the needs of large businesses and how to be a valued partner (i.e.:
conference supply chain track sessions)
f. Promotes disability inclusive processes and utilization of certified DOBE®s in corporate Supplier
Diversity Programs and Government Contracting
g. Highlights corporate member and DOBE® success stories
10. USBLN® promotes inclusion of individuals with disabilities in the workforce and marketplace by
advocating with companies—large and small; government agencies-national, state and local;
educational institutions; non-profit organizations and others 2013 Strategic Alliances include:
a. DiversityInc
b. Campaign for Disability Employment (CDE)
c. Job Accommodation Network (JAN)
d. Career Opportunities for Students with Disabilities (COSD)
e. Institute for Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University (VMF)
f. Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation/National Employment Team (NET)
g. US Department of Labor Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP)
h. Cornell University’s Employment and Disability Institute/EARN
i. Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC)
j. National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC)
k. National Industry Liaison Group (NILG) (signed at 2013 National Conference)
l. American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD)
Value to Business Leadership Network (BLN) Affiliates:
11. USBLN supports and recognizes Business Leadership Network (BLN) Affiliates in their establishment,
growth, operations and alignment with USBLN® goals, facilitating connections between member
companies and all associates
a. Being a recognized USBLN® Affiliate makes a BLN more creditable and sends a message to business
as to the quality of services that they can expect
b. A newly developed Affiliates Members Only section in the USBLN® website has been developed and
will launch at the 2013 conference.
i. Relevant, new information will be added regularly
ii. A Tool Kit for new BLNs is under development
c. Eight training calls are held for BLN Affiliate Members to help support their efforts locally with their
business members
d. The Affiliate Leadership Summit is held annually at the USBLN® Conference, which includes a day of
exclusive programing
e. Recognition is given for BLN Affiliate’s outstanding work:
i. Affiliate of the Month Award
ii. Affiliate of the Year Award (given at National Conference)
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© 2013-2014 US Business Leadership Network. All rights reserved.
Other Value USBLN® Brings:
12. USBLN® International’s work includes:
a. Arranged site visits and hosted briefings for a delegation through the International Labour
Organization (ILO) from South America
b. USBLN® Executive Director presented a conference held in Chile
c. Collaborated with Perspektiva, a Moscow based NGO, to implement a grant they received to
present webinars, host business representatives from the US to a conference hosted by
Perspektiva in Moscow
d. Hosting a delegation from Finland plus attendees from the Netherlands, Chile and Canada at the
2013 USBLN® Annual Conference and Expo
e. Collaborating with globally based corporate partners to support the ratification of the Convention
on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in the 113th Congress
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© 2013-2014 US Business Leadership Network. All rights reserved.