Breaking Barriers: Advancing Disability Inclusion in the Workplace
2025-10-09 17:30 - 19:30 (America/Halifax) | Columbus College of Art & Design, Design Studios Building, 60 Cleveland Ave, Columbus, OH, 43215, United States
In recognition of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), the Central Ohio Belonging Consortium invites you to a transformative discussion on inclusive hiring, equitable employment practices, and the power of disability inclusion in the workforce.
Discover the Power of Inclusive Hiring
Join us for a dynamic and inspiring event that explores how disability inclusion can transform workplaces and unlock untapped potential. This isn’t just a panel—it’s a movement toward equity, belonging, and innovation.
Why You Should Attend
People with disabilities bring unique perspectives, skills, and resilience to the workforce. Yet, systemic barriers continue to limit access to meaningful employment. This event will spotlight real-world strategies and lived experiences that challenge the status quo and offer a roadmap to inclusive success.
What to Expect

Engaging Panel Discussion featuring professionals with lived experience and expertise in inclusive hiring and accessibility.
Actionable Insights on how to rethink recruiting, enhance workplace accessibility, and foster a culture of belonging.
Networking Opportunities with advocates, HR leaders, hiring managers, and changemakers committed to building inclusive workplaces.

Whether you’re a business leader, HR professional, or passionate advocate, you’ll leave with practical tools and renewed inspiration to make a difference.
Confirmed Panelists:

TyKiah Wright-Wilson MBA, CDP- CEO/Chief Mentor for WrightChoiceMentoring– Moderator
Margaret D. Finley-President for Central Ohio Belonging Consortium– Panelist
Julie Lasher-Business Relations Specialist for Southeast Ohio for Division of Employer and Innovation Services at Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD)– Panelist

Let’s Move from Awareness to Action
This event is more than a conversation—it’s a call to reimagine what’s possible. Together, we can break down barriers, challenge biases, and build workplaces where all talent is seen, valued, and empowered to thrive.

Venue Details
Columbus College of Art & Design (CCAD) in the Joseph V. Canzani (JVC) building,located at 60 Cleveland Ave. Columbus, Ohio 43215 (Corner of E. Gay Street). The event will be held on the 2nd floor in the Multi-Purpose Room directly across from exiting the elevator. Free parking will be available in the lot located adjacent to the main entrance with wheelchair ramp accessibility.
https://centralohiodiversity.networkforgood.com/events/88581-breaking-barriers-advancing-disability-inclusion-in-the-workplace

Beyond the Algorithm: Reclaiming Humanity in the Workplace
2026-03-24 17:30 - 19:30 | REVEL IT, 4900 Blazer Parkway, Dublin, OH, 43017, United States
As technology reshapes the workplace, the organizations that succeed will double down on what makes us human: empathy, connection, and inclusive leadership. Join us for an engaging panel discussion with local cross-industry leaders focused on designing human-centered workplaces that thrive through change.
You’ll learn to:

Explore human-centered design trends and workforce transformation.
Understand how belonging fuels innovation, retention, and trust.
Apply inclusive leadership behaviors that future-proof your culture.

Central Ohio Belonging Consortium's 20th Anniversary Gala
2026-12-12 18:00 - 22:00 | The Athletic Club of Columbus, 136 E Broad St., Columbus, OH, 43215, United States
Join us as COBC celebrates 20 years of advancing belonging and inclusion.
We are honored to welcome Sophia Fifner as the Keynote Speaker. Sophia Fifner is a nationally recognized keynote speaker, civic leader, and creator of The Neighboring Gap™—a movement dedicated to transforming loneliness into belonging and helping people build deeper, more authentic connections. Through powerful storytelling grounded in research, Sophia challenges organizations and communities to rethink how they show up for one another. Her work inspires individuals to move beyond the mindset of “I’ve got it” to embrace the transformative power of “We’ve got you.”
As the creator of The Neighboring Gap™, Sophia equips leaders and teams with practical strategies to foster cultures where people feel seen, supported, and connected. Her presentations leave audiences feeling inspired, more honest with themselves and others, and ready to create spaces where belonging thrives. Her thought leadership has been featured in prominent media outlets including TIME, Forbes, TODAY, Nasdaq, Parents Magazine, Reader’s Digest, Teen Vogue, The Columbus Dispatch, and Columbus Monthly.
Join us for a night that not only celebrates our past but ignites the future we’re building together—one where belonging is the standard, not the exception.

Tickets
