World Institute on Disability

Community inclusion wid engaged with nine states regarding developing Disability benefits 101 (db101) sites resulting in three contracts. Two other contracts are anticipated. Two db101 sites were redesigned so that all db101 sites have a consistent look and mobile responsiveness. Funding was secured for all benefits 101 sites. The supporting disability-owned businesses (sdob) project was established with a focus on Disability entrepreneurship, producing a white paper from the information gathered through focus groups and meetings with disabled business owners. An extension of the project shifted focus, as per the grantor's request, to the gaps and needs of financial institutions. Research and vetting process was completed on financial literacy in Ohio to implement a new db101 offering incorporating financial education aligned with the work innovation opportunity act.

Accessibility solutions: wid successfully oversaw 17 projects spanning diverse scopes and sizes, aligning with the accessibility objectives of their clients. These initiatives encompassed ux testing dedicated to both physical and digital accessibility, as well as focus groups and surveys gathering insights from Disability communities on products, services, and concepts. Additionally, the team provided support in enhancing the accessibility of conferences and events, conducted organizational gap analyses on Disability inclusion, facilitated training sessions on bias, assistive technology, and Disability inclusion strategies, and conducted vpat reviews along with offering recommendations.

Disaster resilience wids work in emergency preparedness, disaster risk reduction and climate resilience includes leadership in national and international projects and programs addressing inclusive whole community preparedness, creating national toolkits, workbooks and resources in concert with federal agencies, initiating policy considerations in support of Disability inclusive health equity throughout the disaster lifecycle, and conducting Disability inclusive research. Disability leadership in all phases of the disaster were promulgated and promoted as a critical component to addressing the disproportionate impact of disasters on people with disabilities. Training and technical assistance was provided in person and virtually to small and large groups consisting of global public, private, and stakeholder participants. Through a virtual emergency operations center, wid led response activations providing support valuing approximately half a million dollars to 16 disability-led organizations who were responding to disasters in 10 countries.

Fiscal sponsorship and other project support.