July 26, 2022 marks the 32nd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The law “affirms and protects the fundamental rights of people with disabilities—the right to equal opportunity, economic self-sufficiency, independent living, and equitable participation in every aspect of American life.”
As a company dedicated to improving the health and safety of all Americans, we understand the circumstances that create barriers to opportunity and quality of life for many people, including persons with disabilities.
Reflecting on the ADA’s anniversary, we’re both humbled and proud to help break down barriers for constituents and create an environment that provides meaningful work for all.
Meaningful work is foundational to long-term personal health, welfare, security, and fulfillment, yet access to employment remains a challenge for individuals with disabilities. Our wholly-owned subsidiary, J.Lodge, is dedicated to changing that. Most of J. Lodge’s employees are Veterans and U.S. workers with disabilities who have extensive business experience and high levels of education. J.Lodge employees have flexible schedules, work from home, and are provided assistive technology to offer every opportunity for success and long-term career advancement.
Our perspective on access to meaningful employment also drives the work we do for our customers, such as our support of the Social Security Administration’s Ticket to Work program. We’re proud to provide customer experience and program management support to connect employment agencies, beneficiaries, and the SSA to each other—closing the gap on access to meaningful work for persons with disabilities.
Despite the workplace accommodations that are required by the ADA, individuals with disabilities may experience other barriers in the work environment, including through organizational culture.
At Cognosante, we’ve found that a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work culture drives innovation, productivity, results, and customer satisfaction. For employees with disabilities, inclusion goes beyond the workplace accommodations guaranteed by the ADA. It extends to the accessibility of our workplace communications, the flexibility of our work schedules, and the actions that our leaders. “Let’s create real jobs for people with disabilities, so they can contribute and realize financial independence and the dignity of purpose in life,” says Michele Yang, CEO and Founder of Cognosante.
In a recent employee survey, the overwhelming majority of our employees with disabilities who completed the survey responded, “they are made to feel welcome when they join” and say they are “treated as a full member of the organization regardless of position.”
Through the ADA, our nation has made significant progress to achieving the goal of a more equitable nation. And, we’re proud to be a part of that journey toward equity. Let’s work together – in our workplaces and in our communities – to tear down the barriers that remain so that we may all participate fully in all aspects of American life.
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Learn how persons with disabilities, Veterans, under-resourced families, and other Americans facing barriers can now access government services due to technology innovations.
Game-changing. Relentless. Passionate. Cognosante produces powerful results for our customers and the communities they serve.