The City of Ithaca is continuing its efforts to strengthen equity and inclusion in the workplace, recently hosting a disability awareness training for employees led by John Robinson, president and CEO of Our Ability.
The session, organized by the City’s Workforce Diversity Advisory Committee (WDAC), gave staff practical tools and firsthand perspectives on accessibility, inclusive language, and strategies to better support employees and residents with disabilities. Robinson, who focuses on connecting people with disabilities to employment through emerging technologies, emphasized the importance of sharing success stories and keeping conversations about inclusion active.
“It is so important to share stories of success and growth within the disability world,” Robinson said. “Ithaca has a great history of inclusion, and it is noted that they are welcoming to our community.”
City Human Resources Specialist Madlyn Allen said the goal of the training was to deepen staff understanding of disability inclusion both on the job and in the broader community.
“The session offered meaningful learning opportunities and served as a call to action,” Allen said. “It encouraged participants to help strengthen Ithaca’s disability awareness and advocacy efforts moving forward.”
WDAC Chair and City Forester Jeanne Grace said employees from a wide range of departments attended and took part in thoughtful discussions.
“My hope is that this seminar series will provide new perspectives, promote a welcoming and inclusive work culture, and create opportunities for staff to connect in meaningful ways,” Grace said.
The disability awareness session marks the first in a new series of quarterly, city-sponsored trainings focused on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. The WDAC advises the city on initiatives aimed at building a workplace culture rooted in fairness and accessibility, reflecting a renewed commitment to those priorities in the years ahead.
