Diverseability and Veterans Group Initiatives

ALL IN

Moving the Needle on Disability Inclusion in the Workplace

You might find it surprising that about 15 percent of the world’s population, or more than 1 billion people, have a disability. If you didn’t know that, here’s probably the reason why: 70 percent of them have a disability that is unseen.

Those numbers were provided by Jill Houghton, president and CEO of Disability:IN and the featured speaker at a July 2021 webinar titled “DiverseAbility:

The Importance of Disability Workforce

Jill Houghton Inclusion and Development.” The event was sponsored by Holland & Knight’s DiverseAbility Affinity Group and hosted by its co-chairs: Partner Dan Sylvester (CHI), Staff Attorney Michelle DeVos (MIA) and Practice Development Manager John Eix (DAL).

Ms. Houghton’s nonprofit organization works with companies – more than 270 leading brands to date – to build an inclusive global economy where people with disabilities can participate fully and meaningfully in the workforce. These goals mesh with the DiverseAbility Affinity Group’s mission to attract, support and promote Holland & Knight attorneys and staff affected by all types of physical and mental disabilities and help maintain an inclusive, challenging and supportive environment where employees can maximize their personal and career success. This support also extends to employees who take care of disabled family members at home. The main question that Houghton poses to employers: “Are you IN?”

“We rebranded a couple of years ago because we believe a disability is a strength. It’s part of the human experience – a natural one,” said Ms. Houghton, who herself is learningdisabled. “If we don’t have a disability today, over time we’re likely to encounter one.”

Asked what change she is working to drive across various industries, including the legal profession, Ms. Houghton said that those with disabilities historically have been unemployed and underemployed and have found it difficult to engage in the economic mainstream.

“We recently celebrated the 31st anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. In that time, we’ve gained so much ground. Yet, the one area where we’ve struggled is employment,” she said. “Your firm and your lawyers really have the power to move the needle on these issues. You’re engaging with countless companies on this journey.”

By Any Measure

What gets measured, gets managed, which is why Houghton’s company teamed with the American Association of People with Disabilities to develop the Disability Equality Index. It gauges where a company stands with regard to not only hiring people with disabilities, but meeting their individual needs in the workplace by examining six key areas: leadership and culture, enterprisewide access, employment practices, community engagement, supplier diversity and non-U.S. operations. The survey is quite thorough, requiring about 40 hours to complete. The firm will complete the Disability Equality Index survey for the first time this year.

“If you score 80 to 100, we celebrate you as a best place to work for disability inclusion. If you score under 80, no one will ever know you took the survey. That’s by design. It’s a carrot, not a stick,” Ms. Houghton said. “We’re here to incentivize and help companies identify measurable actions that can be taken.”

As for what Holland and Knight can do to continue growing in the disability-inclusive sphere, Ms. Houghton said leadership sets the tone. She said 96 percent of companies that have strong programs have an executive sponsor.

“When leaders openly own it, it matters in your company. Be a good listener and acknowledge what your colleagues are saying. Be an inclusive leader. Make sure people’s needs are being met, and avoid comparing people’s experiences,” she said. “Everybody can be an ally. We need to create a culture where the needs of employees are met.”

HOLLAND & KNIGHT AND BEST BUDDIES: OPENING DOORS TO THOSE WITH IDD

Holland & Knight highlighted National Disability Employment Awareness Month and the firm’s nearly 30 years of work with Best Buddies in an Oct. 20 webinar that showed how the long relationship has produced positive results. Based in Miami, Best Buddies works to create opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development and inclusive living for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

Partner Bob Friedman (MIA) shared how he began providing pro bono legal services for Best Buddies in 1992 and has been on the organization’s board since 1995. He said the firm’s strong commitment is reflected in the fact that at one time, Holland & Knight employed as many as 14 individuals from Best Buddies, including in the Bogotá and Mexico City offices.

Perhaps the best testament to that commitment came from some of those employees, such as Guest Services Specialist Barbie Torres (MIA), who has been with Holland & Knight for 26 years and been recognized by Best Buddies as an employee of the year.

“I help with restocking office supplies and making sure the office looks beautiful,” Barbie said. “My favorite part of the job is getting Cuban coffee for all the lawyers around the office. I have met some of my best friends at my job, and I am so grateful to be in the Holland & Knight family.”

Office Services Specialist Otis Brown (CHI), who has been with the firm since 2014, said that time on the job has made him more comfortable with his responsibilities.

“Becoming more independent in my job made me feel more confident. I love my job,” said Otis, who is completing a degree in sports management. “Holland & Knight has been supportive of my personal and professional growth.”

Office Services Specialist Joshua Felder (TPA) began with Holland & Knight in June 2021. His work includes maintaining supplies, scanning and copying documents, preparing conference rooms for meetings and restocking the kitchen.

“My job requires a lot of multitasking, but I keep a positive attitude throughout the process,” Joshua said. “I have the ability to work independently with little or no supervision. I really enjoy going to work and look forward to growing and progressing with Holland & Knight.”

These examples also show how the two organizations help those with IDD beat long odds, with unemployment in that demographic at about 84 percent, according to David Quilleon, Best Buddies senior vice president for global mission, state development and operations.

“Holland & Knight has been part of changing the game for what’s possible for people with IDD and made a significant commitment to diversifying its workforce,” Mr. Quilleon said.

CARE FOR CAREGIVERS

The effort that goes into caring for loved ones who cannot meet all their own needs was highlighted in a Holland & Knight webinar during National Family Caregivers Month in November. Emphasis was placed on how many caregivers experience conflicting responsibilities between work and caring for loved ones, reflecting the month’s #CaregiverAnd theme.

Partner and Veterans Group Business Partnership Chair Dan Sylvester (CHI) and Practice Development Manager John Eix (DAL) – both of whom provide care for loved ones and serve as co-chairs of the DiverseAbility Affinity Group – welcomed Katherine Miller from the Veterans Administration Caregiver Support Program. Ms. Miller said that caring for an injured veteran or another is an act of love, but it can come with costs. For example, 40 percent to 70 percent of caregivers have symptoms of depression, and 72 percent don’t see their doctors as they should.

However, there are resources offering help, including the VA Caregiver Support Program and Caregiver Action Network. “We encourage caregivers to manage their own health and stress,” Ms. Miller said. “In managing stress, you have to set boundaries, which can be difficult to balance with family, friends and even the one you’re caring for.”

FIRM SALUTES THOSE WHO HAVE SERVED WITH VETERANS DAY VIDEO

More than 80 Holland & Knight lawyers and staff who are military veterans were saluted in a Veterans Day video shared on Nov. 11. The tribute focused on doing good work through raising awareness and providing pro bono and community service for veterans and their families.

The firm believes that veterans should be supported and celebrated every day, a sentiment echoed by Chesterfield Smith, a founding partner of Holland & Knight and a veteran, who encouraged everyone at the firm to “Be Somebody” and to “Do Good.” The Veterans Group works to support service members, veterans and their families through legal, pro bono and community service activities. From 2016 to 2020, Holland & Knight provided nearly 25,000 pro bono hours toward veteran/military-related matters. Learn more about the Veterans Group initiative and its services, community outreach and partner organizations, as well as the firm’s pro bono and community services.

If you are not a service member and wish to join the Veterans Group, email Associate Nick Hasenfus (BOS). If you are a service member or veteran and would like to receive more information on the Veterans Group, please submit your

information.