Booz Allen Hamilton Celebrates National Disability Employment Awareness Month

By Guest Blogger Courtney Suss, Employee Referral Program, Booz Allen Hamilton

Booz Allen Hamilton (BAH) is a place where diversity is truly a core value. As a leading strategy and technology consulting firm, BAH is celebrating National Disability Employment Awareness Month with a series of events sponsored by our diverseABILITY Forum, which engages, educates and advocates for employees with disabilities.

The purpose of the diverseABILITY Forum is to increase awareness and understanding of disability-related issues and the contributions made by people with disabilities at our firm. While the forum proudly sponsored Disability Mentoring Day (DMD) in McLean, Virginia and San Diego, California with an interactive panel of employees with disabilities, the forum’s true purpose is to advocate for a cooperative, accessible and supportive environment at BAH year-round.

For staff with disabilities, events like these are great opportunities to learn more about what BAH offers, how and when to request accommodations, how much to disclose and why it is important to ask for accommodations when a disability is not visible. For staff members without disabilities, it is an opportunity to support our coworkers and gain insight into the accommodations process, find solutions to help eliminate barriers and reinforce our belief that a diversity of abilities and backgrounds contributes to more innovative ideas, which in turn drives better results for clients. BAH hires staff with great minds and a passion for making a difference in our firm. Employees with disabilities are critical contributors to this effort and our success.

BAH was also proud to invite a capacity crowd of students, recent graduates, Veterans and other professionals with disabilities to participate in DMD at our headquarters. Featuring a program of executive speakers, panels, workshops and opportunities for attendees to interact with employees, the purpose of the event was to highlight career opportunities at Booz Allen and ways in which talented professionals can find an unmatched opportunity to become their absolute best – to do important work, with exceptional colleagues, in a firm dedicated to the spirit of service.

"Disability Mentoring Day is yet another way that Booz Allen attracts top-talent to enhance competitive advantage for our clients. Such mentoring opportunities highlight the dedication and efforts of our of colleagues, while allowing us to engage the diverse skills, talents, ideas and life experiences of people – including those with disabilities – that contribute to our success as a firm,” said BAH Senior Vice President Gary Labovich.

To learn more about Disability Mentoring Day 2011 at Booz Allen, please contact Courtney Suss at suss_courtney@ne.bah.com. To learn more about the diverseABILITY Forum and ongoing efforts, please email Anne Rader atrader_anne@bah.com and Ted Phillips at phillips_ted@bah.com.