Welcome to SMG eNEWS™
2011, Dec 11th

The Solutions Marketing Group’s eNews is a bi-monthly communiqué that connects business to the market of people with disabilities.

Message From The President

What Are You Waiting For?
By Booker T. Daniels, II, President

With the holiday season upon us and 2011 drawing to an end, companies have already begun looking toward the new year. For many, 2012 will be the year to deepen customer relationships, begin to identify and retain talent, and gain competitive advantage. A new year offers companies an empty canvas to paint a new vision, develop new goals and consider the strategies that will break new ground. Still, it's all too common for consumers and employees with disabilities to be overlooked in these planning discussions. The Solutions Marketing Group would like to help you change that...

[ Read the rest of Booker's message ]

Special Reminder

"Rollin' With Zach" - New series debuts Mon, Dec. 12th on the Oprah Winfrey Network

Zach Anner is obsessed with travel. In Rollin' With Zach, he takes an authentic and often humorous approach to seeing the country, as he hosts his own half-hour travel series.

Zach may have cerebral palsy, but that's never stopped him! In every episode, Zach explores a new city and conquers his "top five" list for the destination.

[ more information about this and a video trailer ]

Profiles in Excellence
Profiles in Excellence is a monthly article, published by SMG, that features companies and organizations that demonstrate leadership in accessibility, employment, customer service and marketing to the nation's 54 million Americans with Disabilities.

Wheels in Style—Adaptive clothing from Izzy Camilleri
By Joan Leotta

What can you have in common with movie glitterati Nicole Kidman, Angelina Jolie, and Meryl Streep or hunks Mark Wahlberg and David Bowie? You, too, can look great in clothes designed by Izzy Camilleri — even from a seated position. Camilleri, a Toronto-based designer, understands that everyone wants clothing that is professional, sophisticated, and sometimes sexy yet also totally wearable. In 2009, she debuted the IZ Adaptive Collection for people with disabilities featuring a multitude of fashionable day and evening pieces. Shoppers in Toronto can browse her collection in an accessible retail space where wheelchair users can maneuver freely. The dressing room is equipped to handle chair movement, and the staff is well versed in approaching wheelchair users to discuss modifications that may be needed to fit items more specifically to individual customers....

[ more information about this ]

Accessibility
sponsored by Universal Design Newsletter

Movie Screenings To Accommodate Teens, Adults With Autism
By Michelle Diament, disabilityscoop.com

Autism-friendly movie screenings are typically designed to appeal to kids, but now one theater chain is looking to expand the concept to include films of interest to teens and adults...

[ Read the story at www.disabilityscoop.com ]

Feds Sue Law Firm For Barring Service Dog
By Shaun Heasley, disabilityscoop.com

Federal prosecutors are taking action after they say a New York law firm prohibited a client with a disability from visiting their offices with her service dog...

[ Read the story at www.disabilityscoop.com ]

Feds: People With Disabilities Face Digital Divide
By Shaun Heasley, disabilityscoop.com

Even as more Americans gain high-speed Internet access in their homes, those with disabilities continue to lag behind...

[ Read the story at www.disabilityscoop.com ]

Customer Service
sponsored by W.C. Duke Associates, Inc.

Feds Look To Make Health Care More Accessible
By Michelle Diament, disabilityscoop.com

People with disabilities have long complained of inequities at the doctor's office. Now, the federal government is taking steps toward leveling the playing field...

[ Read the story at www.disabilityscoop.com ]

Employment

Florida Honors Nine Disability-Friendly Companies
By Agency for Persons with Disabilities, State of Florida

The state of Florida recently recognized nine businesses for being exceptional employers of people with disabilities, as part of national Disability Employment Awareness Month in October. Awards were presented to honor businesses for their commitment to hiring people with disabilities...

[ Read the story at www.apdcares.org ]

Jobs Data Mixed For People With Disabilities
By Shaun Heasley, disabilityscoop.com

Unemployment among Americans with disabilities dipped to the lowest level seen in over two years in November, but the jobs picture wasn't all rosy...

[ Read the story at www.disabilityscoop.com ]

Feds Unveil Plan To Boost Disability Employment
By Michelle Diament, disabilityscoop.com

The Obama administration wants to use the power of the federal pocketbook to dramatically increase hiring of people with disabilities...

[ Read the story at www.disabilityscoop.com ]

New Partnerships

How do companies embrace diversity and inclusion? Not only do they employ people of various backgrounds, but they also communicate with consumers in a way that resonates — while still maintaining brand equity and identity.

The same is true in reaching people with disabilities, as employees and consumers.

The Solutions Marketing Group has expanded our ability to deliver value to our clients, forging connections beyond marketing to also include branding and employment opportunities. That is why we are pleased to announce two strategic partnerships: with Florville Design & Analysis and Hire Potential.

The power of these collaborations allows SMG to effectively serve clients as they reach this untapped market and pool of talent. We look forward to creating innovative solutions that welcome new customers and talent for you.

[ more information about this ]

News & Announcements

Saving For People With Disabilities May Soon Be Tax-Free
A bill that's expected to be introduced in Congress Tuesday would give families a new way to save money for people with disabilities without jeopardizing government benefits.
By Michelle Diament, Disability Scoop

Disabled TV Presence Still Lags
For the second year in a row, a study analyzing minority representation on television shows a serious lack of characters with disabilities on network TV.
By New Mobility magazine

Oprah Winner With Cerebral Palsy To Premiere New Show
A man with cerebral palsy selected earlier this year to host his own travel show on Oprah Winfrey's network will debut the new series in December.
By Michelle Diament, Disability Scoop