The National Fragile X Foundation Joins Forces with the New CEO Commission on Disability Employment

By Linda Sorensen

I am excited to announce that the National Fragile X Foundation joined forces with the new CEO Commission on Disability Employment↗ so we can work together to eliminate barriers to employment for all individuals with a disability.

The Commission’s mission is to raise awareness of the untapped potential of people living with disabilities. They are committed to taking the lead in expanding equal employment rights for people with disabilities by:

• Eliminating the barriers to equal employment via advocacy, awareness, and recruitment of like-minded companies and organizations
• Collaborating to address disability unemployment and underemployment
• Establishing and sharing best practices in integration of diverse hiring
• Identifying new partnerships to source candidates
• Developing innovative problem-solving strategies that meet the demands of the 21st-century economy

We find success with partnerships because each group brings strengths that make the effort stronger, and that is true here. Each member of the Commission adds their own unique value and increases the reach.

The Commission was formed in late 2020 by the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM), the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS), and Voya Financial, and has expanded to more than a dozen partners, including, now, the NFXF. The Society of Human Resource Management brings thought leadership on human resources and a connection to nearly every human resource professional. The National Down Syndrome Society has a track record of policy success, including as one of our key partners in passing the ABLE Act. And Voya Financial connects us with the business community — the ones providing the jobs. And, of course, the NFXF brings the world’s most effective advocates.

I am optimistic about the possibilities this creates, not only for our self-advocates, but for everyone. For individuals who desire to work, but don’t have opportunities that fit them. For their future coworkers, who will be better off knowing and working with them. And for their employers, who will see, first-hand, the value they bring. We will be sharing more as our work continues.

In the meantime, if you have a potential partner for the Commission (your employer, another patient advocacy group, etc.) or want to share the impact of work for you and your loved one with Fragile X, just contact me here.