Creative Spirit: Who We Are and What We Do Welcome to the inaugural newsletter of Creative Spirit! Since this is our first newsletter, we thought it would be a good time to offer an overview of our organizational mission and history.  Background In 1990 the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed and held the...

Creative Spirit is honored to welcome four new trustees to our board–a vast group with outstanding experience and commitment to advancing economic security, equity and inclusion for people with disabilities. The expanded board is already hard at work helping Creative Spirit take on an amazing array of new programs including advocacy, expanded consulting services, greater...

Since the founding of Creative Spirit in 2017, we’ve been working nonstop to close the unemployment gap for people who are neurodiverse. We envision a world where disability isn’t synonymous with “unemployable” and where people who are neurodivergent can feel knowledgeable, prepared, and confident entering the workforce.  Changing the employment status quo for people with...

By Menachem Rephum Creative Spirit Communications Manager Since the founding of Creative Spirit U.S. in 2017, we have been on a mission to connect people who are neurodivergent with sustainable, fair-wage employment at some of the best, most forward-thinking companies in the world. During National Disability Employment Month (NDEAM) this October, we will be taking...

Virtual Gala May 6 On May 6, Creative Spirit US will host our virtual Reimagine Gala focused on our achievements in 2020 and our goal of reimagining employment and inclusion possibilities for individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (#IDDs). The event offers a can’t-miss opportunity to learn about the strengths, talents, and capabilities of individuals...

Creative Spirit Honors the 2021 Diversity and Inclusion Leaders of the Year Join Creative Spirit’s (virtual) annual gala event on May 6, 2021. We’ll be celebrating our progress in 2020 to ensure full-time employment for individuals who are #neurodiverse. Meet our 2021 honorees: Voya Financial’s Angela D Harrell, Heather Lavallee, and Jessica Tuman, all of...

One Year Gala Anniversary: Creative Spirit US brought 400 people together to celebrate people with #disabilities and our honorees #TamiErwin EVP + CEO Verizon, and Voya #VoyaCares Program. 20 new corporate partners and thousands of #allies opened the door to #EconomicEmpowerment for people with #IDDs. Join us in re-celebrating today. We are humbled and grateful...

For #BlackHistoryMonth​, Creative Spirit is honoring Black contributions to American society and culture and striving to increase employment equality, diversity, and inclusion for people of all backgrounds living with IDDs. As part of our #WhyICare​ series, we spoke with Laura Mignott, host of the Reset podcast and CEO of the cultural communications agency DFlash. Laura...

We interviewed James Peluso MA / SPHR / SHRM-SCP, MRM’s #VP of #HumanResources and #Talent, to hear his perspective on why fighting for #disability#inclusion is essential. Download, read, and listen to any of our LinkedIn documents with communication technology (like Otter.ai or Speechify) or watch the full interview here: https://lnkd.in/eePSPvn. How do you access it?...

In 2020, Creative Spirit launched our #WhyICare initiative, speaking with our partners to hear their unique perspectives on #disabilities, #advocacy, and #employment. In December, we spoke with Angela D Harrell, Senior Vice President, Chief #Diversity & #CorporateResponsibilityOfficer, Voya Financial, and President, Voya Foundation. Angela shared her personal journey with a #disability, the way it has...