Learn with Us
Spotlighting Accessibility in Action: Programs Across the Federal Government
In 2021, President Biden issued Executive Order (EO) 14035 on “Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) in the Federal Workforce.” The EO aims to both strengthen the government’s ability to recruit, hire, develop, promote, and retain talent, as well as provide resources and opportunities to advance DEIA across the federal government. One of the first…
Spotlighting Accessibility in Action: Building an Inclusive Workforce
This October is the 74th anniversary of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, which celebrates the many contributions of workers with disabilities to America’s workplaces and economy. While this takes place annually, its purpose is to reinforce a commitment to ensuring workers with disabilities have access to great jobs all year round. This blog will highlight…
Making Accessibility a Priority: Understanding Section 508, FMP’s Accessibility Evolution, and Must-Have Checklists for Accessible Documents
What Is Section 508 and Why Is It Important? As of July 2024, the CDC estimates that more than 28% of adults in the United States have some type of disability. The United States Federal Government has passed several laws relating to disability policy, including the Americans with Disabilities Act and Sections 501, 503, 504,…
Selecting for the Stars: Improving Accessibility in our Selection System
The interview process can be incredibly difficult and overwhelming. This is especially true for neurodivergent individuals and individuals with disabilities who may face additional barriers and challenges in the conventional interview format. According to some estimates, 30-40% of neurodivergent adults are unemployed or underemployed9. Neurodivergent candidates may struggle with understanding social cues, interpreting nonverbal communication,…
Spotlighting Accessibility in Action: Inclusive Design in Tech
What do Microsoft, Sony, and Apple have in common? Yes, they are all big tech companies listed on the S&P 500, but in the context of this blog, the common factor is they are leaders in applying inclusive design methods to develop products that are widely accessible. In celebration of Global Accessibility Awareness Day, we’re…
Neurodiversity and Why We Embrace It: A Conversation with Kimberly Nuss Pt. 1
What is Neurodiversity? While this term may be new to you, neurodiversity has significantly shaped our world. Neurodiversity is a scientific concept that initially arose from brain imaging research in the 1990s. A publication from Harvard Health describes it as “the idea that people experience and interact with the world around them in many different…
Building Capacity for Accessibility
As someone who regularly creates a lot of widely distributed communications deliverables (documents, slide decks, social media campaigns, graphics, videos, you name it), I often think about 508 compliance. Years ago, when I got started creating communications collateral, I remember looking for a one and done training that would teach me everything that I needed…
Continued Challenges of Asian Americans in the Workplace
As we close out Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we want to highlight the Asian American experience and continued challenges faced in the workplace. The term “Asian American” encompasses many different identities and experiences. All individuals have unique life experiences, but the “Asian American” experience includes a multitude of groups. When most people picture…
Honoring Black History Month
The racial equity conversations of 2020 brought on a seismic shift in how organizations approach diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility at work. A part of this work includes celebrating and understanding the rich histories and cultures of the many races and ethnicities of this diverse country. Every year in February, we all have the opportunity…
Employee Spotlight: Lesley Perkins
Lesley Perkins joined FMP Consulting as a Managing Consultant in October 2021. Lesley has a PhD in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from University of Georgia and has extensive experience as an internal and external consultant with large companies such as IBM and Booz Allen Hamilton. In addition to being a recognized leader in diversity, equity,…