All access ERG
Mission
The Berkeley Lab Disability Inclusion ERG, All Access, advocates for a more accessible laboratory in design, in spirit and in operation. We work to create a welcoming and supportive environment for all employees and visitors and to serve as an information source for applicants, recruiters, managers and staff who have questions about disabilities, support and accommodations.
In this way, we seek to increase understanding and appreciation for individuals with disabilities, whether visible or not. We see ourselves as part of a larger effort to build a more inclusive and respectful community, knowing that when improvements are made to help one group, everyone benefits.
We will do this through such actions as:
Advocating at all levels for greater accessibility and identifying opportunities for improvement
Learning about and implementing best practices
Reaching out and collaborating with other lab groups, organizations and the broader community to leverage our resources
Communicating with the lab to raise the collective awareness about inclusion
Striving to become a leader for disability inclusion in the DOE and national lab community
Website
ADA 30th Anniversary Week of Action - 2020
This month—July 26, to be exact—marks the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the landmark civil rights legislation that works to increase access and opportunity for people with disabilities across community life, including employment. The All Access Employee Resource Group has planned a Week of Action to raise awareness about disability inclusion and equality.
2020 Accomplishments
Created the Mental Health Initiative and the "Wellness in the New Normal," peer-to-peer support group meeting.
Held the ADA 30th Anniversary: Week of Action with 5 days of activities led by volunteer members.
Hosted the "A Scientist's Primer on Mental Health" town hall.
Developed the "Best Practices for Zoom/Remote Meetings" and the "Making Meetings More Inclusive and Better for Everyone."
Attendance at the Annual Disability:IN Network Conference.
Expanded leadership team to include Initiative Co-chairs, Communications Officer, and Financial Officer.
Increase in All Access ERG membership from 105 in FY19 to 137 in FY20.
Co-hosted virtual film screening & discussion of "People Like Me" with the Lambda Alliance ERG.
Activities
Guest speakers
Movies
Hearing-aid battery initiative
Member Highlight
Misha Gonzalez
Misha Gonzalez, a former Lab-employee who served as an architect in Facilities, was recently presented with the Kevin McCauley Memorial Outstanding Staff Award from UC President Janet Napolitano. In our Three Questions For series, we asked Gonzalez, a specialist in access, about what she is doing to improve accessibility at the Lab. More>>
Erin Scharfstein announced as new Co-Chair
Erin Scharfstein joins Emalynn Manito as Co-Chair of the All Access ERG. Read more about Erin Scharfstein here.
Steering Committee
Co-Chair: Emalynn Manito, Senior HR Analytics Consultant - ERobinson@lbl.gov
Co-Chair: Erin Scharfstein, Administrator, IT - Erin@lbl.gov
Communications - Aliyah Kovner, Science Communications & Media Relations Specialist - akovner@lbl.gov
Finances - Jenny Brown, IT Help Desk Work Lead - jbrown@lbl.gov
Initiatives
Mental Health Initiative - Jean Sexton & Tom Gallant, Co-Chairs
Hearing Resources & Accessible Meetings - Phil Novak & Karyn Houston, Co-Chairs
Executive Sponsors
Jenn Tang, Director of Community Relations
Contact Information
Erin Scharfstein, IT - Erin@lbl.gov
Emalynn Robinson, Senior HR Analytics Consultant - ERobinson@lbl.gov