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.
2022 Accomplishments
Completed and closed out work with the Hearing Resources / Accessible Meetings Initiative.
Shepherded the Lab community, Lab IT and Lab Communications and Operations to host inclusive meetings.
Updated website with many new tools and suggested ways to hold inclusive meetings.
Initiated a new Digital Access Committee who will focus on the new frontier for the Lab to champion accessibility practices in digital spaces, particularly webpages, events, and publications, around Berkeley Lab.
Organized a successful and engaging recognition of National Disability Employment Awareness Month.
Launched a new website designed by Aliyah Kovner with an updated logo. The new website has accessibility as top of mind and a top priority and is easy to navigate.
Brought in new Digital Accessibility Committee co-chair Jeremy Snyder.
Worked to engage with other ERGs, most notably in a successful PTSD forum with the Veterans ERG (VERG).
Hosted the Argonne ERG at an All Access Meeting.
Hosted “The Conversation On Burnout: Dos And Don’ts For Supervisors” event.
Hosted bi-weekly "Wellness in the New Normal" facilitated discussions to share tips and tricks for dealing with the new stressors of life post-pandemic and/or returning to the worksite.
Activities
Guest speakers
Movies
Hearing-aid battery initiative
Member Highlight
Three Questions For Kelsey Miller
Kelsey Miller started at the Lab in June 2021 and today is the program administrator for the Human and Animal Regulatory Committee (HARC) office. As part of HARC, she manages the 11-member Human Subjects Committee, which reviews all research involving human subjects or human tissue. Read the Q&A
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
Digital Accessibility Committee - Jeremy Snyder & 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