As National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) was coming to a conclusion in October, University of Pittsburgh staff who partner together on disability outreach and hiring gathered to celebrate an important achievement.

Recently, the National Organization on Disability designated Pitt as a Leading Disability Employer for 2024. This designation recognizes employers with exceptional disability inclusion practices and policies. Pitt is one of only 59 organizations nationwide to achieve this honor, and the only higher education institution making their 2024 list.

Those celebrating included staff from the Office of Human Resources (OHR) as well as staff from Disability Resources & Services (DRS) in the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (OEDI). Representing OHR were Vice Chancellor for Human Resources James Gallaher, Director of Talent Acquisition Lisa Garland and Diversity Recruiting and Transition Consultant Tom Armstrong.

“Working with our partners in the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and other stakeholders throughout Pitt, we proudly earned this distinction, and the Office of Human Resources is honored to be recognized for our efforts in disability employment,” said Vice Chancellor for Human Resources James Gallaher. “Our Talent Acquisition team deserves a special shout out for all their work in this area.”

The University's efforts in disability employment include partnering with DRS for community outreach to ensure a diverse talent pool and equitable hiring practices, providing accommodations and supportive services to employees who need them, and improving accessibility both in physical spaces and digitally. 

During the ceremony, DRS announced the winner of their first-ever ACCESS Award: Advocating Campus Change for Equitable and Supportive Solutions. Leigh Culley, director of DRS and interim assistant vice chancellor for accessibility, said the award was created to recognize employees who have shown an exceptional commitment to creating an inclusive and equitable workplace for individuals with disabilities, including veterans.

DRS disability specialist Sarah Fischer presented OHR's Armstrong with the award, saying he truly embodies the new award's spirit.

Armstrong helped create Pitt’s Career Transition Project, which actively seeks out veterans and individuals with disabilities and encourages them to seek careers within the University. He has also worked to build and strengthen connections between Pitt, United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania, Blind & Vision Rehabilitation Services of Pittsburgh, veterans’ organizations, and other agencies to develop a network of talent recruitment and acquisition.

“Tom fosters a sense of community and connection that makes people naturally drawn to him,” Fischer said. “He’s one of the first friendly faces that new employees meet during their on-boarding, and he continues to connect them with mentorship and support to navigate accessibility and inclusivity in the workplace after they’re hired.”

Armstrong said he was “humbled and honored” to be recognized, but said the work to recruit and retain employees with disabilities has been a team effort. “There is such a collaboration between multiple departments,” he said. “We’re all in this together.”

* Some content from articles written by Jason Togyer in the Office of Equity, Diversity & Inclusion was included with permission, and we are grateful for their partnership.

 

DRS disability specialist Sarah Fischer announces that Tom Armstrong is the first recipient of OEDI's ACCESS Award.	Leigh Culley of DRS (left); and Clyde Wilson Pickett (right), vice chancellor for equity, diversity, and inclusion; celebrate the first-ever ACCESS Award, presented Oct. 30 to Tom Armstrong (center) of the Office of Human Resources.
James Gallaher Jr., vice chancellor for human resources (left), and Lisa Garland, director of talent acquisition (right), celebrate awardee Tom Armstrong (center).	OHR Diversity Recruiting and Transition Consultant Tom Armstrong accepts the ACCESS Award.