Thirty years ago in Washington, D.C., a group of subject matter experts from the insurance industry gathered with trade groups and legislators to talk about a new piece of legislation called the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). I was thrilled to have the opportunity, early in my insurance career, to take part in this…
On July 26, 1990, President George H. W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act into law. The ADA had unanticipated impact on employers and their accommodations of employees who became injured or ill during their employment. I was very early in my career when President George H. W. Bush signed the Americans with…
Are you outfitting a home for a child with a disability? The U.S. Census Bureau reports that around 12 percent of the population is disabled, and the PEW Research Center puts that number even higher. That means while only 5.4 percent of children five to seven years old are disabled, they still comprise a pretty large part…
As gyms and fitness centers reopen nationwide after quarantine, it’s important for those of us who miss our workouts to understand the risks before rejoining. I returned to my local gym recently and found some welcome new safeguards, but also some surprising lapses that medical experts say should be in place. The big…
By Cheryl Jones, Director of Mindfulness at Aetna As if the intensity of dealing with the coronavirus pandemic with its health and economic implications wasn’t enough, we now find ourselves in the midst of rising racial and political tensions. It feels as though our sanity and our humanity are at risk. I believe mindfulness (awareness that…
As states begin to re-open post-COVID, we are all eager for a celebration. However, with large group gatherings still mostly off-limits, it might be a “make your own fun” type holiday. And that not only will keep you safe and healthy but is also bound to save you money, compared with planning an elaborate trip…
Back in February 2020, few Americans understood the impact the novel coronavirus and COVID-19 would have on our business and personal lives. When the March stay-at-home orders first went into place, we pictured a return to life as we knew it within six to eight weeks. Yet, here we are, three months later, and we’re…
The pandemic hasn’t stopped summer from arriving! As vacation season kicks off, it is a good time for HR teams to encourage the value of taking a break. As we all know, vacations are important for emotional and physical health of employees. In fact, studies show that they build a far more engaged, happy, and…
Raising chickens has almost an infinite number of benefits. These benefits range from simple companionship to self-sufficient food production. Raising and keeping chickens even has several health benefits that can positively impact those with mental or physical disabilities. In fact, several universities such as the University of Minnesota are utilizing therapy chickens during exam…
By Gene Lanzoni Assistant Vice President Group & Worksite Marketing – Thought Leadership Guardian Life Insurance Company of America Making workplaces accessible to employees with disabilities goes well beyond physical modifications to the workspace. Employers should also actively seek to make jobs overall more flexible to meet the demands of a diverse workforce. In…
