Depression and Your Office Environment: What You Need to Know

Depression, while often hiding in plain sight, ranks among the top three workplace problems for employee assistance professionals, resulting in 3% of total short-term disability days. For context, that’s more disability than what’s caused by heart disease, hypertension and diabetes—all in the form of an illness that isn’t nearly as visible as a broken bone.…

Pet bearded dragon on young woman's shoulder

Bearded Dragons as Emotional Support Pets

An Emotional Support Animal (ESA) is any pet that is legally certified to offer support for emotional of psychological conditions. They help people by providing support during difficult times and are mostly commonly utilized by people suffering from conditions such as anxiety or depression. Usually dogs are trained for this task. However, diversity of ESAs…

Finding an Employer That Truly Cares About Mental and Physical Health

Finding an Employer That Truly Cares About Mental and Physical Health

Everybody wants to find a workplace that values its employees and provides a healthy working environment. However, 93% of Americans suffer from work-related stress and millions more live in constant financial anxiety due to inadequate access to disability coverage. If this combination of stress and inadequate support sounds familiar, then you should know that you’re…

Open Enrollment 2022: The financial risk of Alzheimer’s disease

The Financial Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease

By Amy Fontinelle Editor’s Note: This blog post from The Council for Disability Awareness’ member company, MassMutual, defines how much of a problem Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia are becoming as people live longer; points out how significant the direct and indirect costs of caring for someone with dementia are becoming; and recommends steps for estate planning and preparation that…

Inclusion Ignites Ideas: diverse team meeting at the office

Key Considerations for Employers Looking to Close the Disability Inclusion Gap

By Anthony Favry Editor’s Note: Today, around 17% of the world’s population experience some form of disability – making individuals with disabilities the largest minority group in the world. Despite making up a large percentage of the world’s population, individuals with disabilities often lack access to employment. In fact, compared to non-disabled workers, the global…

Inclusion Ignites Ideas: Working with a disability? Steps for self-advocacy

Working with a disability? Steps for self-advocacy

By Shelly Gigante Editor’s Note: Employment is the key to financial independence for all Americans, but the obstacles are greater for those with disabilities. To set yourself up for success in the job market today, you must know your rights, advocate for inclusivity, and ask for what you need. With assistive technologies, flexible work schedules,…

Young professionals in a meeting at work

Disability Insurance Is Important No Matter Your Age —What To Consider

By John Feeney, vice president, group sales and market development for the Renaissance Life & Health Insurance Company of America.   Attention Gen Z and Millennials: disability insurance is an important coverage for you, too. Some view employer-sponsored group disability insurance as an ancillary benefit reserved for older individuals, when in fact, disability insurance should…

fingers on a braille keyboard

Prioritizing Workplace Accessibility For All Employees

Every employer knows how difficult it can be to recruit and retain top talent. For far too long, however, one important and immense sector of the workforce has been under-utilized. Millions of Americans with disabilities have been excluded from the workforce simply due to the inaccessibility of the workplace.   This constitutes not only significant…