Kathleen Martinez, assistant secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy, has been added as a keynote speaker for Work Without Limits’ first annual conference on Oct. 8 in Norwood, Mass. With a focus on increasing employment among individuals with disabilities, the all-day conference will feature exhibitors and networking opportunities.
A statewide network of employers and partners, Work Without Limits is part of the Disability, Health and Employment Policy unit within the Commonwealth Medicine division of UMass Medical School.
Blind since birth, Martinez is an internationally recognized disability rights leader specializing in employment, asset building, independent living, international development, diversity and gender issues.
Keith P. Wiedenkeller, AMC Entertainment’s senior vice president and chief people officer, will also serve as a keynote speaker.
Wiedenkeller has been instrumental in developing and implementing numerous ground-breaking initiatives, including AMC’s FOCUS outreach program for employing youth with disabilities.
The conference welcomes employers, service providers, state agencies and, of course, people with disabilities and their families. Employment service providers and state agencies can find out how to build and maintain relationships with employers. People with disabilities, or their family members, can learn what employers look for in candidates and the best ways for job seekers to position themselves in today’s workplace.
Conference sponsors so far include Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Clarks, Fidelity Investments, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care and TJX Companies Inc.
