Engaging Untapped Talent: The Power of Disability Inclusion

October 6, 2026 10:00 am – 11:00 am Virtual

Overview

Gain practical strategies to recruit, hire, and train individuals with disabilities through apprenticeships and early‑talent pathways.

Understand the business impact of disability‑inclusive hiring on talent pools, retention, diversity, and workplace culture.

Access ready‑to‑use resources that help you build more inclusive recruitment, onboarding, and training programs.

Tickets

Free & Open to the Public
(Advance registration is required)

Strengthening the Workforce Through Inclusive Hiring

Employers across industries are facing persistent talent shortages and increasing competition for skilled workers. At the same time, millions of talented individuals with disabilities remain an underutilized source of workforce talent.

In recognition of Disability Employment Awareness Month, this virtual event will explore how employers can strengthen their talent pipelines by intentionally recruiting, hiring, and training individuals with disabilities through apprenticeships and other early talent pathways. Designed for employers, training providers, workforce development professionals, educators, and community partners, this session will highlight practical strategies for creating more inclusive talent development programs that benefit both businesses and job seekers.

Participants will learn how disability-inclusive hiring practices can:

Help organizations expand their talent pool
Improve workforce diversity
Increase employee retention
And build stronger workplace cultures

ABOUT THE APPRENTICE NETWORK

The Massachusetts Apprentice Network helps employers develop and implement apprenticeship programs that create new pipelines for skilled talent. Expanding beyond traditional trades, this initiative connects businesses with training providers and talent sources to build apprenticeships in tech, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, financial services, and other high-demand industries. Recognizing that there is not a one-size-fits-all solution, the Network is committed to assisting organizations to develop custom solutions that best meet their apprenticeship needs. The Massachusetts Apprentice Network will achieve collectively hiring 1,000 apprentices by 2027.

The Massachusetts Apprentice Network is an initiative of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Foundation, the Chamber’s 501(c)(3) nonprofit arm. Our work, focused on workforce and talent development, and economic inclusion, supports people and small businesses through programs that develop talent, cultivate future leaders, retain a strong workforce, and promote inclusive growth.

Make a Donation

Questions? Contact Us.

Michael Holland

Director of Workforce Development Strategy

Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce

Email Michael

Speakers

Becky Jackson Curran

Senior Director, Stakeholder Engagement, Disability:IN

Becky Jackson Curran is the Senior Director of Stakeholder Engagement at Disability:IN, where she leads efforts to cultivate and sustain relationships with key stakeholders,…Read more

Becky Jackson Curran is the Senior Director of Stakeholder Engagement at Disability:IN, where she leads efforts to cultivate and sustain relationships with key stakeholders, including corporate partners, Disability-Owned Business Enterprises (DOBEs), and members of the disability community. She also plays a critical role in client-facing aspects of the Disability Index. Since joining the Index team in 2017, Becky has helped grow participation from 110 to 542 companies by 2024, quintupling engagement and significantly expanding Disability:IN’s impact.

Becky earned her Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Providence College, where she first developed a passion for influencing change behind the scenes in media and entertainment. After graduation, she navigated a competitive job market, submitting over 1,000 applications, participating in 100 interviews, and completing three temp assignments, before landing a full-time position in the Entertainment Marketing and later the Comedy Touring departments at Creative Artists Agency (CAA), the world’s leading entertainment and sports agency. She later joined CBS Television Studios, supporting casting for pilots and series. During her time in the entertainment industry, Becky also co-founded the Catalina Film Festival, serving as its Marketing Director, and founded DisABILITY In Media, a platform that promotes positive disability inclusion storytelling across social media.

After six and a half years in entertainment, Becky launched a successful public speaking career. She has spoken at over 600 venues worldwide, passionately advocating for disability inclusion across education, media, and the workplace. She later joined the Equity & Inclusion department at SAG-AFTRA, the world’s largest entertainment union, where she spent three and a half years supporting the implementation of a national diversity strategy to improve representation of historically excluded communities in media. In addition to her professional work, Becky is an active community leader. She currently sits on the Board of Advisors for the National Center on Disability and Journalism (NCDJ) at Arizona State University, Positive Exposure, the Providence College National Alumni Association Council, and Understanding Our Differences.

A tireless champion for inclusion who identifies as having both physical and mental health disabilities, Becky Curran continues to drive systemic change across industries, empowering people with disabilities and elevating diverse voices on a global scale.

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Rick Laferriere

Lead Director, Workforce Initiatives, CVS Health

Rick Laferriere is Lead Director of Workforce Initiatives at CVS Health, where he spearheads strategic workforce development efforts that strengthen talent pipelines,…Read more

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Jamell G. Mitchell

Associated Director, EY

Jamell is responsible for establishing and leveraging relationships that unlock the value that exists within talent in various organizations. He oversees the strategic…Read more

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Michael Tamasi

President & CEO, AccuRounds

Michael, a second-generation owner, is deeply committed to enterprise excellence, driven by a culture rooted in core values and continuous improvement. He spearheaded…Read more

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Get Involved

EXPLORE OUR INITIATIVES:

Become a Member

About Us

Get to Know the Chamber

Member Benefits

Grow Your Business

Membership Directory

Not sure if you’re a member?

Events & Networking

WHAT’S NEXT

Upcoming Events

Engage & Learn

FEATURED EVENT

Series

2026 Government Affairs Forum | Mayor Michelle Wu

EXPLORE OUR PROGRAMMING:

Member Engagement

Series

Maximize Your Membership | September 2026

Membership Directory

Discover fellow Chamber members.

Upcoming Events

Stay Involved

Talent & Workforce

Young Bostonians Collective

Women’s Leadership Program

Massachusetts Apprentice Network

Boston’s Future Leaders

Partnership with Boston Public Schools

Policy & Impact

GET INVOLVED IN OUR POLICY FOCUS AREAS

Business Climate

Climate & Energy

Health Care

Housing & Development

Talent

Transportation

Foundation

Our Mission