The American Association for Access, Equity, and Diversity (AAAED)
Founded in 1974 as the American Association for Affirmative Action (AAAA), AAAED has four decades of leadership in providing professional training to members, enabling them to be more successful and productive in their careers. It also promotes understanding and advocacy of affirmative action and other equal opportunity and related compliance laws to enhance the tenets of access, inclusion and equality in employment, economic and educational opportunities.
AAAED, a 501c6 membership organization, is the oldest operating association of professionals in the Equal Opportunity profession and is a leader in Equal Opportunity, affirmative action and diversity training and advocacy for professionals in higher education, private industry and government.
The Edward M. Kennedy Community Service Award
Named for the former Senator from the State of Massachusetts who was a lifetime champion of civil rights, disability rights and other issues on behalf of disadvantaged persons, the award is presented to an individual or organization demonstrating outstanding community service.
The 2020 AAAED Edward M. Kennedy Community Service Award Honoree is Disability:IN.
The Disability:IN story started with the common misperception that people with disabilities could not work. “Our roots stem from government, with ties to the Americans with Disabilities Act, but we soon realized without an active collaboration with corporate America, people with disabilities would never be able to participate fully, nor meaningfully, in business.” Disability:IN, formerly the US Business Leadership Network (USBLN), has since become the leading nonprofit resource for business disability inclusion worldwide. Disability:IN represents a new era for disability inclusion in business. At the same time, the organization remains committed to building a stronger bridge between business and the disability communities. With more than 220 corporate partners, 27 Affiliates, and enduring alliances with LGBTQ individuals, Women, and People of Color, Disability:IN aims for the day when the organization is no longer needed.
