About Argonne Backs Listens and Educates for Disabilities (ABLED)

Launched in October 2018, ABLED’s vision has been focused on creating a community for disability advocates, employees with disabilities, and parents of children with disabilities. ABLED provides a safe space for our community to share their stories, their ideas, and their struggles with each other. Our motto is “It’s OK!”.. and we live that motto. It’s OK to share, It’s OK to ask questions, and It’s OK to say, “I need help!”

ABLED was built on a foundation of three primary pillars: Backs, Listens, and Educates. See our charter here.

Backs

We provide volunteer opportunities for employee members to internal and external community events and programs supporting people with disabilities. We strive to collaborate with Argonne leadership and other ERGs to create opportunities that can benefit members from all organizations.

Listens

We facilitate support groups and/or peer-to-peer networks within ABLED to help members focus on their specific needs or interests including “Cancer Support” and “Parenting on the Spectrum”. We also provide disability mentorship programs to support a variety of folks and provide a space for employees to voice feedback, concerns, ideas, etc. in monthly meetings.

Educates

We spread awareness, make recommendations, and provide educational opportunities about best practices for managing and supporting people with disabilities. We aim to sponsor training and motivational events that will help the lab culture in recognizing and being inclusive of employees with disabilities.