Inclusive Content Consultant RFP 

Request for Proposals 

ADA 25 Advancing Leadership seeks to procure an experienced and well‐qualified consultant for a 9‐month period to serve as a project manager infusing accessibility and disability knowledge into designing and delivering programs and events. 

I. Background  ADA 25 Advancing Leadership, currently housed at The Chicago Community Trust, envisions a region where people with disabilities lead with power and influence. Founded in late 2015 in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Advancing Leadership is the first leadership institute of its kind in the nation. Our ninety‐five members are currently serving in a variety of capacities on boards, task forces, committees and commissions and through our civic connections project we are continually seeking new opportunities to serve.   ADA 25 Advancing Leadership is currently supported by The Chicago Community Trust, MacArthur Foundation, Exelon, BMO Harris Bank, JPMorgan Chase, Allstate and others. For more information see www.ada25chicago.org and attached appendices pp 4‐9.  

II. Scope of Work The purpose of the consultant is to ensure that disability knowledge and accessibility is consistent through all programming including, but not limited to building out:  

1. Learning Framework and Member Symposium: Building on the Leadership Institute curriculum to develop stand alone and long term learning framework and materials for the Members Network.  This will include: 

a. Conceptualizing content for an interactive, digital environment. Content, which may be researched or created, includes, but is not limited to:  

Fundamentals of the ADA, and other disability rights laws   Disability rights history, community and culture  How disability intersects with current social issues  Fundamentals of expanding accessibility  Expert resources for further information 

b. Work with project manager to design and deliver 4‐hour universally designed member symposium on Saturday, September 22, 2018. This includes: 

 Developing a training curriculum for public sector engagement opportunities.  

Identifying speakers and/or planning format for additional symposium topics that could include: 

o Disability rights issues today 

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o Where we are now: current trends toward inclusion, diversity, equity (e.g., disability as part of diversity) 

o Public sector civic training – what are the opportunities and how can I serve? 

o One topic designed by current Fellows Class o Help identify Key Note speaker if appropriate 

2. BoardLead program: To scale advancements on nonprofit boards ADA25AL will initiate a pilot program with BoardLead, a program of Cause Strategy Partners.  The BoardLead process will take interested ADA25AL members through an introduction, application, matching, and on‐boarding training process that if successful could eventually result in up to 40 leaders with disabilities advancing to nonprofit boards and committees in future years. This includes 5 BoardLeader sessions. Consultant will: 

a. Educate Cause Strategy Partners (aka BoardLead) about creating a universally designed training session. Should include disability etiquette, language as well as accessible meetings and training.    

b. Work with BoardLead and the session hosts (ADA25AL will host one, corporations the other three) on creating an accessible space, managing accommodations, etc.   

c. Develop and deliver fifth 1‐2 hour training session focusing on disability in the boardroom in collaboration with BoardLead and ADA25AL Staff.  

III. Qualifications  Ability to connect year‐long programming into cohesive learning framework 

Curriculum development and training experience 

Strong written communication skills 

Personal experience with disability and/or knowledge of the disability rights community  required 

Knowledge of creating accessible content for people with disabilities required 

Knowledge and expertise in developing and guiding the building of cutting edge, accessible digital content 

IV. Budget: Total contract amount should not exceed $15,000 – 20,000 

V. Proposal Details   Proposals should include:  

Consultant bios and previous relevant experience (we recognize that the requirements of this proposal may suggest a consulting team, or more than one contract, and we are open to proposals for parts of the project, for example separate proposals for event design and learning framework development) 

Please Note in the narrative: If your proposal is for all or part of this RFP. 

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Qualifications 

Budget for services 

References 

If working with other consultants, how you will work as a team. 

A plan and timeline for accomplishing the following deliverables: o Check In Meetings at various points that may focus on specific items o Due dates for first draft of: 

Learning framework  BoardLead session  Symposium Design 

o Due dates for second draft of:  Learning framework  BoardLead session  Symposium Design 

o Final Draft o Any ancillary services (e.g. these are not necessarily to be included in 

the budget but if they are proposed please clarify how this would work) 

VI. Timing  Proposals are due: Thursday, April 5, 2018  Selection: April 18, 2018  Completion: December 31, 2018 

 Send your proposal to Risa Jaz Rifkind via email to: rrifkind@cct.org. We welcome preliminary letters of intent and planning conversations. For further information about Advancing Leadership please see below and www.ada25chicag.org/consultants  

 

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Appendix A

Vision and Goals

LONG-TERM VISION

People with disabilities will lead with power and influence for full participation and equal opportunity.

MISSION: To build a pipeline and network of leaders with disabilities who are deeply engaged in the civic life of the Chicago region and advancing in their careers — consistent with the spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

THREE-YEAR GOAL

In 2020, we will see more than 300 people with disabilities in 500 civic and professional leadership positions, exercising their influence to impact communities throughout the Chicago region.1

Strategies

1. Identify, educate and empower emerging leaders with disabilities through an annual Leadership Institute focused on personal leadership and civic engagement. By 2020: 16 Fellows per year will be connected with mentors and advancement opportunities.

2. Build a robust Members Network of established leaders with disabilities who support and learn from each other as they increase their civic participation, professional growth, and influence. By 2020, the network will grow from 75 to 200 members.

3. Connect leaders with disabilities to civic and professional growth opportunities that will

build their power and influence by advancing our Civic Connections project. By 2020, civic and professional advancements will grow from 45 to 200.

4. Implement a sustainability plan designed to achieve program outcomes, identify a permanent home and diversify financial support by the end of calendar year 2020.

1 There is no good current data, but current number of positions filled by people with disabilities serving on non-

profit and public sector boards, commissions, task forces and committees is estimated at 300 in 2017

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Appendix B

Program Model and Overall Structure

ADA 25 Advancing Leadership is the only disability leadership and inclusion program focused on civic engagement in the nation. Leadership Institute Fellows have called the program “transformative,” “of the highest value,” and “empowering,” and public sector and non-profit leaders are increasingly seeking out our members to serve on task forces, committees and boards of directors. Guided by the ADA’s civil rights and inclusion principles our program includes people with diverse disabilities, both apparent and non-apparent. Long term, we hope to change the disability inclusion paradigm from one where people with disabilities have the highest poverty and lowest employment rates of any minority group, to a fully inclusive region where equal opportunity means increased employment, economic security, and leadership. ADA25 Advancing Leadership has an annual Leadership Institute, a Members Network and a Civic Connections project. Through these three programs we aim to bring more diverse leadership to our region’s civic and professional organizations, giving new insight, perspective, effectiveness, innovation and productivity.

Leadership Institute 16-20 emerging leaders with disabilities are competitively selected as Fellows. In 2018, the institute begins with an orientation, and a two part retreat, each component held in a different corporate setting. The two retreats are facilitated by

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leadership experts with disability experience, and the design has been continually improved using responses to evaluations conducted by UIC. The year-long program also includes ongoing mentoring, educational and networking opportunities featuring disability rights history, networking with Chicago’s civic and professional leaders, and advancing personal leadership goals.

Members Network The Members Network brings together graduates of the Fellows program and invited established leaders with disabilities from all walks of life. Members attend networking and educational events and are connected to boards, committees, task forces and speaking and leadership opportunities. They serve as a network and community of support and include many established leaders who serve as mentors to current Fellows. With the 2018 Fellows Class our network has grown to 95 members.

Civic Connections project This project connects our members to volunteer civic opportunities from task forces and committees to board of directors, and tracks civic and professional advancements. To date, we have seen 55 civic and professional advancements to leadership opportunities at organizations including AIDS Foundation of Chicago, Access Living, Brookfield Zoo, Chicago Community Trust Disabilities Fund, Chicago Jobs Council, Erie Neighborhood House, Equip for Equality, Near North Health Service Corporation, Open Communities, Openlands, PACE, Red Theatre, and more. Professional growth and speaking opportunities have included serving as panelists and facilitators for Forefront, University of Chicago Booth School On Board Conference, and successful nominations of members to Leadership Greater Chicago, Civic Leadership Academy, and Illinois Women’s Institute for Leadership.

Current Supporters

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Overall Structure

A. Executive Committee

Members as of January 2018

Co-Chairs, Karen Tamley, Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities, and

Paulette Jagers, Head, Strategic Initiatives and Leadership, BMO Financial Group

Members: Peggy Davis, (invited) Chief Officer of Programs and Strategic Integration, The Chicago Community Trust Shelley Stern Grach, Director of Civic Engagement Chicago, Microsoft Mark Ishaug, CEO, Thresholds Kenton Klaus, Partner, Deloitte Manika Turnbull, Vice President & Chief Diversity Officer, Health Care Health Service Corporation Steven Solomon, President, Exelon Foundation; Director, Corporate Relations, Exelon The Executive Committee meets approximately four times per year to:

Set strategic direction and policy o Oversee sustainability plan implementation

Approve Budget

Support and oversee Executive Director

Contribute to the financial health of Advancing Leadership

o Help to develop fund raising strategy

o Provide outreach and connections to support a successful strategy

o Contribute to the extent possible through personal as well as organizational financial

and in-kind support

Serve as ambassador to business, government and non-profit communities

o Assist with recruiting fellows and selecting members

o May serve as mentors

o Assist with identifying civic connections

As Advancing Leadership implements its sustainability plan, the Executive Committee may take on new roles depending on future partnerships and non-profit status.

Term: 2-3 years renewable, staggered to provide continuity

B. Program Committee

Co-Chairs: Karen Tamley, Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD) and Ann Manikas,

American Medical Association

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Members: Laurie Dittman, MOPD; Bridget Evans, Lurie Children’s Hospital; Daisy Feidt, Access

Living; Joanie Friedman, University of Chicago; Randall Owen, UIC; Sarah Helm, Discover; Sam

Knight, Disability Resource Center; Tony Martinez, Chicago Community Trust; Melissa Reishus,

The Seaglass Group; Tsehaye Hebert, Playwright.

Meets approximately quarterly to:

Provide expertise on disability issues, leadership development, program design, learning

goals, selection criteria

Includes at least one member of most recent completed Fellows class

Serve as ambassadors for recruitment, nominations

Assist with selection of Fellows as interviewers and selection committee

Assist with identifying civic connections

May serve as mentors

Invited to attend program events

Term: 2 years with potential to renew

C. Fellows

Emerging leaders selected to participate in the annual year-long Leadership Institute

Two-part retreat over five days, educational and networking programs, mentoring and

development of personal leadership plans

Plan Fellows activities for their class and participate in members program planning

Sustain class Facebook Page and other ongoing communications

Up to two Fellows per class selected to participate in Program Committee

Listed on Advancing Leadership website with headshot, LinkedIn and email address

Participate in Civic Connections Project – activate leadership plans

D. Members

Established leaders who join in one of three ways: 1) Fellows selected for Leadership Institute who complete the one year program; 2) Invitation of the Executive Committee; 3) Members program application (new in 2018-19)

Participate in member network events

Participate in Civic Connections Project including BoardLead

Serve on non-profit and public sector task forces, committees, boards, commissions

Serve as mentors, interviewers and speakers for Leadership Institute

Join private Advancing Leadership LinkedIn Group

Listed on Advancing Leadership website with headshot, LinkedIn and email address

Eligible for scholarships to various events (e.g. Kennedy Forum)

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