John Ellerman Foundation’s Post

A few thoughts on making websites (more) accessible... This update on website accessibility has been the result of months of work by the team, the auditor we commissioned specifically to complete an accessibility audit of our website, and our website provider. Website accessibility is a vital consideration given that many charitable funders like John Ellerman Foundation use their websites as a ‘shop window’ or main point of contact and communications for applicants, grant-holders and the key stakeholders that we work with, such as peer grantmaking organisations. Our websites are an important resource for these groups. For us, our applicants gain much of the information about how to apply to us from our website (as well as the team), and it is only through our website that an application can be made to us. Our website also contains information about how a grant is managed that is relevant to our grant-holders. We also use it to share information, updates and insights about our work that are relevant to the stakeholders we work with. Given its role as a resource, we are committed to keeping our website as clear and navigable as possible. I'm grateful to Stephanie Santiano, our Grants Manager, for leading much of this work for us. And to the Foundation Practice Rating, as their assessment of this as part of the rating made us think much more carefully about making our website more accessible. https://lnkd.in/eRERrWKG #Accessibility #WebsiteAccessibility

Are you or have you ever been an unpaid carer*? In October 2023, Hon. Amanda Rishworth MP, Minister for Social Services, announced the development of a National Carer Strategy. The Department of Social Services (DSS) is seeking your perspective. The Department of Social Services has engaged Deloitte to facilitate community consultation across Australia on the National Carer Strategy.   Deloitte will be facilitating consultations nationwide in July, August, and September 2024. To see when one of these consultations is in your area, and to register your attendance, scan the QR code in the attached flyer or visit DSS Engage. Follow this link to register your attendance 👇  https://lnkd.in/gJJap9N6 *Any current or former unpaid carers in Australia, comprising family members, friends, or community members, who provide essential care without financial compensation to individuals are eligible to participate. $Financial compensations for your time are available. [image description: The image displays the logo of the "National Carer Strategy." The logo features a stylised "C" shape, composed of overlapping, multicoloured petals forming a circular design. The text "National Carer Strategy" is placed to the right of the logo.]

Just got home after a thought-provoking 2 days at the Commissioners Conference (#ncctc). These views are my own, not Sandwell’s. I met some wonderful people: CEOs, Directors, and Workers representing their organisations beautifully. Full disclosure: I’m a social worker, and money wasn’t a focus until recently in my commissioning role. Throughout my career, I feel I’ve always justified the funds for the children and families I work with. However, the last few months have been eye-opening and sickening, seeing the money pits we’re forced to use. The famous Desmond Tutu quote resonates: “There comes a point where we need to stop just pulling people out of the river. We need to go upstream and find out why they're falling in.” The national shortage of foster carers and social workers is alarming. They’re drained, making desperate decisions due to a lack of resources, often using unregulated, expensive, and inadequate settings. Residential, assessment, and therapeutic services have set their prices so high that many providers follow suit. With record numbers of children entering care, doubled DOLs since 20/21, and increasing regulations and inspections, yet the money pot remains empty. I was reassured by the organisers and speakers. The key message was “a time for change,” centering on children and young people. It’s about time the profiteering from children’s care stopped. “Care is not a product; it is a verb.” Other reflections: 1. Language in social work is complex, but commissioners’ jargon was overwhelming. “Co-production” is the buzzword—what happened to “working together”? 2. Children’s care is too expensive. Inflation shouldn’t lead to extortion. What will future governments do? When did it become daylight robbery? (Some - not all). Providers need to reflect and make it fair. 3. Collaboration is key. Connecting and talking has been great and will hopefully open doors. 4. At Sandwell, we want to find homes, not placements. We want our children to feel settled and have aspirations. “Every child has something special,” and we tell them, “they can.” 5. I’m proud of Sandwell’s commitment to diversify and change. We’ve introduced the Berri assessment and strengths-based profiles to improve matching. We’re upgrading our Home Searching Request form to highlight our children’s strengths and personalities. Step-Aside in Sandwell is ready to partner with organisations. Please get in touch! I didn’t meet everyone, but I look forward to connecting. Fostering agencies, let’s discuss our visions. We have many ideas and need your collaboration. Drop me a message 😊.

Creating an inclusive digital world is more than a trend, it's a responsibility. Especially for nonprofits, ensuring your website is accessible to all is not just good practice, it's a legal must. Let's champion web accessibility together! 🌍🤝 #AccessibilityMatters #NonprofitInnovation #InclusiveDesign

Transparency in diversity. For the 7th consecutive year, Green 2.0 presents data on the diversity of staff and inclusivity practices of non-profit organizations (“NGOs”) and foundations in the environmental sector. Since 2020, many organizations committed to centering racial equity in internal staffing, organizational policies, and external programming. Three years later, this report serves as a key mechanism to hold organizations accountable for those promises. #diversity #equity #racial #transparency #NGO #green #sustainability #foundations https://lnkd.in/ede5N-6p

Before departing as his Congressional aide, a Senator told me, “You’re going to be a Chief of Staff one day.” After 8 months of advising him through the height of COVID as his health staffer, he knew me well — he meant what he said, but I didn't believe him. Well, he was right — I'm ecstatic to share that I've been promoted to Chief of Staff at the Women’s Bureau! Don’t know what that is? Did you know that for every 10% increase in a county's childcare prices, there’s a 1% decrease in women’s labor force participation? That moms lose $300K in compensation over their lifetime because of the unpaid care they provide? That the U.S. economy losing $775B in economic activity and 5M working women EACH YEAR because of our lacking care infrastructure? These findings are from the Women’s Bureau, and that’s just our research arm! We are the only federal agency mandated by Congress to represent the needs of working women. We’re a mighty team fighting for better — better jobs for women, better pay for women, better systems for women. There is so much better to be had, and it really benefits everyone and the economy. I am PROUD to join this incredible agency because this work is so important — but it’s also personal. As a survivor of childhood abuse and neglect, homelessness, and food insecurity, I think about who I wish I knew existed in the world to help rise me out of dark times and into a better life — I wake up everyday to be that person. As an AANHPI woman, I fight for people who often feel invisible in our society and in our fights for social justice. As a child of immigrants, I fight for people in an endless cycle of hope and hopelessness while combatting racism, language barriers, and systemic barriers to critical services. As a former teacher, I fight for families who are told they need to work harder to make ends meet despite being some of the hardest working, resilient people. These have always been my personal mandates, but the older I get, the more I process my lived experiences, the louder and clearer these mandates become. Imposter syndrome is real, but these personal mandates ring louder in my head. The fights I fight are too important to be bogged down by self doubt. I am here because I belong, and I belong because of my lived experiences. Again, I NEED to be the person I wish I had when I was younger and in my darkest times. I’ve met incredible people who believed in me and helped me rise, people who let me be my full self — and more! There are people who will now fight for me in my darkest times, people who care. I am beyond grateful to have these people in my life, to call them mentors and friends. They inspire me with the leadership and impact they present to the world each and every day, and I hope to be that person for others too. To end this long, belated announcement of a job update, I’ll conclude with a saying that never fails to inspire me whenever I’m faced with self doubt: Be strong. You never know who you are inspiring. ✨

Day 2️⃣ of the Sustainable X #sustainabilitychallenge for us is about improving our Digital Inclusivity. We were reminded by Lee Keogh fCMgr, recently on a post, that Purple Tuesday is next week on the 7th of November. 💜Purple Tuesday is an initiative dedicated to improving the disabled customer experience. Other than meeting our clients on-site or in virtual meetings, our website is one way we interact with others. We have never had an accessibility check done and have found this amazing charity, Accessibility Services, which is part of the Shaw Trust, that does free website accessibility checks. Check them out below👇 I have requested one today and hopefully, it will help us be more accessible for all members of our community. I'll post the results in the comments when I get them! (As promised - this is linked to Sustainability Development Goal 10 - Reduced Inequalities) #inclusion #inclusionmatters #sdg10 #dei #sustainability #accessibility #challengeaccepted #sdgs2030

Day 2️⃣ of the Sustainable X #sustainabilitychallenge for us is about improving our Digital Inclusivity. We were reminded by Lee Keogh fCMgr, recently on a post, that Purple Tuesday is next week on the 7th of November. 💜Purple Tuesday is an initiative dedicated to improving the disabled customer experience. Other than meeting our clients on-site or in virtual meetings, our website is one way we interact with others. We have never had an accessibility check done and have found this amazing charity, Accessibility Services, which is part of the Shaw Trust, that does free website accessibility checks. Check them out below👇 I have requested one today and hopefully, it will help us be more accessible for all members of our community. I'll post the results in the comments when I get them! (As promised - this is linked to Sustainability Development Goal 10 - Reduced Inequalities) #inclusion #inclusionmatters #sdg10 #dei #sustainability #accessibility #challengeaccepted #sdgs2030

Volunteering and its Surprising Benefits Volunteering can help you make friends, learn new skills, advance your career, and even feel happier and healthier. Learn how to find the right volunteer opportunity for you. "Why volunteer? With busy lives, it can be hard to find time to volunteer. However, the benefits of volunteering can be enormous. Volunteering offers vital help to people in need, worthwhile causes, and the community, but the benefits can be even greater for you, the volunteer. The right match can help you to find friends, connect with the community, learn new skills, and even advance your career. " #shrm #morriscountyshrm #morriscountynj #hr #humanresources #humanresourcesprofessional #hrprofessional #hrcommunity #mentalhealth #volunteer #mentalwellness #

Since 2020 the amount of conversations I have had about website accessibility and compliance has increased and is on more companies minds. So...Is your website WCAG 2.2 AA compliant? It's more important than you might think! Who Needs to Comply? - Government and Public Services: All levels of government websites. - Commercial Sites: Online businesses, especially e-commerce and financial institutions. - Healthcare Providers: Hospitals and clinics. - Educational Institutions: Schools and universities. - Non-Profits: Charities and support organizations. Why It Matters: - Legal Safety: Avoid lawsuits and fines by meeting accessibility laws. - Inclusivity: Make your site usable for everyone, including people with disabilities. - Better User Experience: Accessibility improvements benefit all users. - Proactively making your site accessible is not just about compliance; it's about creating a better, more inclusive web for everyone. #Accessibility #Inclusion #WebCompliance #WCAG Feel free to connect with me for more tips on making your website accessible! It can be hard to know where to start.