Relay Resources Invests in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility With New Chief Disability Inclusion Officer

PORTLAND, Ore., November 20, 2023 (Newswire.com) - Wally Tablit, a nationally recognized leader in supported employment, joins Relay Resources as the organization’s first Chief Disability Inclusion Officer. Tablit will lead efforts to advance centering people with disabilities in the workplace through diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA) initiatives. He is responsible for recruiting, learning and development, career pathing, employee engagement, disability advocacy, and accessibility and accommodations. With the goal of enhancing the employee experience, increasing productivity and improving retention, Tablit will infuse an inclusive approach throughout facilities, policies, language, hiring, onboarding, and tools and equipment.

Dr. Jennifer Camota Luebke, President and CEO of Relay Resources, stated, “We are excited to have Wally join Relay and look forward to broadening our impact with his additional focus on disability inclusion. Wally’s energy is infectious, and I can’t wait to see his passion and experience in action.” 

Tablit, who identifies proudly as a gay Asian man with a disability, was born in the Philippines and immigrated to Hawaii. With a B.A. in Rehabilitation and an M.A. in Counseling from Seattle University, he has supported people with disabilities through employment, training, community engagement, advocacy, policy and leadership. He served various populations as a director of several employment agencies and helped end sub-minimum wage practices in Washington state. Tablit was recently Senior Director of Leadership and Workforce Development at RespectAbility. Prior, he was the Chief Mission and Diversity Officer at Atwork.

Tablit was elected to the National Board of Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE) in 2017 after serving as President of the Washington State Board. He also served as the National Board Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Officer for three years, crafting an EDI declaration used by chapters around the country. Tablit has provided consulting services on community integrated employment, organizational development and DEIA with clients such as Rutgers University, The University of Maryland, Syracuse University, Great Lakes ADA Center and Southwest ADA Center.

“I’m looking forward to creating a positive impact at Relay Resources,” expressed Tablit. “As a person with a disability, I’ve experienced the power of true inclusion, something Relay has been striving towards for more than 70 years. I’m eager to build on their success with this amazing team.”

Camota Luebke views this as one of many investments Relay will be making in DEIA. “As other organizations pull back from DEIA, we want to lean in,” said Camota Luebke. “It’s important to set the foundation to support employees with and without disabilities as we grow. I'm confident Wally will lead these critical initiatives with empathy because of his vast experience.” 

At a time when Disabilities is often the forgotten “D” in Diversity, Relay Resources, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit headquartered in Portland, Oregon, is actively cultivating an environment of true inclusion by creating meaningful work for people with disabilities.

Source: Relay Resources