As employers continue to navigate workforce shortages and evolving talent needs, Virginia Ability will host Workforce Ready RVA, a half-day summit bringing together Richmond-area business leaders, HR professionals, workforce experts and community partners to explore how disability and neurodiversity inclusion can help businesses build stronger workforces.
The Workforce Ready RVA Forum will take place Tuesday, October 27, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at Reynolds Community College.
Held under the theme “Building Richmond’s Future Workforce Through Disability-Inclusive Hiring,” the forum will examine how inclusive hiring can serve as both a workforce and business strategy. Through a keynote presentation and panel discussions, attendees will hear real-world employer success stories, learn practical approaches to inclusive hiring and workplace culture, and explore how businesses can access untapped talent and prepare for the future workforce.
“Richmond businesses are facing a workforce landscape that requires us to think differently about where talent comes from and how we identify potential,” said Joe Williams, Chair of Virginia Ability. “People with disabilities represent an important and often overlooked source of talent. This forum is about moving beyond conversation and giving employers practical strategies to broaden their talent pipelines, strengthen their workforce and create more opportunities for people with disabilities.”
Attendees will learn about:
- Inclusive Hiring Strategies: Approaches that can help employers strengthen talent pipelines and access qualified candidates who may be overlooked by traditional hiring practices.
- Recruitment, Retention and Workplace Culture: Practical strategies for attracting, retaining and supporting talent while creating workplaces where employees can succeed.
- Real-World Employer Success Stories: Lessons from organizations that are putting disability- and neurodiversity-inclusive hiring strategies into practice.
- Preparing for the Future Workforce: How businesses can use inclusive hiring as part of a broader workforce strategy to build more innovative and resilient organizations.
The forum will also provide an opportunity for employers, workforce organizations and community partners to connect, share ideas and identify opportunities to strengthen Richmond’s workforce.
“Businesses don’t have the luxury of leaving capable talent on the sidelines,” Williams said. “Workforce Ready RVA is designed to help employers look differently at their talent pipelines and learn from organizations that are already finding success with new approaches to hiring and retention.”
For more information, visit: https://www.virginiaability.org/event-details/workforce-ready-rva-forum-1