Why EXCEL!?The 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
literally opened doors to people with disabilities seeking access to
public accommodations and services. Yet, in one key
area--employment—people with disabilities have made scant progress
since the ADA passage. According to a 2000 Harris poll, only 3 in 10
disabled persons aged 16 to 64 work part-time or full-time. Business
and professional people with disabilities also face institutional or
mind-set obstacles in their career paths.
The EXCEL! Networking Group was created as a response to these
challenges. Founded in May 1993, EXCEL! is the pioneering
professional networking group run by and for people with
disabilities in the Washington, D.C. area — and one of the first
such organizations in the United States.
EXCEL! Mission StatementThe EXCEL! Networking Group seeks
to enhance the self-determination and advancement of people with
disabilities in the Washington metropolitan area who will form an
active network of members with the goal of developing employment and
professional opportunities, promoting education about disability,
and reinforcing positive public attitudes about people with
disabilities. |
