Working alongside nonprofit organizations to support people experiencing disabilities nationwide

Even though one in four adults in the US has a disability, individuals with disabilities continue to face greater barriers of access to healthcare, education, safe housing and food security.

With a more equitable healthcare system as our North Star, our Community Impact team partners with several agencies focused on creating access for quality learning environments, housing, food, economic stability and so much more.

Additionally, Vizient’s corporate grant-giving has funded a variety of programs tackling barriers to health access and equity from transportation to cancer appointments, to patient navigation services, to mental health and recovery programs.

Partnering with nonprofits to help make a difference

Bryan’s House – Dallas

Vizient employees who volunteer with Bryan’s house learn how to adapt books for children with disabilities. By adding textures and engaging elements to beloved children’s books, our employees are making learning more accessible, breaking down one barrier to quality education for kids with disabilities.

Meals on Wheels – Dallas and Chicago

Both our Dallas and Chicago office locations send teams to support Meals on Wheels during our annual Community Day. Meals on Wheels is committed to improving the health and well-being of seniors and individuals with disabilities. This goes beyond meal delivery. Interaction with a delivery driver is often the most meaningful contact a client has – 84% of the seniors we serve tell us their driver is the only human contact they have every week.

Project Onward – Chicago

One of the highlights of our Vizient Chicago office is the gallery wall featuring artwork from Project Onward – a nonprofit studio and gallery for adult artists with developmental disabilities and/or mental illnesses. Project Onward provides materials and studio space at no cost to the artists in their collective. The artists’ work is featured in their in-house gallery and showcased in exhibitions around the world. The community and resources are invaluable as artists grow their portfolio and careers. Vizient also supports Project Onward through grantmaking and volunteering.

The Bridge – Dallas

Individuals with disabilities are disproportionately impacted by homelessness. Vizient supports numerous housing programs and recovery centers, including our Community Day partner, The Bridge – which is the only shelter in Dallas that provides day shelter services to all adults experiencing homelessness. The Bridge offers basic-needs services including hot showers, nutritious meals and haircuts, as well as intensive services such as physical and mental health evaluations and care management services for more than 800 guests daily and provides shelter for 300 guests every night.

Supporting teachers nationwide

Vizient employees nominated and donated to over 20 teachers’ Donor’s Choose pages this year, many of which supported projects focused on making classrooms more accessible. From creating flexible seating for students and broadening their accessible library to building an obstacle course adapted for students with physical disabilities, these teachers are working to make their classrooms a place where everyone has an opportunity to grow and thrive.

I encourage us to celebrate our differing abilities and to focus on increasing accessibility and inclusiveness for employees experiencing disabilities. Together, we must continue to fight ableism and stigmas around disabilities – both visible and invisible – to fully foster a workplace where we can all thrive. Our Ability@Vizient DNA offers a safe space to connect with coworkers and share our unique experiences and perspectives so we can gain a greater understanding of how disabilities impact many of our lives. I challenge each of us to really lean in to learning as much as we can about disability inclusion so we can form genuine connections and practice empathy with our coworkers, friends and loved ones.
Taylor WhiteChief Integration & Transformation Officer and Ability@Vizient executive sponsor
Being your best means having the support you need to succeed, whether you are disabled or not. We all have different strengths and unique perspectives with a vast range of experience and expertise. It’s about creating inclusion and belonging by celebrating the strength of people who face different challenges, show up and continue to win just like the rest of Vizient.
Brian SkeatsLead analyst and Ability@Vizient chair