Frequently Asked Questions
Questions About Empwr
Who runs the Empwr Recruiting Super Day and Conference?
These events are hosted by the Empwr Disability in Business Association (EDBA). EDBA is a DC-based nonprofit, founded in 2022 and run by a graduate of UNC Chapel Hill Kenan-Flagler Business School's Full-Time MBA Program. EDBA's mission is threefold: 1) support disabled business students, 2) create disability allies through approachable education, and 3) promote the widespread empowerment of disabled people in the professional world.
Who can attend the recruiting day and conference?
Empwr exists to benefit business students (graduate and undergraduate) who belong to the disability community. However, we welcome business student allies to join us! Plus, there's a separate registration process for employers and company representatives who would like to recruit at an Empwr event. At the conference, there will be breakout programming geared towards self-advocates, allies, and employers.
What does is cost to attend an Empwr event?
For the conference, cost depends on the answers to a few other questions: Do you need to travel to attend? Do you need to reserve accommodations at the conference hotel? Are you a current MBA student, a current non-MBA student, a recent graduate, an employer representative, or a conference speaker?
Registration is heavily subsidized for all student participants, with hotel room discounts of up to 75% off. A student or recent graduate who registers (early bird!) to attend the conference and stays three nights at the conference hotel will pay only $220 - a cost which also includes breakfast and lunch throughout the conference.
What if I need accommodations to attend an event?
We are excited to facilitate your participation as fully as possible! Just indicate when you register that you have a specific accessibility need and describe how we can accommodate you in a couple of sentences. We will then reach out individually to confirm that we are able to provide the proper supports.
Questions About Disability
What counts as "disability"? How is it defined?
Disability is defined by the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. In other words, any difference of the brain or body which makes life more challenging in a significant way is a disability.
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Many in the disability community have adopted a four-category framework to better convey what disability encapsulates. While this framework isn't perfect - some conditions fit in multiple categories, and a few don't neatly fall in any bucket - it is helpful! Those four major types of disability are Physical Disability, Chronic Illness, Neurodivergence, and Mental Illness.
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Any impactful physical difference which affects physical interaction with one's environment
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Usually (but not always) visible to others
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FOR EXAMPLE: Mobility & Motor Impairments, Limb Differences, Deafness, Blindness, Dwarfism, Epilepsy
Physical Disability
Chronic Illness
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Any physical health condition lasting one year or more which requires ongoing medical support
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Usually invisible to others
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FOR EXAMPLE: Arthritis, Cancer, Heart Disease, Lupus, COPD, Crohn’s Disease, Diabetes, Migraines
Neurodi-
vergence
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Any neurological difference with a consistent trait-based expression (generally impacts information processing)
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Usually invisible to others
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FOR EXAMPLE: Learning disabilities, ADHD, Autism, Tourette Syndrome, Intellectual Disability
Mental Illness
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Any mental health condition which primarily alters thinking, behavior, and/or mood
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Usually invisible to others
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FOR EXAMPLE: Chronic Depression, Anxiety Disorders (OCD, PTSD), Eating Disorders, Addiction