If you're a representative of a non-profit organization and plan on submitting a grant proposal or requesting money from one of many major local funders, you'll soon hear about INsite. INsite is a coalition of local funders initiated by and operated under the leadership of the Manuel D. and Rhoda Mayerson Foundation.

Full members of INsite will requirea comprehensive inclusion audit for capital projects greater than $1 million. However, all grant applicants will be encouraged by INsite members to consider inclusion audits regardless of size. Associate members of INsite will also recommend inclusion audits.

An Inclusion Audit is a detailed analysis of an organization's facility and practice as these relate to including and welcoming people with disabilities. The audit focuses on issues beyond ADA standards that will set the stage for an environment that excludes no one.

You may remember, several years ago we released the results of , a ground-breaking study on the inclusiveness of Greater Cincinnati. More than 1500 area organizations voluntarily reviewed their inclusiveness, many asking us to provide further consultation. Since then, we've provided inclusion audits for a broad range of organizations. Today, all of them are more welcoming and more thoughtful when it comes to people with disabilities.

For more information about INsite or inclusion audits, please contact us at 513-345-1330.

Inclusion Network Offers New "In-The-Know" Project

The Inclusion Network has recently launched "In-The-Know", a project that offers non-profit organizations training, consultation, information on communication and accessible web sites, and Inclusion Audit services.

"In-The-Know" is funded with the help of a $10,000 per year grant for three years by the Jacob G. Schmidlapp Trusts, Fifth Third Bank, Trustee, and a $7500 grant from the Cinergy Foundation. Thanks to this support, the Inclusion Network is able to subsidize some of the cost of the Inclusion Audit for non-profit organizations.

The Inclusion Network also received a $10,000 from unrestricted funds and the George and Peggy K. Stricker Fund of The Greater Cincinnati Foundation to develop Inclusion Audit materials and a marketing plan.

Long Term Sponsors Recognized

Each year since the inception of the Inclusion Leadership Awards Event, Federated Department Stores has been its lead sponsor. Since then, the Inclusion Network has been privileged to partner with many other local organizations as well. Unique awards created by graphic arts students from the Cincinnati Arts and Technology Center were presented to each sponsor whose support has extended more than three years. What better way to celebrate a 10th anniversary than to thank those whose dedication and commitment help make it possible!

"We appreciate Federated, and all of our long term sponsors' leadership in our campaign to make our community a more welcoming, more inclusive place for all of us," said Neal Mayerson, Inclusion Network president.

A partner of the Cincinnati Public Schools, the Cincinnati Arts and Technology Center offers a hands-on arts and technology curriculum to recommended CPS high school juniors and seniors. The free, after school program allows students to earn up to two credits a year in fine arts or electives subjects.

Long Term Sponsor Honorees:

• August A. Rendigs, Jr. Foundation
• Bahl and Gaynor
• The Bahmann Foundation
• Children's Hospital Medical Center
• Cincinnati Bell
• Dan and Susan Pfau
• Frederic H. Mayerson
• Frost Brown Todd LLC
• Dick Weiland
• Kim and Gary Heiman Family Foundation
• KnowledgeWorks Foundation
• Lee and Shannon Carter
• MAC Productions, Inc.
• Margaret S. and Durwood G. Rorie, Jr. Fund
• Procter and Gamble
• SC Ministry Foundation
• Time Warner Cable
• US Bank
• Village Green Management
• Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP
• Waldman, Pitcher and Company
• Peter Tamborski
• Thompson Hine LLP
• Hamilton County Board of MR/DD
• Art Links
• United - Maier Signs
• WLWT - Channel 5
• The Cincinnati Enquirer
• Kesher
• City of Cincinnati

Do you have any ideas or information to pass along? If so, send it to us at:

Inclusion Network
312 Walnut Street, Suite 3600
Cincinnati, OH 45202
email: info@inclusion.org

Board of Directors

Ms. Gretchen Dinerman
Mr. Rob Howard
Ms. Marie Huenefeld
Dr. Donna Mayerson
Dr. Neal Mayerson
Ms. Ellen Schaengold
Mr. Pete Tamborski

Advisory Council

Mr. Jeff Carroll
Mr. Robert Harris
Ms. Cathy Heizman
Ms. Linda Kunick
Mr. Peter Keiser
Ms. Lee Ketcham
Mr. David Mann
Dr. Donna Mayerson

Task Force Coordinators

John Romer, Hospitality

Judy Rudig, Voting 

Sr. Dorothy Schuette, Religion