Former U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin to discuss inclusive workplaces and economic growth on Wednesday

Former Sen. Tom Harkin, internet pioneer Vinton Cerf and others will discuss inclusive workplaces and how they can spur economic growth at a National Press Club Headliners event at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 4.

The event is free to credentialed media and Club members. Register online.

Companies leading the way with inclusive workplaces achieved, on average, 28 percent higher revenue, double the net income and 30 percent higher economic profit margins over four years, according to Accenture. The study also found that for each 1 percent of this population that joins the U.S. labor force, the economy would grow by a net $25 million.

Harkin, D-Iowa, was the chief sponsor of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Cerf was the winner of the National Medal of Technology and Innovation for founding and developing the internet.

They will be joined by others to discuss how to bring an estimated 11 million people with disabilities into the workplace, and how technology can help make it happen.

Other speakers include:

Gregg Vanderheiden, professor and director of the Trace R&D Center, University of Maryland, and pioneering advocate for access to technology.

Kim Charlson, executive director of Perkins Library, a division of Perkins School for the Blind, and immediate past president of the American Council of the Blind.

Chet Cooper, founder of ABILITYMagazine.com, abilityJOBS.com, ABILITYJobFair.org and ABILITYCorps.org.

Rob Wong, chief executive of Control Bionics, provider of EMG wearable bionics devices.