Labor Department Posts New Section 503 Checklist Tool The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (DOL/OFCCP) has released a new interactive tool to help federal contractors assess their compliance with the affirmative action program (AAP) requirements of Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. Developed by OFCCP in coordination with the Office of Disability Employment Policy, the Checklist for Compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 enables employers to answer a series of “yes/no” questions about their company’s practices and policies. While contractors are not required to use the checklist (and using it doesn’t ensure compliance), doing so may prove beneficial in enhancing awareness of AAP obligations and flagging potential problem areas in need of correction.
Disability Equality Index Celebrates Inaugural Reception on Capitol Hill Late last month, the American Association of People with Disabilities and the U.S. Business Leadership Network—an Employer TA Center partner—hosted a reception on Capitol Hill to recognize those companies that scored 80 points or higher on the inaugural Disability Equality Index (DEI), which is sponsored by both organizations. The DEI survey assesses inclusion across the workplace, marketplace and supply chain, awarding points in four major categories. This first year, 80 Fortune 1000 companies participated. The second annual DEI is scheduled to launch in December.
National Disability Employment Awareness Month Posters Now Available National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) 2015 is less than two months away! To help employers and others in planning observances, the official poster and other materials are now available. Held each October, NDEAM celebrates the many and diverse contributions of America’s workers with disabilities, both past and present, and employers can take part in a variety of ways. This year’s theme is “My Disability is One Part of Who I Am.”
DOJ Issues Guidance on Service Dogs The U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division recently issued a new resource on service animals, titled Frequently Asked Questions About Service Animals and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This publication provides helpful guidance on general rules governing service dogs that employers may want to review to ensure they are providing equal access for both employers and customers who may use them. In addition, it defines what constitutes a service animal and the many ways they assist people with a variety of disabilities, not only visual impairments.
JAN Issues Quarterly ENews The latest issue of the Job Accommodation Network’s (JAN) quarterly newsletter was issued last month, providing information on a range of topics, from accommodations for teachers with disabilities to simple steps businesses can take to make their websites more accessible. JAN is the leading source for expert, confidential guidance on workplace accommodations for people with disabilities and, like the Employer TA Center, is funded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy.
The Expanding Disability Market: Serving Customers with Disabilities
September 9, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. EST
WEBINAR
This webinar, sponsored by the Northeast ADA Center, will address how businesses and agencies can ensure they are accessible to the rapidly expanding market that is people with disabilities, including people with acquired, age-related disabilities. It will serve as the first in two webinars on the topic, the second of which will address specific common scenarios. Participation is free but registration is required.
As a follow up to the September 9 webinar titled The Expanding Disability Market: Serving Customers with Disabilities, this Northeast ADA Center event will explore specific scenarios related to serving people with disabilities in a variety of sectors, including health care, retail, hospitality, recreation and education. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions and interact with the facilitator. Participation is free but registration is required.
Global financial services firm JPMorgan Chase has proactively worked to ensure its workforce—which comprises more than 240,000 people across the globe—is inclusive of the skills and talents of people with disabilities. According to its Global Head of Diversity, Patricia David, the key to success in doing this is valuing all employees as unique individuals and embracing disability as a part of diversity.
Business Strategies that Work: Accompanying Research and Resource Compendium
A supplement to Business Strategies that Work: A Framework for Disability Inclusion, this compendium provides a review of recent literature (2011-2014) regarding the recruitment, hiring, retention and advancement of people with disabilities and a selective list of technical assistance materials to aid employers in implementing or enhancing disability inclusion initiatives.
The Employer Assistance and Resource Network (EARN) is a resource for employers seeking to recruit, hire, retain and advance qualified employees with disabilities. It is a service of the National Employer Policy, Research and Technical Assistance Center for Employers on the Employment of People with Disabilities (Employer TA Center), which is funded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy under a cooperative agreement with The Viscardi Center. For more information, visit AskEARN.org
Preparation of this material was funded by the Office of Disability Employment Policy, U.S. Department of Labor, Grant No. [OD-26451-14-75-4-36]. This document does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Office of Disability Employment Policy, U.S. Department of Labor, nor does the mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.
