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Free EARN Webinar August 26^th: Workforce/Youth – How to Develop Your Talent Pipeline

Creating a talent pipeline that feeds your business is more than just possible – it’s a powerful competitive advantage. Join us for a free webinar August 26^th, 1:30 – 3:00 pm EDT to learn how to integrate students with disabilities into mentorship and internship programs, connect to local and national resources and find out about tools your business can use.

Did you know…?

The Justice Department has released four advanced notices of proposed rulemaking regarding Provisions II and III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).  These notices were published on July 26, 2010 and will be open for public comment through January 24, 2011. For more information click on: http://www.ada.gov/anprm2010.htm

The Disability Employment Situation

 

July 2010*

 

Employment rate of persons ages 16-64 with disabilities:

27.5%

Employment rate of persons ages 16-64 without disabilities:

70.4%

Employment Gap:

42.9%

Commonly Used Terms

*In June 2010, the employment rate of people 16-64 years of age was 27.5% for persons with disabilities compared with 70.4% for persons without a disability. The gap between the employment rate of persons of 16-64 years of age with and without disabilities was 42.9%, not seasonally adjusted.

 

President Obama signs New Executive Order to Increase Federal Employment of Individuals with Disabilities

In honor of the 20^th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), President Obama signed an executive order July 26^th intended to establish the federal government as a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The order requires the federal Office of Personnel Management, in conjunction with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Office of Management and the Budget, to design model recruitment and hiring strategies, develop mandatory training programs, and support agencies’ efforts to retain workers with disabilities. Each federal agency is also required to develop its own plan for promoting employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.

To read President Obama’s  speech prior to the signing and for information on the Executive Order, click on the following two links:  http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/remarks-president-20th-anniversary-americans-with-disabilities-act ,  http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/executive-order-increasing-federal-employment-individuals-with-disabilities .

ADA Anniversary Toolkit

In honor of the 20^th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the ADA National Network has developed a toolkit of resources. The resources include employer-focused information on ADA compliance, research, veterans and performance management. To access this toolkit or other ADA National Network resources, visit: http://adaanniversary.org/#dyk

Transportation for Workers with Disabilities: New Employer Toolkit

The Community Transportation Association of America and the Federal Transit Administration, with funding from the Office of Disability Employment Policy, U.S. Department of Labor, have created a new Transportation to Work Toolkit for employers. The Toolkit provides information for company executives and human resource professionals on how to assist employees in achieving a timely, cost-efficient commute that promotes productivity and job satisfaction. Resources include information on tax incentives, transportation strategies, accessible transportation, and transportation benefits. To learn more visit: http://web1.ctaa.org/webmodules/webarticles/anmviewer.asp?a=1916&z=75

America’s Heroes at Work: TBI, PTSD and Employment

America’s Heroes at Work, a U.S. Department of Labor program that “addresses the employment challenges of returning Service Members and Veterans living with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and/or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD),” has introduced a new, interactive web-based training resource titled TBI, PTSD and Employment. The tool provides basic clinical information and scenario-based learning geared toward HR professionals and managers to increase employers’ understanding of the potential impact of PTSD and TBI on employment and provide strategies for successfully accommodating returning service members. To learn more or to use the tool, visit: http://www.americasheroesatwork.gov/

DOL Seeks Public’s Advice on Improving Disability Regulations

The U.S. Department of Labor Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) is seeking public input on strengthening regulations for federal contractors regarding the affirmative recruitment, hiring and advancement of individuals with disabilities. Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act has required equal employment opportunity and affirmative action since the 1970’s, but the employment rate for working-age people with disabilities has remained significantly lower than that for working-age people without disabilities. “Work is central to every person’s financial independence, sense of self, and integrity,” said OFCCP Director Patricia A. Shiu. “OFCCP is re-examining its affirmative action regulations so that people with disabilities can be assured that federal contractors are proactively seeking them out for employment.” Comments are due by September 21, 2010 and must submitted at www.regulations.gov

 

Astronaut Sends Sign Language Message from Space Station

Astronaut Tracy Caldwell Dyson sent the first ever message in American Sign Language (ASL) from the International Space Station in July; ASL is the fourth most commonly used language in the U.S. Caldwell Dyson first became interested in ASL when she met a fellow sprinter on the track team in high school. She further developed her ASL skills tutoring a deaf student while in graduate school, realizing the “challenges deaf students in hearing universities face every day – challenges that hearing people take for granted.” In her message, Caldwell Dyson encouraged deaf students to consider careers in science and engineering, saying, “Ultimately, this isn’t really about me learning or knowing ASL.  This story should be an avenue for deaf students — from children in kindergarten to college undergraduates to doctoral candidates — to see themselves belonging to this amazing thing called NASA and participating in scientific research and space exploration.” To read the full story or watch a video of the message visit: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/expeditions/expedition24/sign_in_space.html

NEWS FROM THE NATIONAL INDUSTRY LIAISON GROUP CONFERENCE

The National Industry Liaison Group (NILG) annual conference held earlier this month took advantage of the partnership between the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The opening keynote presenters included Patricia Shiu, Director OFCCP and Jacqueline Berrien, Chair of EEOC. Both speakers acknowledged the unacceptably high unemployment rate of persons with disabilities and emphasized their agency’s commitment to implement changes leading to equalizing access to job opportunities for this underrepresented group. The program itself included several sessions related to disability issues from legal compliance to disability etiquette. The best attended workshop, which was repeated by special demand, was about OFCCP’s increased on-site reviews to check for Section 503 compliance and how best prepare for these audits. To leave participants with a strong message about recruiting and hiring candidates with disabilities and the value they bring to the workplace, the conference concluded with a keynote presentation by Kathleen Martinez, Assistant Secretary of the US Department of Labor Office of Disability and Employment Policy (ODEP).

Congressman in Wheelchair Presided on ADA Anniversary

The first member of the House of Representatives with quadriplegia presided over the governing body on July 26 in honor of the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2010/07/23/langevin-preside-house/9458/

SSA Recruitment: Commitment to Diversity

The Social Security Administration (SSA) is currently hiring for a variety of nationwide positions. With about 50 percent of its workforce, including 66 percent of supervisors, eligible to retire by 2018 and the expected retirement of over 78 million baby boomers, SSA is facing many human capital challenges. Through this hiring opportunity, SSA will maintain its commitment to diversity, which includes recruiting qualified individuals with disabilities. SSA is headquartered in Baltimore, MD with regional offices in Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Chicago, Kansas City, Dallas, Denver, San Francisco and Seattle.  Nationwide, there are an additional 1,400 field offices, Teleservice Centers, Program Service Centers and Hearings Offices.