January 2011 EARN Newsletter

HAPPY NEW YEAR!  The staff at EARN wishes you a happy, healthy, and prosperous 2011!

INFORMATION YOU CAN USE:

ASSISTANT SECRETARY KATHLEEN MARTINEZ REFLECTS ON SUCCESSES OF 2010

In a recent article at www.diversitybusiness.com, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Disability Employment Policy Kathleen Martinez reflects on the many challenges and achievements employers experienced in 2010.  She writes, “As 2010 draws to a close, business owners are likely assessing their plans and priorities for the year ahead in light of lessons learned over the year past. And while 2010 was without doubt another challenging year for many business owners across America, for those who understand the value diversity adds to an organization, it was also a momentous one.”

MARCH 8TH DEADLINE FOR AGENCIES TO SUBMIT PLANS FOR INCREASING EMPLOYMENT OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

President Obama issued Executive Order (EO) 13548 this past July.  The order directs Executive departments and agencies to improve their efforts to employ Federal workers with disabilities and targeted disabilities through increased recruitment, hiring, and retention o.  Agencies have until March 8, 2011 to submit their plans for increasing employment of people with disabilities.

Click here for more information on EO 13548 and to learn where to submit your required plan.

WORK OPPORTUNITY TAX CREDIT EXTENDED TO 2012

The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) has been extended for individuals who begin employment after August 31, 2011 and before January 1, 2012.  The credit previously was set to expire after August 31, 2011.  WOTC incentives range from one-time credits of up to $2400, to two-year credits of up to $9000 per qualified individual.  According to industry experts, millions of dollars in WOTC credits are unclaimed each year, even though employers are hiring individuals who are eligible for the incentives.

Use the WOTC Calculator to estimate your tax credit savings.

AMERICA HAS TALENT PROJECT BREAKS MOLD FOR FEDERAL RECRUITING

In America Has Talent, a project made possible by Monster Government Solutions, the Partnership for Public Service found and highlighted a group of federal agencies that are making headway on key challenges related to recruiting and hiring for hard-to-fill positions and to attracting special groups.  The publication focuses on veterans, youth, older workers, and people with disabilities.

Click here to download this publication.

WHITE HOUSE DISABILITY GROUP HOSTING MONTHLY CONFERENCE CALLS

The White House Disability Group is hosting monthly calls to provide updates on various disability issues as well as to introduce persons who work on disability issues in the federal government. Their next call will be in February.  To participate in these calls, request to be included in the listserv by sending an email to the White House at http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact.  To join these calls, please dial (800) 230-1093 and select “Disability Call” (instead of code). Click here for live captioning at time of call.

JAN OFFERING WAIT LIST FOR FEDERAL EMPLOYER WEBCAST SERIES

The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) is offering webcasts on a variety of topics for employers in 2011.  While there is currently a waiting list, employers may contact the registration coordinator to be placed on the list.

Visit the JAN website for more information on their 2011 Federal Employer Winter Webcast Series. 

JAN webcasts are uploaded to the JAN website approximately  three days after the live webcast.  If you would like to log on and listen to an archived webinar, click here.

    DID YOU KNOW?…

SENATE CONFIRMS OPENLY GAY CANDIDATE

The U.S. Senate has confirmed the nomination of Chai Feldblum as a commissioner to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).  Feldblum is the first openly gay EEOC commissioner.

Feldblum was among the 15 administration nominees appointed last March by President Barack Obama in his first recess appointments since taking office.  

Click here to read more about Ms. Feldblum’s appointment.

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has more investigators on the ground and has seen an increase in charge filings.  The EEOC’s top priority is systematic discrimination and the agency has enlisted experts to assist with these cases.  The following areas will be targeted:

•    pre-employment screening and selection procedures;
•    Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and practices related to leave and return-from-leave policies;
•    older workers and Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) with a focus on hiring and retirement initiatives.

The EEOC also says it is resolving employee charges much more quickly now than in previous years.

For more information on the EEOC’s progress, click here.

PRESIDENT OBAMA ANNOUNCES NOMINEE TO NATIONAL COUNCIL ON DISABILITY

President Obama has announced his intent to nominate Janice Lehrer-Stein to the National Council on Disability.  Janice Lehrer-Stein, who is legally blind, is a former labor and employment discrimination litigator in Washington, DC and San Francisco, California.

Click here to read more.

NEWS FROM THE OFCCP

The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) has new leadership, as well as money for enforcement.  OFCCP priorities include:
•    recruitment and placement results for individuals with disabilities;
•    greater emphasis on veterans and self-audit;
•    focus on positive outreach, recruitment, and hiring;
•    review of affirmative action plans for substance and actual steps taken.

For more information on the OFCCP, visit www.dol.gov/ofccp/

THE DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT SITUATION:

DECEMBER 2010*

Employment rate of persons ages 16-64 with disabilities: 27.9%
Employment rate of persons ages 16-64 without disabilities: 69.5%
Employment Gap: 41.6%
Commonly Used Terms

*In December 2010, the employment rate of people 16-64 years of age was 27.9% for persons with disabilities compared with 69.5% for persons without a disability. The gap between the employment rate of persons of 16-64 years of age with and without disabilities was 41.6%, not seasonally adjusted.

NDBC IDENTIFIES MEMBER COMPANIES FOR UPDATING THE BUSINESS CASE

The National Business & Disability Council (NBDC) has chosen four companies that have shown outstanding commitment to the employment of persons with disabilities to offer video testimonials for an updated Business Case, which will be posted on the soon to be launched, updated Employee Assistance and Resource Network (EARN) website.  Merck, KPMG, JP Morgan Chase, and Adecco described their initiatives in the areas of innovation, human capital, diversity, and the establishment of disability-focused Employee Resource Groups.

The NBDC, a membership organization of private companies and federal agencies committed to employing people with disabilities is a subcontractor to the National TA Center.

Click here for more information about the NBDC.
Click here to view the current Business Case. 

ODEP PROVIDES TIPS TO HELP EMPLOYEES COMFORTABLY INTERACT WITH CO-WORKERS WITH DISABILITIES

Many employees may not have worked closely with people with disabilities, and may not always be sure of their interactions with them.  Individuals are sometimes concerned that they will say the wrong thing, so they say nothing at all—thus further segregating people with disabilities.

The Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) provides useful tips and relevant information to help human resource professionals ensure that all employees are treated with respect.

Click here to read more tips for comfortable interaction among employees.

NATIONAL EMPLOYMENT INITIATIVE LAUNCHED TO INCREASE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

The Arc and the Institute on Economic Empowerment (IEE) launched an initiative to increase supported employment opportunities for people with developmental disabilities.  “Expanded Employment Choice for Employees with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities” will provide community-based jobs and work settings through individually chosen internship rotations with employers.  The five-year demonstration initiative will engage adult employees with developmental disabilities who are employed at Arc chapters and/or NISH-affiliated nonprofits in traditional facility-based employment.  The initiative is funded by an initial $1 million contribution from the IEE.

NISH is a nonprofit agency that supports the IEE and develops and maintains employment and training opportunities for people with severe disabilities through a program that leverages the buying power of the U.S. government. The Arc provides an array of services and support for families, individuals and approximately 40,000 members affiliated through more than 730 state and local chapters nationwide.

For more information, contact Ann Cameron Caldwell, chief research and innovations officer at The Arc at 202-534-3700 or Caldwell@thearc.org.

10 WAYS TO AVOID GETTING ‘BYTE’ BY SECTION 508

The New EEO Source has compiled a list of 10 ways that companies can limit their exposure based on recommendations from government officials and accessibility experts.  This can be as simple as verifying that your site includes alternative text, or captioning in the case of videos.

Section 508 was enacted to eliminate barriers in information technology, open new opportunities for people with disabilities and encourage development of technologies that help achieve these goals.  The law applies to all federal agencies when they develop, procure — in the case of federal contractors — maintain, or use electronic and information technology. Under Section 508 (29 U.S.C. ‘794 d), agencies must give employees and members of the public with disabilities access to information that is comparable to access available to others.   Experts say that a simple review can identify potential problems that may turn up on an OFCCP audit.

Click here to read the “10 Tips to Minimize Risk.”  Registration is free.

ODEP ANNOUNCES NEW OUTREACH TOOLS

The US Labor Department’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) announced a series of new products through the Campaign for Disability Employment.  The tools accompany the campaign’s “I Can” public service announcement, and are designed to promote the hiring, retention, and advancement of people with disabilities and dispel negative stereotypes about disability and employment.
Two discussion guides, seven posters, and other campaign outreach tools can be downloaded or ordered free of charge through the outreach toolkit on the campaign’s website.  Click here to access downloads.