NOD Leading Disability Employer Seal Winners Earlier this month, the National Organization on Disability (NOD) released its 2016 list of Leading Disability Employer Seal Winners. Bestowed annually, this designation applauds organizations that are leading the way in disability hiring and encourages more companies to tap into the many benefits of inclusive employment practices, including increased productivity and dedication and greater employee engagement across the workforce. The results are based on data provided by companies in response to NOD’s Disability Employment Tracker™.
Circling to Discuss Disability Inclusion On June 16, the “Circle” – a group of companies noted for their commitment to disability inclusion – met at U.S. Business Leadership Network (USBLN) headquarters in Alexandria, Va. On the agenda was accessibility and recruiting in the digital age, with presentations by both the U.S. Access Board and the Partnership for Employment and Accessible Technology and a robust discussion about accessible technology across the employment lifecycle. USBLN is a national non-profit dedicated to increasing disability inclusion across the business enterprise; it convenes the Circle as part of its partnership in EARN.
OPM Proposed Rule for “Disabled Veteran Leave” On June 6, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to implement the Wounded Warriors Federal Leave Act of 2015, which establishes a new leave category for federal employees known as “disabled veteran leave.” Under the proposed rule, this type of leave would be available for use by any federal employee who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rated at 30 percent or more. Public comments regarding the proposed rule must be received by July 6.
Get Social with the Campaign for Disability Employment! Employers interested in learning more about disability and employment issues are encouraged to check out the Campaign for Disability Employment (CDE), a multifaceted outreach campaign funded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy and supported by several leading business and disability organizations. The CDE focuses on positive imagery and messages centered around the core message that “at work, it’s what people CAN do that matters.”
Talent Matters: Fostering Disability-Inclusive Outreach and Recruitment Strategies
June 30, 2016, 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. ET
WEBINAR
Have you partnered with, or perhaps considered partnering with, disability service providers to recruit talent for your company? If you have questions about how this process works, this webinar will provide insight. Employers will discuss how such partnerships can be leveraged to both increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities and meet individual businesses’ unique workforce needs.
Promoting Inclusive Career Pathways
June 30, 2016, 3:00-4:00 P.M. ET
Twitter Chat
The LEAD Center will host its inaugural Twitter chat on June 30, which will focus on strategies and practices to promote the inclusion of people with disabilities, and others who face barriers to employment, in career pathways initiatives.
Emphasis on Wage Requirements Under Section 14(c) of the FLSA
Multiple Dates and Locations
Seminars
Throughout the summer in various cities nationwide, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division is offering free seminars to assist employers and community rehabilitation programs (CRPs) in complying with section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). There is no fee to attend these conferences; however, space is limited, so early registration is encouraged.
The Ford Motor Company recently announced the launch of a pilot program, “FordInclusiveWorks,” to tap into the talents of and provide work experience opportunities for people on the autism spectrum. Through the initiative, the company will establish five new product development positions specifically “created to suit the skills and capabilities of people with autism.” Following successful completion of the program, participants will be given the chance to go through Ford’s standard employee recruitment process.
June is National Safety Month – and an opportune time for employers to refresh their knowledge on how Occupational Safety and Health Administration requirements can intersect with disability non-discrimination requirements, particularly related to pre-employment screenings, the physical environment and issues of confidentiality. To help employers understand when there is overlap, AskEARN.org’s ADA & Workplace Safety webpage provides explanations and examples.
The Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability Inclusion (EARN) is a resource for employers seeking to recruit, hire, retain and advance qualified employees with disabilities. It 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.
