November 2, 2017
In this Issue: Inclusive Apprenticeship Programs, Evaluation Tools and more!
WHAT'S NEW
Apprenticeship Works for Inclusion
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy recently published a new guide on disability-inclusive apprenticeship, titled “Apprenticeship Works for Business: A Guide to Building Inclusive Workplaces.” The guide is part of a series that introduces employers, young people, educators and service providers to the benefits and opportunities of apprenticeship programs for underrepresented groups, including people with disabilities. Combining classroom instruction with on-the-job training, apprenticeship programs help bridge skills gaps and bring new and more diverse talent into the workplace. Read the guide.
Disability Equality Index
Registration for the 2018 Disability Equality Index® (DEI) is now underway. Sponsored by the American Association of People with Disabilities and the U.S. Business Leadership Network, an EARN partner, this confidential benchmarking tool offers employers an opportunity to receive an objective rating on their disability inclusion policies and practices. Companies that score 80 percent or higher are named “DEI Best Places to Work.” The deadline to register is January 12, 2018; registered companies will then receive access to the survey the week of January 22, 2018 to begin submission of responses. Learn more about the DEI.
Disability Employment Tracker
The 2018 Disability Employment Tracker™ is now open! Sponsored by the National Organization on Disability (NOD), this tool provides companies a confidential assessment of their disability inclusion policies and practices, providing tailored reports in four areas. Completion is required to be considered for DiversityInc’s annual list of Top 10 Companies for People with Disabilities, and top scorers have the opportunity to earn an “NOD Leading Disability Employer Seal.” The deadline to submit is March 1, 2018. Learn more about the Tracker.
Video Highlights Unconscious Bias
Employers may be missing out on the skills and talents of people with disabilities because of assumptions and stereotypes that they aren’t even aware of that can impact their hiring decisions. Now, a new video from the U.S. Business Leadership Network, an EARN partner, helps employers understand how such “unconscious bias” may affect the way they select employees. The video highlights the efforts of companies such as EY and Kaiser Permanente to identify, and challenge, their own assumptions in order to discover the positive impact hiring people with disabilities can have. Watch the video.
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ASKEARN.ORG SPOTLIGHT
Inclusion@Work
EARN’s new website feature, Inclusion@Work: A Framework for Building a Disability-Inclusive Organization, outlines seven core components of a disability-inclusive workplace, along with strategies for achieving each of them. Inclusion@Work was developed with input from a range of employers with exemplary track records in disability employment, and in collaboration with EARN’s funding entity, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Tuesday, November 14, 2:00 p.m. ET
Webcast: Give Us Your Challenging, Your Bewildering, Your Unusual ADA Issues
This Job Accommodation Network (JAN) webcast will be an open forum to discuss a variety of issues related to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and employment. Participants will have the opportunity to submit their questions in advance and have them addressed during the session. The discussion will also include trending ADA topics and answers to the most challenging questions that JAN receives. Learn more about JAN webcasts.
Thursday, November 16, 2:00 p.m. ET
Webinar: Creative Recruiting Strategies for the Digital Age
PEAT Talks is a monthly virtual speaker series showcasing organizations and individuals who are advancing accessible technology in the workplace. This month, Jessica Miller-Merrell of Xceptional HR Consulting will discuss how recruiters and HR professional can maximize their digital recruiting options by using strategies that reach all job candidates, including those with disabilities. Register for the PEAT Talk.
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EMPLOYER SPOTLIGHT
TIAA Fruits of Employment Initiative
EARN recently published a new Employer Success Story about TIAA’s Fruits of Employment (FoE) initiative. To meet the staffing needs of its farmland investments, TIAA forged a partnership to encourage and facilitate the recruitment and hiring of people with disabilities to work on custom-farmed properties. Since its inception, the FoE initiative has grown to include six locations and more than 30 full-time workers.
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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.