EARN Newsletter: August 2024

EARN in Action

Helping Workers with Disabilities Get Ahead Through Good Jobs

This toolkit developed by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) provides strategies and best practices to recruit, hire, retain, and advance workers with disabilities in good jobs in construction, manufacturing, and clean energy. Employers can use DOL’s “Helping Workers with Disabilities Get Ahead Through Good Jobs: A Toolkit of Practical Strategies” to build equitable pathways to good jobs in these industries. In addition to a menu of resources and practical strategies, the toolkit offers examples from government agencies and other entities.

Becoming a Model Employer for People with Disabilities

State governments are often the largest employer in many communities. They play a critical role in advancing workforce diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) across the U.S. Ensuring state governments maintain equitable hiring and advancement practices has many benefits, including the ability to tap into talent with disabilities, an underutilized applicant pool. EARN partnered with DOL’s State Exchange on Employment & Disability (SEED) to offer state governments resources on how to serve as a model employer.

Supporting Black Businesses in Building Disability-Inclusive Workforces

August is National Black Business Month! EARN partnered with the U.S. Black Chambers, a member of the Inclusion@Work Leadership Council, to host a dynamic conversation titled “Building Black Business Success Through Disability Hiring.” This important discussion explored how Black business owners can hire people with disabilities and why doing so can help meet their unique business needs. Check out the webinar recording to learn about the diverse talents people with disabilities bring to the workplace, the simple steps you can take to make your hiring practices more inclusive, and the resources available to support you along the way.

Disability Employment in the News

Breaking the Silence Surrounding Minority Mental Health

In July we celebrated Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. In its latest blog post, DOL’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) raised awareness about protections for job-based mental health and substance use disorder benefits. EBSA also encouraged everyone, particularly those in underserved communities, to break the silence about mental health and spark action and support from others when they need help.

Accommodating Workers with Long COVID

People with Long COVID, which may qualify as a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), can request reasonable accommodations from their employers so they can continue to work while managing their symptoms. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission created a short, shareable video with key information.

Celebrating Access to Good Jobs for All

While National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) takes place annually in October, planning for it gets started well before. The official 2024 poster is now available! Highlighting this year’s theme, Access to Good Jobs for All, the 2024 NDEAM poster is a great way to display a commitment to workplace disability inclusion, every month of the year. The poster is available in both English and Spanish on DOL’s NDEAM webpage. While there, you can also find other resources and ideas for planning NDEAM events and celebrations.

Ask EARN

Employer Spotlight

Writing Her Own Story

Dr. Julie Meade has several disabilities, including learning disabilities, ADHD, a speech impediment, autoimmune thyroiditis, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, and narcolepsy. With these disabilities, she excelled academically, earning honors from Vassar and a Ph.D. from Virgina Commonwealth University (VCU). Her career breakthrough came through Disability:IN’s NextGen Leaders Initiatives, which led to a role at the pharmaceutical company Bristol-Myers Squibb. Julie, who is now a scientific writer at the company, advocates for workplace accommodations and inclusivity, highlighting the importance of open environments and support for employees with disabilities. Her journey showcases the power of mentorship, self-advocacy, and inclusive corporate culture.

The content in this newsletter does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. Department of Labor, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.