EARN Newsletter: August 2026

Also: a blog marking the ADA’s anniversary.

EARN in Action

Manufacturing Dive Highlights Strategies to Meet Workforce Needs

A recent article in Manufacturing Dive explores how manufacturers can address workforce needs through skills-based hiring, talent retention, and upskilling, including strategies to attract and retain workers with disabilities. The article draws from EARN’s July webinar, “Strengthening the Manufacturing Industry: Recruit, Re-Train, and Retain Valuable Workforce Talent,” featuring Jordan Morang, director of workforce innovation and policy at the Manufacturing Institute.

Engaging with Employers at Disability:IN

EARN joined the Job Accommodation Network (JAN) at the Disability:IN 2026 Global Conference and Expo in Dallas last month to connect with business leaders and share resources. This annual event brings together employers committed to advancing accessibility and hiring disabled workers across their organizations. EARN and JAN shared recent research and practical resources to support attendees’ talent recruitment and retention efforts.

Strategies to Strengthen the Manufacturing Workforce: Webinar Recording

Last month, EARN hosted the Industry Spotlight webinar, “Strengthening the Manufacturing Industry: Recruit, Re-Train, and Retain Valuable Workforce Talent.” During the session, EARN’s Ellice Switzer and Jordan Morang, director of workforce innovation and policy at the Manufacturing Institute, discussed emerging trends and practical strategies to help manufacturers strengthen retention, support employee development, and broaden recruitment pipelines. A recording is now available.

In the News

The ADA: Expanding the American Dream for All

July holds more than one landmark American anniversary. This summer, as our country continued to celebrate its 250^th birthday, another “independence day”—the 36^th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on July 26—offered further opportunity to reflect on the freedoms and opportunities that define our nation. In a recent blog post, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Disability Employment Policy Julie Hocker talks about what the ADA means to her and why she strives every day to deliver on its promise and ensure that disabled Americans can train for and succeed in skilled, in-demand jobs.

Spotlight

Supporting Workers After Injury or Illness: Hot Topic at DMEC!

Earlier this month, both EARN and its funding agency, the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), joined accommodation and leave management professionals from across the United States at the Disability Management Employer Coalition (DMEC) Annual Conference in Nashville. During a fireside chat at the conference, ODEP Assistant Secretary Julie Hocker and DMEC CEO Bryon Bass discussed effective strategies for supporting workers after injury or illness. EARN Principal Investigator Susanne Bruyère presented findings from EARN’s research on employer mental health policies and practices.

EARN is fully funded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy under Cooperative Agreement No. 23475OD000002-01-00 with Cornell University's Yang-Tan Institute on Employment and Disability, in the amount of $11,000,000.

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.