EARN Newsletter: January 2026

Plus: Accessibility goals for 2026 and “America’s AI Action Plan” information.

EARN in Action

New Guide for Small Businesses: Supporting Employees with Mental Health Conditions and Substance Use Disorder

If you are a small business owner looking to attract and retain talent, reduce turnover, and boost productivity, explore EARN’s new resource: “Small Business Guide for Supporting Employees with Mental Health Conditions or Substance Use Disorder in the Workplace.” This guide outlines seven practical, cost- and resource-effective ways small businesses can support employee mental health and well-being, helping create a healthier, more productive work environment.

Strategies for Fostering a Mental Health-Friendly Workplace in 2026

Kick off 2026 by taking practical steps to support employee mental health and well-being. EARN offers a range of resources for employers, including the “Workplace Mental Health Toolkit.” The toolkit provides tools, information, and actionable guidance built around the “4 As”: awareness, accommodations, assistance, and access. Employers can use these resources to build practical skills, strengthen workplace practices, and create a supportive environment for employees with mental health conditions. Use EARN’s “Checklist for Mentally Healthy Workplaces” to assess your current approach and identify actions you can take all year long to strengthen policies, programs, and practices that promote mental wellness at work.

Webcast Available: Supporting Disabled Veterans in the Workplace

Last month, EARN joined the Job Accommodation Network (JAN) for a webcast on supporting veterans, including those with disabilities, in the workplace. The recording is now available and explores ways employers can strengthen their workforce by recruiting, hiring, retaining, and advancing qualified disabled veterans. The session highlights the business benefits of employing disabled veterans, strategies for building a strong talent pipeline, and guidance on navigating the accommodation process, along with practical insights and resources for employers.

The Latest

Upcoming Webinar: “Unleashing Value and Talent: JAN and EARN Resources for Today’s Workforce”

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) advances career opportunities and economic mobility for Americans with disabilities. A key strategy for doing so is providing practical resources to help employers put policy into practice. A virtual outreach event on February 12, 2026, from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. ET, will highlight such tools from both EARN and ODEP’s Job Accommodation Network (JAN).

Celebrating Value and Talent All Year, Every Year

Throughout American history, people with disabilities have added value and talent to our nation’s workplaces, communities, and economy. A video produced by the U.S. Department of Labor’s ODEP for National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) last October honors the contributions of Americans with disabilities, both past and present, as we celebrate America’s 250^th anniversary in 2026.

Delivering on the Promise of AI for American Workers

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming how we work, across sectors, by powering new technologies that help people learn skills and complete tasks, better and faster. In a recent blog post, Deputy Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling shared how, under “America’s AI Action Plan,” the U.S. Department of Labor is working to ensure AI-powered tools benefit all American workers by enhancing workplace accessibility and complementing jobs, not replacing workers.

Ask EARN

Spotlight

What Can YOU Do? Tools for Raising Awareness About Mental Health in the Workplace

The Campaign for Disability Employment’s (CDE) “Mental Health at Work: What Can I Do?” campaign addresses the role all people in an organization play in promoting workplace well-being. EARN is pleased to have played a role in shaping the campaign’s resources, which include videos, posters, and other materials employers can use to foster dialogue about this important issue in the workplace. Like EARN, the CDE is funded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s ODEP.

EARN is 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 $10,000,000 (five-year total amount).

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.