EARN Newsletter: July 2026
EARN at SHRM, the Industry Spotlight Webinar Series Continues, and the 2026 NDEAM Poster Is Here!
Plus: 36 years of the ADA and construction workforce strategies.
EARN in Action
Webinar: Industry Spotlight on Tech
EARN’s Industry Spotlight webinar series continues next month with “The Future of Tech Talent: Expanding Opportunity Through Disability Employment.” Join us on August 19, from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. ET, for a discussion exploring today’s technology workforce landscape and practical strategies for strengthening talent pipelines through apprenticeship, skills-based hiring, career development, and disability employment.
Success at the SHRM Conference
In June, EARN participated in a panel at the Society for Human Resource Management’s (SHRM) annual conference in Orlando, Florida. Facilitated by Assistant Secretary of Labor for Disability Employment Policy Julie Hocker, the session highlighted evidence-based strategies employers can use to help workers stay at work or return as soon as possible after an injury or illness. In addition to EARN’s Ellice Switzer, panelists included Bryon Bass, CEO of the Disability Management Employer Coalition, and Laura McCormick, director of employee health and leave programs at Baystate Health.
ADA Anniversary: Learn More About the Law
This month marks the 36th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). President George H.W. Bush signed this landmark legislation on July 26, 1990, a day he called “another independence day,” and opened doors of opportunity for millions of disabled Americans across all aspects of daily life, from education to civic participation and employment. In addition to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of disability, the ADA requires covered employers to provide reasonable accommodations for qualified disabled applicants and employees, unless doing so would impose an undue hardship on their business operations.
In Case You Missed It
A Focus on the Construction Industry Workforce
Earlier this month, EARN hosted the Industry Spotlight webinar “Building a Stronger Construction Industry: Recruitment, Retention, and Workforce Stability.” During the session, EARN’s Ellice Switzer spoke with Brandon Anderson, vice president of safety at the Associated General Contractors of Missouri, about trends and strategies that construction employers can use to build a supportive workplace culture, strengthen the workforce, and keep valued talent. The recording is coming very soon!
In the News
NCSL Podcast: Mental Health in the Workplace
On a recent episode of its “Our American States” podcast, the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) welcomed Assistant Secretary of Labor for Disability Employment Policy Julie Hocker and Michigan Representative Curtis VanderWall to discuss behavioral and mental health in the workplace. The conversation centered on the important role employers and legislators can play in supporting workers with mental health conditions and the positive impact such support can have on individuals, organizations, and local and state economies.
Spotlight
The 2026 NDEAM Poster Is Now Available!
National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) takes place in October, but planning starts well before. To help, the 2026 poster is now available! This year’s theme, “Celebrating Value and Talent,” carries the spirit of last year’s celebration forward in honor of America’s 250th birthday. Employers are encouraged to launch their NDEAM activities as soon as possible, and ordering a poster is a great first step. The 2026 poster is available in three colors as well as a customizable format that allows organizations to insert their name or logo and different photos if desired.
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.
“Work doesn’t happen when recovery is over. Work is recovery,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Disability Employment Policy Julie Hocker (far left), citing the success of stay-at-work/return-to-work strategies used in her agency's Retaining Employment and Talent After Injury/Illness Network demonstration project.
Stay Informed
EARN makes it easy to stay up-to-date on disability employment news and information. Subscribe to our monthly e-newsletter and periodic alerts to learn about upcoming events, the latest research, and promising practices in disability employment. Also don’t forget to follow EARN on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.