EARN Newsletter: November 2024

EARN in Action

Promoting Inclusive Hiring

“Inclusive hiring” means that at every stage of the hiring process, disabled people have equitable access. While inclusive hiring benefits people with disabilities, it is also great for business, because it widens the pool of potential talent. Employers committed to disability inclusion create welcoming workplaces that lead to long-term business success. Commit to disability inclusion and inclusive hiring in 2025 and follow EARN to learn how your business can amplify its efforts!

Advancing Inclusive Apprenticeships

People with disabilities should have equal access to all career pathways, including apprenticeships. EARN’s new “Inclusive Apprenticeships” online training course—launched in honor of National Apprenticeship Week November 17-24, 2024—helps employers ensure their programs are inclusive and accessible to people with disabilities across three phases of the apprenticeship lifecycle.

Observing National Family Caregivers Month

Observed every November, National Family Caregivers Month (NFCM) recognizes and honors family caregivers across the country. Families are the primary source of support for older adults and people with disabilities in the United States and, as a result, may experience conflicts due to competing responsibilities. EARN’s “Caregiving and Workplace Flexibility” issue brief offers strategies for employers to implement flexible workplace policies that support employees who are also family caregivers.

Commemorating Disabled Veterans

This month, EARN honors both Veterans Day and Military Family Month by recognizing the valuable contributions veterans with disabilities bring to America’s workforce. Veterans offer organizations of all sizes and in all industries a source of qualified, committed talent with transferable skills proven in real-world situations. EARN’s “Disabled Veterans” webpage provides employers with information, resources, and answers to common questions about employing veterans with disabilities.

Disability Employment in the News

Honoring Native American Heritage Month

November is National Native American Heritage Month. In honor of this, the Sac and Fox Nation, in collaboration with the Association of American Indian Physicians (AAIP), launched an awareness campaign to encourage tribal members to seek help when facing mental health challenges. Find resources, learn about 988 Mental Health Lifeline’s Tribal Response service, and more in these spotlights.

Celebrating National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) 2024

EARN celebrated the 10th annual National Apprenticeship Week (NAW), a nationwide celebration showcasing the successes and value of Registered Apprenticeships (RA) for all workers, including workers with disabilities. In honor of NAW’s 10th anniversary, this year’s theme was “10 Years of Engagement, Expansion, and Innovation.” Learn more about NAW and how organizations celebrated this year!

Discussing Disability Matters

On October 29, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Disability Employment Policy Taryn Williams was the featured guest on Disability Matters with Joyce Bender, an internet radio program produced by VoiceAmerica. During the interview, Williams discussed the U.S. Department of Labor’s efforts to improve employment opportunities and outcomes for people with disabilities and ways to deliver on this year’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) theme, “Access to Good Jobs for All.”

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Employer Spotlight

LeAndre Yarrell: How Partnerships and Mentorships Lead to Success

After LeAndre Yarrell retired from the U.S. Army and earned a college degree, he began to look for employment. His university connected him to programs that partner with several employer-sponsored internships, trainings, and other opportunities. Through these partnerships, Yarrell met his long-time mentor who helped him embrace his disability, grow his professional network, and eventually secure a successful career at Northrop Grumman.

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.