Obama announces changes in employment for disabled

President Obama announced that his administration is taking several steps to ensure there is fair and equal access to employment, particularly for the 54 million people in this country living with disabilities.

The announcement, issued on Oct. 5, came during National Disability Employment Awareness month.

"My administration is committed to ensuring that all Americans have the chance to fulfill their potential and contribute to our nation," President Obama said. "Across this country, millions of people with disabilities are working or want to work, and they should have access to the support and services they need to succeed.”

The president said the federal government, as the nation’s largest employer, and its contractors, can lead the way by implementing effective employment policies and practices that increase opportunities and help workers achieve their full potential.

“We must also rededicate ourselves to fostering an inclusive work culture that welcomes the skills and talents of all qualified employees. That’s why I’ve asked the responsible agencies to develop new plans and policies to help increase employment across America for people with disabilities.”

The following are some of the steps the Obama administration will take:

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) will collaborate to sponsor and organize a day long federal government-wide job fair for people with disabilities. The fair will take place in early spring 2010.

In addition to the job fair, the OPM, the ODEP, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), and the Department of Defense's Office on Computer and Electronic Accommodations Program (CAP), will provide workshops throughout the day on a variety of topics including the schedule A hiring waiver and the right to the provision of reasonable accommodations including information on assistive and communications technology.

OPM will develop training on schedule A for federal human resources specialists, hiring managers and selective placement coordinators that will be easily accessible. It will include on line training.

EEOC and the Department of Justice's Civil Rights division will hold four town hall meetings throughout the nation to share information about the ADA Amendments Act proposed regulations and to gather comments on them. All town hall meetings will consist of two sessions: one for disability advocates and one for the employer community. These sessions will be completed by Nov. 20. The four locations are Philadelphia, Chicago, San Francisco, and New Orleans.

The Department of Justice will release a video that will identify and respond to a number of common myths held by employers about workers with disabilities.
OPM will create and lead a task force comprised of representatives from key federal departments and agencies that have developed and implemented model practices for recruiting, retaining and advancing employees with disabilities.

The task force will report on the innovative practices agencies use to encourage the employment of individuals with disabilities.

The report will identify and promote successful practices for conducting outreach, recruiting, hiring qualified candidates, successful accommodations, and providing opportunities for career advancement at all levels.