News Archives

This free Webinar will take place September 10, 2008 from 2:00-3:15 p.m. ET. It will help transportation providers, state and local level planners, members of transportation planning collaborates and potential funders of voucher systems learn more about transportation vouchers, how they work and how to make these programs successful.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has issued two new question-and-answer (Q&A) guides providing technical assistance for employers and veterans on workplace issues affecting veterans with service-connected disabilities.

Join us for the next TARGET Discovery Series on Wednesday, August 13, 2008 at 1:00 pm. Learn how Dolphin delivers magnification, speech and Braille access to mainstream Microsoft Windows applications through the use of Lunar, LunarPlus, Hal and SuperNova. Attend in person in Washington, DC or live online.

Webinar will take place July 22, 2008 from 1:00 - 2:30 P.M. CST. It will address how the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) provides protections to people who may not have a current ADA defined disability, and provide employers with information that will help them to avoid pitfalls that may be encountered when navigating this often overlooked area of the law.

The National Council on Disability (NCD) is gathering public input for a study of emerging issues and trends affecting the lives of people with disabilities. Information gathered will be used in the development of NCD's next annual progress report to the President and Congress. The Council is seeking input on disability issues including health, housing, employment, insurance, transportation, assistive technology, recreation, emergency preparedness, early intervention and education. Suggestions should be sent to NCD by July 22, 2008 via email - type "Emerging Trends" in the subject line.

The Social Security Administration issued final rules designed to improve the Ticket to Work program. The changes will improve the effectiveness of the Ticket program in helping beneficiaries with disabilities who want to return to work.

Workforce Innovations is the premier annual conference promoting collaboration among leaders from workforce development, business, economic development, education, community-based organizations and philanthropy. This year's conference will be held from July 15-17, 2008 in New Orleans.

This year's ASPE conference will take place from July 9-11, 2008 in Louisville, KY. The conference is exclusively focused on employment of people with significant disabilities in the community, and is the forum for sharing knowledge and expertise on the latest developments and innovations in the field with APSE members from across the country.

Part 1: Assisting Individuals to Prepare for an Emergency will take place on Monday, June 23, 2008 from 3:00 PM EDT - 4:30 PM EDT. Part II: Preparing Your Organization for an Emergency will take place on Wednesday, June 25, 2008 from 3:00 PM EDT - 4:30 PM EDT.

U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao called upon nonprofit organizations, small businesses, corporations and individuals to submit entries for the 2008 Secretary of Labor's New Freedom Initiative Award. The deadline for receipt of nominations was May 30, 2008. Information on eligibility criteria and application procedures may be downloaded here.

HHS held a career fair for people with disabilities on May 29, 2008 at the Hubert H. Humphrey building in Washington, DC. Document is in .pdf format.

Meeting took place May 8-9, 2008 and showcased best practices in home- and community-based direct service (HCBS) workforce development, and highlighted Federal and state workforce initiatives.

The conference took place April 19-23 and brought together state directors of vocational rehabilitation to network, attend training sessions and discuss the latest news related to vocational rehabilitation.

Webcast held on April 8, 2008 addressed secondary issues of mental illness that impact employment, and give specific strategies for providers to use to assist individuals in finding and keeping employment.

Webcast held on March 18, 2008 provided information on why it is important to build partnerships with businesses in the community.

Report issued on January 15, 2008 by the National Council on Disability (NCD) that examines employment, housing, education, transportation and other federal policies that affect people with disabilities.

The Interagency Subcommittee on Employment of the Interagency Committee on Disability Research (ICDR) provided an opportunity for researchers and business leaders, as well as service providers, policy-makers and advocates, to come together at the Employer Perspectives on Workers with Disabilities: A National Summit to Develop a Research Agenda. Document is in Word format, and is also available in .pdf format.

This annual training conference, which is co-sponsored by 8 federal agencies and chaired by the Office of Disability Employment Policy, brings together federal EEO officials and personnel representatives who deal with issues that affect the employment of people with disabilities within the federal government. The 2007 conference was held December 5-7 in Bethesda, MD.

October 2007 news release announcing that the Corporation for National and Community Service is a DisabilityInfo.gov partner.

The Secretary of Labor's New Freedom Initiative Award recognizes non-profits, small businesses, corporations and individuals that have demonstrated exemplary and innovative efforts in furthering the employment and workplace environment for people with disabilities. On October 24, Secretary Elaine L. Chao presented the 2007 awards to six honorees at the JW Marriott Hotel in Washington, DC.

DOL's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) has announced the availability of up to $2.35 million to fund a single cooperative agreement to establish a National Technical Assistance and Research Center to Promote Leadership for Increasing Employment and Economic Independence for Adults with Disabilities. Application deadline: August 20, 2007. The full announcement may be downloaded here.

Announced in February, 2001, the New Freedom Initiative is President George W. Bush's plan to tear down barriers to full integration into American life that remain for many of the 54 million Americans with disabilities. This report highlights the accomplishments of the Administration in implementing the President's vision and builds upon the reports issued in May 2002 and May 2004.

In July 2007, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that thousands of disabled farmers in 21 states will have access to education and assistance to continue farming through the funding of more than $3.7 million in "AgrAbility" projects.

Throughout October, during National Disability Employment Awareness Month, the Office of Disability Employment Policy profiled individuals who have personally benefited from agency-sponsored programs aimed at eliminating the chronic underemployment of people with disabilities, as well as employers and organizations that have hired, supported and empowered employees with disabilities. Read all the profiles by visiting this link.

Held October 14-20, the purpose of Drug-Free Work Week is to educate employers, employees and the general public about the importance of being drug-free as an essential component of a safe and healthful workplace.

The Ticket to Work program provides beneficiaries with disabilities expanded options for access to employment, vocational rehabilitation, and other support services. The Social Security Administration (SSA) is proposing revisions to its current Ticket to Work program rules to simplify and improve the definition of using a ticket and requirements for measuring timely progress toward self-supporting employment. Deadline for comments: October 12, 2007.

NCD highlighted National Disability Employment Awareness Month by releasing its report, Empowerment for Americans with Disabilities: Breaking Barriers to Careers and Full Employment, at a news conference and panel discussion on October 1, 2007.

The 2007 conference was held September 23-26. This conference is a national event for business, community leaders and BLN chapters that have an interest in hiring, retention and marketing to people with disabilities.

The White House Internship Program provides a unique opportunity to learn more about the daily operations of the White House. In addition to normal office duties, interns attend weekly lectures, volunteer at special events, participate in tours and contribute to a community service project in the Washington, DC area. Application Deadline for Fall 2007: June 26, 2007.