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ODEP News Release: [07/26/2005]
Contact Name: Peggy Abrahamson or Dirk Fillpot
Phone Number: (202) 693-4676 or x7909
Release Number: 05-1429-NAT

Top Disability Employment Official Participates in 15th Anniversary Celebration of the Americans with Disabilities Act

WASHINGTON—Assistant Secretary Roy Grizzard, head of the Labor Department's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), participated today in a celebration of the 15th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The event, held at the Marriot Metro Center from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., featured workshops focusing on various disability-related issues.

Dr. Grizzard addressed disability employment issues at today's event. He presented key findings from focus groups of employers and employment data among participants of ODEP's customized employment initiatives.

“ODEP will continue to advance the issues that will put more and more people with disabilities into the workforce by listening closely to the sources -- workers with disabilities and the employers who hire them,” said Dr. Grizzard.

A leading authority on disability employment issues, Dr. Grizzard reported on ODEP's efforts, during its first four years of existence, on both the supply and demand sides of the employment equation to enable employers to take advantage of the strengths and skills of individuals with disabilities as a source of reliable, qualified workers.

The seminar in which Dr. Grizzard participated featured leaders of federal agencies in the forefront of disability employment. These experts presented the fundamental and ground-breaking work, policy to practice, they have undertaken to increase the recruiting, hiring, retention and promotion of people with disabilities. Panelists discussed candidate education, preparation and support, in addition to workforce conditions and employer expectations.

ODEP's mission is to develop research-based policy that results in lowering barriers to employment for youth and adults with disabilities.

The ADA, enacted in 1990, prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in the areas of employment, state and local government services, public accommodation, transportation and telecommunications services. For more information about the ADA and other disability-related issues, visit www.Disabilityinfo.gov, a one-stop website for disability-related information and resources. Disabilityinfo.gov is managed by ODEP in collaboration with 16 federal agencies and averages over 3,000 visitors a day.

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