The ODEP Alliance Initiative
The Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) works with the public to promote positive disability workplace and employment strategies, policies and practices by offering technical assistance and research based model programs to employers, employees, organizations, and government agencies. This technical assistance and the model programs help organizations work collaboratively with the Agency and meet the spirit of both the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and the President's New Freedom Initiative.
In 2007, ODEP created the Alliance Initiative. This cooperative program enables organizations committed to improving disability workplace practices to work with ODEP to develop and implement model policies and initiatives that increase recruiting, hiring, advancing, and retaining workers with disabilities. ODEP and Alliance participants work together to reach out to, educate, and lead the nation's employers, employees and organizations in advancing disability employment. Groups that can form an Alliance with ODEP include trade and professional associations, businesses, labor unions, educational institutions, Federal, state and local government agencies and others.
Benefits of an Alliance
There are many benefits to participating in an Alliance with ODEP. The agreements, which are in effect for two years, help organizations to:
- Network with others committed to increasing disability employment.
- Leverage resources to maximize workplace disability practices.
- Gain recognition as proactive leaders in disability employment.
Organizations may be cooperating with ODEP for the first time, or they may be continuing existing relationships with the Agency established through other cooperative programs.
Getting Started
The Alliance Initiative supports ODEP's Strategic Management Plan by addressing emerging issues and the Agency's priorities. There are few formal program requirements for Alliances, and the agreements do not include an enforcement component. However, ODEP and the participating organizations must define, implement and meet a set of short and long-term goals that fall into three categories:
- Training and Education, such as developing training and education programs aimed at improving disability work place policies and strategies.
- Outreach and Communication, such as using multiple communication methods and vehicles to share the most up-to-date information on various issues related to disability employment, such as sources and resources on accommodations, effective practices, youth mentoring, and tax credits, for example.
- Promoting a national dialogue on disability employment by sharing data on disability employment, participating in various forums and groups to discuss ways of improving disability employment, and demonstrating the effectiveness of disability employment strategies and policies.
Alliance Implementation
ODEP and the Alliance participants form implementation teams. The teams, consisting of representatives from ODEP and the organizations, are responsible for developing strategies and implementing programs or processes that meet the defined goals.
Products and Activities
Alliances may develop a number of products and undertake many activities, including:
- Assisting ODEP in developing and disseminating training and education materials;
- Assisting ODEP in Outreach and Communication with the news media and at conferences and trade shows;
- Assisting ODEP in technical assistance activities including identifying, documenting and disseminating effective disability employment policies and practices.
Information
For national Alliances, contact ODEP's Education and Outreach Division at 202-693-7880. Visit ODEP's website at www.dol.gov/odep for more information about the Alliance Initiative.
