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ODEP News Release: [07/26/2007]
Contact Name: Jennifer Kaplan or Richard Manning
Phone Number: (202) 693-5052 or x4676
Release Number: 07-1130-NAT

U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao recognizes 17th anniversary of Americans with Disabilities Act

Labor Department offers small businesses tool to aid in hiring of people with disabilities

WASHINGTON — Marking the 17th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao today announced that the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) will make available a new video on how small businesses can save time and money, and increase productivity, by recruiting, hiring and advancing employees with disabilities. The presentation features a recent roundtable of small business owners discussing how their leadership, commitment, proactive efforts and innovative practices have yielded returns on their human capital investments. The video is available on the agency's Web site at www.dol.gov/odep.

"This year, we are celebrating the 17th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. While much progress has been made in the last 17 years, still more needs to be done to help workers with disabilities be fully recognized as integral members of our workforce," said Secretary Chao. "To help Americans with disabilities access greater opportunities in our workplaces, this video promotes the fact that recruiting workers with disabilities is a smart business strategy."

ODEP is the nation's first assistant secretary-led office that specifically addresses policies that impact the employment of people with disabilities. For example, ODEP has developed methods for the 3,500 One-Stop Career Centers nationwide to serve people with barriers to employment, including individuals with disabilities. In collaboration with the Department's Employment and Training Administration and the Civil Rights Center, ODEP developed a disability checklist to assist with implementation of Section 188 of the Workforce Investment Act at the local level.