U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Printer-Friendly Version

Office of Public Affairs

OPA Press Release: Labor Secretary Chao Launches EARN Program
New Service Will Assist Employers in Hiring Americans with Disabilities[03/29/2001]

Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao today announced the creation of the Employment Assistance Referral Network (EARN), a national toll-free telephone and electronic information referral service for employers who are seeking to hire workers with disabilities.

"As Secretary of Labor, I have made a commitment to all workers, including workers with disabilities," Chao said. "EARN will offer a tremendous opportunity for potential employers to connect with candidates with disabilities. It will benefit employers, employees and the entire American workforce."

EARN is designed to assist employers in locating potential employees with disabilities in their own geographic area. An employer seeking to fill a specific position may contact EARN with the job specifications. EARN staff will then search a database of local employment providers who may have appropriate job candidates with disabilities and send that information back to the employer. The employer can then follow up directly with the service provider in order to connect with the applicants.

EARN also offers employers technical assistance. Any subject related to the employment of people with disabilities -- such as co-worker attitudes, tax credits, personal assistance services, disability laws, return-to-work strategies, job interviewing techniques, and recruitment and hiring strategies -- can be addressed by EARN staff.

To contact EARN, call 1-888-695-8289, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. EST. EARN may also be accessed via its Website: www.earnworks.com.