In Focus
"Workers with Disabilities: Talent for a Winning Team" - May 2008
Isaac V: Finding Employment and Housing
Isaac found familiarity with a job in the kitchen of an El Salvadorian restaurant, where he worked for several years and leased an apartment with some friends. Lay-offs at the restaurant affected several employees, including Isaac, causing his mental health problems to resurface into a downward spiral that resulted in his use of alcohol and drugs, and finally homelessness after losing his apartment.
Assistant Secretary Neil Romano speaks about the Workforce Recruitment Program on Federal News Radio and DisabilityNewsRadio.com
On April 9, Federal New Radio’s Daily Debrief host Amy Morris spoke with Mr. Romano about the Workforce Recruitment Program. You have the choice of listening to the interview in either the MP3 or WMA format here.
Also on April 9, DisabilityNewsRadio.com’s Monica Moshenko spoke with Mr. Romano about the WRP and ODEP. You have the choice of listening to the interview in either the MP3 or XML Podcast here.
If you are a private sector employer and wish to participate in the WRP, click here.
ODEP's Universal Design and Universal Strategies explained
Good customer service means providing a welcoming environment, respectful treatment and needed information. Universal Design provides an important toolset for companies seeking to provide these advantages for their customers and for their employees, who also want to feel welcome and respected, and who require adequate and timely information to do their jobs.
Employers May Access more than 1,700 Job Candidates with Disabilities through the Workforce Recruitment Program
Employers nationwide now have access to a free database of 1,769 new job candidates with disabilities seeking work in a wide variety of fields. Federal employers can tap into this ongoing recruitment resource online, and private sector, other government and nonprofit employers can request unlimited searches by calling a toll-free telephone number.
"Finding and retaining qualified workers is vital to all employers," said Karen M. Czarnecki, acting assistant secretary of labor for disability employment policy. "The Workforce Recruitment Program serves as a pipeline for organizations to hire workers in summer jobs, train and evaluate them, and then transition them into permanent positions when they graduate from college."
ODEP Policy and Programs Play a Major Role in Interagency Taskforce on Aging Workforce Strategies
The Report of the Taskforce on the Aging of the American Workforce was released on February 11, 2008, by the Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration (ETA). ODEP participated in the taskforce as the “voice” of disability employment policy related to mature workers. The report includes ODEP’s evidence-based Customized Employment strategies, recognizing that these strategies have universal applicability to many segments of the workforce. In addition, the report recommends the Job Accommodation Network (JAN), an ODEP-funded-service on making workplace accommodations, as a resource for employers who want to recruit and retain older workers (who may develop limitations or disabilities as they age).
More information on the Taskforce
U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao Calls for 2008 New Freedom Initiative Award Nominations
U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao has called upon nonprofit organizations, small businesses, corporations and individuals that have demonstrated exemplary and innovative efforts in advancing the employment and workplace environment of people with disabilities to submit entries for the 2008 Secretary of Labor’s New Freedom Initiative Award.
"The New Freedom Initiative Award celebrates innovative efforts to advance accessibility to the workplace for Americans with disabilities," said Secretary Chao. "The New Freedom Initiative Awards ceremony is an opportunity to showcase worthy organizations that are welcoming Americans with disabilities into the workplace."
Criteria for the award and details for the submission of entries are available in the January 29, 2008 issue of the Federal Register.
New High School/High Tech Guide Reflects Nationwide Programs
A new High School/High Tech (HS/HT) Program Guide, produced by ODEP and the National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability, reflects effective practices nationwide. The guide includes information on lessons learned as HS/HT has evolved from a locally-administered to a state-administered national program model based upon the Guidepost to Success. It also includes information and materials used by HS/HT programs throughout the United States.
As HS/HT has matured, ODEP has seen more and more students have positive experiences as they transition from school to work. One such success is Tim S., who interned last summer at a CVS store in Orlando as part of the Orange County Public Schools’ HS/HT program. Tim has continued working part-time at CVS while completing his senior year in high school, and has developed new skills, which include learning to use touch screens to make sales and count inventory. His supervisor describes him as a “great employee.”
HS/HT provides students with disabilities opportunities to explore careers in science, mathematics and technology and gain the type of education needed to succeed in today’s technology-driven workplace. The HS/HT Guide is useful to existing HS/HT programs as well as to anyone interested in starting a HS/HT program or other comprehensive transition program for youth.
