News Archives

Disability Policy Seminar explored the unique challenges and opportunities facing the new 111th Congress and Obama Administration brought about by the 2008 election results and the economic crisis. Conference took place April 27-29, 2009 in Washington, DC.

Online audio conference presented by the DBTAC National Network of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Centers took place on April 21, 2009 from 2:00-3:30 PM EST.

Webinar took place on March 26, 2009 and provided an overview of customized employment and how this approach can both address employer needs and leverage employment opportunities for job seekers with disabilities even in an economic downturn.

President Obama has launched the White House Internship Program and announced that applications are currently being accepted for the summer of 2009. Those selected to participate in the program will gain valuable job experience and an inside look at the life of White House staff while building leadership skills. Submission deadline was March 22, 2009.

DOL will release the first official measure of the unemployment rate facing Americans with disabilities tomorrow. The data will be published on the Office of Disability Employment Policy's (ODEP) Web site. ODEP is sponsoring the collection of these data by the department's Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) using the Current Population Survey (CPS).

Trained community volunteers can help you prepare your taxes to make sure you take advantage of special credits, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit and Credit for the Elderly for which you may qualify. Learn more from IRS Publication 907. To locate the AARP Tax-Aide site near you call 1-888-227-7669.

The most extensive survey in history of employers' actions and attitudes toward employing people with disabilities. This link opens a Word document.

Harvard University's Ash Institute for Democratic Governance and Innovation has recognized the Office of Disability Employment Policy's (ODEP) Customized Employment initiative as noteworthy, placing it among the top 20 percent of more than 600 applicants. Learn more about customized employment and ODEP's other initiatives that promote the employment of people with disabilities.

The Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled recently launched a landmark initiative to enhance quality work environments for more than 40,000 Americans employed through AbilityOne, a program that provides employment through the federal procurement process to people who are blind or have other severe disabilities. The Policy on Best Practices for a Quality Work Environment was formally ratified on on January 8, 2009.

ODEP and NAGC have formed an Alliance to provide NAGC members and others with information and resources to help them advance employment opportunities for workers with disabilities. Read the Agreement.

The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) and the Regents of the University of California, on behalf of UCLA Anderson School of Management Executive Education Programs (EEP), have announced an Alliance Agreement to help advance employment opportunities for managers with disabilities.

As part of the USDA TARGET Discovery Series, watch this Webcast to learn how to develop emergency evacuation and shelter in place plans that take into account the needs of all individuals. Anyone may develop a new disability during an emergency, so find out ways to create and improve plans and procedures that truly fit everyone.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) was hiring for Emerging Leaders, a competitive, two-year, paid, federal internship program, for duty stations in the Washington, DC Metropolitan area and Atlanta, GA. Application Deadline was February 6, 2009.

January 15, 2009 memo regarding "Employment First" policies that are creating opportunities to move to integrated employment of people with intellectual disabilities.

The U.S. Department of Labor has joined with the U.S. Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs to launch a Web-based directory to help wounded warriors identify resources available to assist them in transitioning back to civilian life. The "National Resource Directory" encompasses more than 10,000 services and resources. "This directory is valuable for our returning wounded warriors and their positive reintegration back into mainstream American life," said Neil Romano, assistant secretary for the Labor Department's Office of Disability Employment Policy.

This conference took place from December 10-12, 2008 in Bethesda, MD. Perspectives offers a unique opportunity to learn about recruiting, hiring and retaining qualified federal employees with disabilities.

Proving Individuals with Talent Can Help (PITCH) Campaign spokesman, Jim Abbott, is helping to spread the word about the value that people with disabilities can bring to the workplace. Learn more about PITCH, and get answers to your questions about hiring people with disabilities and how parents can help put their children on the path to future employment.

September 17, 2008 - The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) and the U.S. Business Leadership Network (USBLN) have formed an alliance to promote the employment of people with disabilities. This collaboration will provide USBLN members and other employers with information, guidance and access to resources that will help them to recruit, hire and advance workers with disabilities.

The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a new online resource, "America's Heroes at Work", designed to equip employers and the workforce development system with the tools they need to help returning service members affected by Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) succeed in the workplace.

Congress designated each October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). The Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) has the lead in planning NDEAM activities and materials to increase the public's awareness of the contributions and skills of American workers with disabilities. Order the NDEAM 2008 poster.

The 2008 U.S. Business Leadership Network (USBLN) conference took place October 5-8, 2008 in Portland, OR. The theme was "Expanding Inclusion: The Business Strategy."

Event took place on September 25, 2008 and introduced the newly redesigned TARGET Center 2.0 Center.

This conference took place September 24-25, 2008 in Kansas City, MO. Attendees learned about systems change, customized employment and community based services and supports.

This broadcast took place September 17, 2008 from 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Employers looking to expand or create services and programs to support employed caregivers, caregivers working full or part-time and caring for a loved one and organizations providing caregiver services were encouraged to participate.

This report, released on August 11, 2008 by the National Council on Disabilities (NCD), describes financial incentives affecting people with disabilities and presents research findings in key areas such as education and health care. The report also suggests several strategies for securing meaningful employment, career advancement and benefits needed for daily living and accommodations. Download the complete report.

The U.S. Department of Labor has made available to employers nationwide a free database of 1,769 new job candidates with disabilities seeking work in a wide variety of fields.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has issued two new question-and-answer (Q&A) guides providing technical assistance for employers and veterans on workplace issues affecting veterans with service-connected disabilities.

This demonstration was part of the TARGET Discovery Series and took place on August 13, 2008. It demonstrated how Dolphin delivers magnification, speech and Braille access to mainstream Microsoft Windows applications through the use of Lunar, LunarPlus, Hal and SuperNova.

Webinar took place July 22, 2008 from 1:00 - 2:30 P.M. CST. It addressed how the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) provides protections to people who may not have a current ADA defined disability, and provided employers with information to help them to avoid pitfalls that may be encountered when navigating this often overlooked area of the law.

The National Council on Disability (NCD) gathered public input for a study of emerging issues and trends affecting the lives of people with disabilities. Information gathered will be used in the development of NCD's next annual progress report to the President and Congress. The Council was looking for input on disability issues including health, housing, employment, insurance, transportation, assistive technology, recreation, emergency preparedness, early intervention and education.

The Social Security Administration issued final rules designed to improve the Ticket to Work program. The changes will improve the effectiveness of the Ticket program in helping beneficiaries with disabilities who want to return to work.

Workforce Innovations is the premier annual conference promoting collaboration among leaders from workforce development, business, economic development, education, community-based organizations and philanthropy. The 2008 was held July 15-17 in New Orleans.

Part 1: Assisting Individuals to Prepare for an Emergency took place on Monday, June 23, 2008 from 3:00 PM EDT - 4:30 PM EDT. Part II: Preparing Your Organization for an Emergency took place on Wednesday, June 25, 2008 from 3:00 PM EDT - 4:30 PM EDT.

Meeting took place May 8-9, 2008 and showcased best practices in home- and community-based direct service (HCBS) workforce development, and highlighted Federal and state workforce initiatives.

Report issued on January 15, 2008 by the National Council on Disability (NCD) that examines employment, housing, education, transportation and other federal policies that affect people with disabilities.