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ODEP News Release: [05/24/2004] Contact Name: Michael
Volpe Phone Number: (202) 693-7909
Labor Secretary Chao and Defense Secretary Rumsfeld
Issue Memo Urging Federal Hiring of College Students with Disabilities
WashingtonU.S. Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao and U.S.
Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld today urged federal government agency
heads to continue to enthusiastically support a Bush Administration program
that has successfully placed hundreds of college students with disabilities in
summer and permanent employment.
The Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP) gives students with
disabilities the opportunities they need to start successful careers,
said Secretary Chao. The program also fulfills President Bushs
New Freedom Initiative pledge to promote employment opportunities for
people with disabilities throughout the nation.
In a joint memorandum, both Secretaries said President Bushs
New Freedom Initiative calls for expanding employment opportunities for
Americans with disabilities. The Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP) for
College Students with Disabilities can help the federal government lead by
example in achieving that goal. Please encourage your selecting officials
to consider the candidates referred through this program for career development
opportunities and permanent employment.
Last summer, more than 300 students and recent graduates with
disabilities found summer or permanent jobs through WRP. The Labor Department
estimates that because of the popularity of the program, that number will
likely be exceeded by mid-summer 2004.
Through the WRP, the Labor Departments Office of Disability
Employment Policy (ODEP), in cooperation with the Department of Defense, offers
a database of almost 1,600 job seekers with disabilities on a complimentary
CD-ROM. Private and public sector employers can search for potential applicants
by field of study, state or school, in disciplines ranging from computer
sciences and business to communications engineering and office administration.
Searches generate candidate profiles, academic and demographic data and contact
information from applications recruited by the program from more than 180
colleges and universities in over 40 states and territories. The CD-ROM and
additional information are available from
www.wrpjobs.com,
or by contacting ODEP at (202) 693-7880, or at www.dol.gov/odep.
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