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A World In Which People With Disabilities Have Unlimited Employment Opportunities
DOL’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) and Employment and Training Administration (ETA) to Conduct a National Workforce Investment Act (WIA) “Listening” Opportunity for Disability Stakeholders
ETA and ODEP will conduct a National "Listening" Session for disability stakeholders on October 1, 2009 from 2:00-5:00 pm (Eastern Time). The purpose of the Listening Session is to gather recommendations from a disability perspective for the reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998.
Please review the invitation letter for details on how to register to attend in person or via webinar and phone number. The session will offer captioning services.
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Hispanic Americans: Talent for Your Business
September 15th marks the start of National Hispanic Heritage Month, a time when America recognizes and celebrates the important pieces that Hispanic Americans contribute to the mosaic of our nation. The month also celebrates the personal freedom and self-determination most Hispanic Americans or their ancestors sought when they first came to the U.S. Like Americans of many other cultural and ethnic backgrounds, they were drawn to America’s promise of equal opportunity for all. Central to this promise is the right to pursue gainful work and be recognized for one’s skills and accomplishments.
Read more in the September issue of Business Sense…
Labor Day Message from Assistant Secretary Kathleen Martinez
Each year on Labor Day we celebrate the achievements of America's workers. In many ways, it's a unique holiday, commemorating not just one person or historical event, but rather the collective capacity of workers. It honors the ingenuity and innovation that characterize the American spirit.
Labor Day emerged from the grassroots. The first observances were held at the local level. The idea quickly gained traction at the state level, and in 1894 Congress established the nationwide, annual holiday we know today. Clearly, the way we work has changed since then. But the premise behind the holiday has not.
The foundation that underpins the industriousness of our nation's workers is America's promise of equal opportunity for all. And since the first Labor Day, more and more people from all walks of life have realized this promise. Today, our nation benefits from an increasingly diverse workforce, one that offers a number of different perspectives and rich ideas to American businesses of all sizes and in all industries.
An important dimension of this diversity is disability. Every day, people with disabilities make significant contributions to workplaces across the U.S. Yet, in both good economic times and bad, people with disabilities have fewer opportunities than those without disabilities—a reality that stands in stark contrast to America's ideals.
America's future success requires us to capitalize on the talents of all segments of the population, and the responsibility is shared. Employers must foster workplaces welcoming to all qualified employees and potential employees. People with disabilities must understand the intrinsic value of work and their role in our economic success. Youth with disabilities must grow up with the expectation of employment, and parents, educators and other adults must strengthen this expectation by cultivating a clear vision of work and community participation.
Advancing employment opportunities and expectations for people with disabilities strengthens not only America's economy, but our moral fiber. It creates a more inclusive America, one where every person is recognized for his or her accomplishments—and that should be our goal not just on Labor Day but every day.
August 2009 Disability Employment Statistics Released
In August 2009, the percentage of people with disabilities in the labor force was 22.2 compared with 71.2 for persons with no disability. The unemployment rate for those with disabilities was 16.9 percent, compared with 9.3 percent for persons with no disability, not seasonally adjusted.
Read about the August Disability Employment Statistics
Read Employment Statistics FAQ and Commonly Used Terms
National Disability Employment Awareness Month Poster Available to Order
The 2009 NDEAM poster is available to order online in English and Spanish. Read about the poster and how to order.
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Registration Opens for the 2009 Perspectives on Employment of Persons with Disabilities Conference
Take advantage of the early bird rates
Read more about the Conference
New Brochure Released: Employer Perspectives on Employment of People with Disabilities
In the first survey of its magnitude, 3,797 businesses representing 2.4 million companies, across 12 industry sectors and various company sizes, reported on their beliefs about and strategies for recruiting, hiring, retaining and advancing employees with disabilities.
The print version of Employer Perspectives on Employment of People with Disabilities will be available soon. In the meantime, an online version is available in Word or PDF
Kathleen Martinez Confirmed as Assistant Secretary for Disability Employment Policy
On June 25, 2009, the Senate voted by unanimous consent to confirm Kathleen (Kathy) Martinez as Assistant Secretary for the Office of Disability Employment Policy. Blind since birth, Ms. Martinez comes to ODEP with a background as an internationally recognized disability rights leader specializing in employment, asset building, independent living, international development, diversity and gender issues.
Read more about Assistant Secretary Kathleen Martinez
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