ODEP - Office of Disability Employment Policy
Disability Employment Policy Resources by Topic
Federal Employment
As the Nation's largest employer, the Federal government must model effective employment policies and practices that advance America's ideal of equal opportunity for all.
Reflecting this, in July 2010, President Obama marked the 20th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by signing an Executive Order that aims to transform the disability employment landscape within the Federal government. This directive calls on federal departments and agencies to increase the recruitment, hiring and retention of people with disabilities in coming years, and ODEP is proud to have been charged to assist the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) in implementing it.
The following resources provide more information about efforts to support the Federal employment of people with disabilities:
- Toolkit for Federal Agencies on Implementing Executive Order 13548 — Outline of five-step process and related resources to assist Federal agencies in their efforts to increase the employment of people with disabilities.
- Summary of Promising and Emerging Practices for Enhancing the Employment of Individuals with Disabilities Included in Plans Submitted by Federal Agencies under Executive Order 13548 — Identifies promising and emerging practices for advancing the recruitment, hiring, and retention of individuals with disabilities identified in 10 selected agency plans submitted under Executive Order 13548. This summary report does not attempt to identify all promising and emerging practices used by these Federal agencies; rather, it only addresses those identified in their plans. The report may be used to learn about practices that may facilitate achievement of the overarching goal of the Executive Order—to ensure that the Federal government becomes a model for the employment of individuals with disabilities.
- Federal Agency Employment Strategies — A Framework for Disability Inclusion — Identifies existing, promising, and emerging proactive and dynamic employment strategies and practices for recruiting, hiring, advancing, and retaining qualified individuals with disabilities. This tool can assist Federal agencies in making their workplaces inclusive of and welcoming to people with disabilities.
- Memorandum for Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies — This letter, signed jointly by Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis and Office of Personnel Management Director John Berry, outlines resources for implementing Executive Order 13548 — Increasing the Federal Employment of People with Disabilities.
- eFedLink — A Community of Practice designed to support all federal managers and human resources personnel in implementing the hiring and advancement of persons with disabilities in the federal government.
- Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP) — A program that connects federal employers nationwide with highly motivated college students and recent graduates with disabilities who are seeking summer internships or permanent employment.
- Perspectives on Employment of Persons with Disabilities Conference — The largest national conference focused entirely on the employment of individuals with disabilities in the federal sector. Perspectives takes place annually in December.
- Emergency Preparedness — Guidance for federal agencies on ensuring their emergency preparedness plans consider the needs of employees and visitors with disabilities.
- Schedule A Hiring Authority — Hiring authority that allows federal agencies to hire people with certain targeted disabilities non-competitively. The following brochures provide more information:
- The ABCs of Schedule A - For Service Providers
- The ABCs of Schedule A - For the Disability Program Manager and/or Selective Placement Coordinator
- The ABCs of Schedule A - For the Hiring Manager
- The ABCs of Schedule A - For the Human Resources Professional
- The ABCs of Schedule A - For Applicants with Disabilities
- Schedule A Hiring Fact Sheet for Youth — This fact sheet explains the Schedule A hiring authority to youth with disabilities who are seeking employment in the federal government.
- OPM Federal Employment of People with Disabilities Website — Website that addresses federal disability hiring programs, reasonable accommodations in the federal workplaces, related laws and executive orders and other resources.
- Advancing Opportunities: Accommodations Resources for Federal Managers and Employees — Information on government-wide and agency-specific accommodation resources for federal managers.
- Computer/Electronic Accommodations Program (CAP) — The federal government's centrally funded accommodation program. Provides assistive technology and services free of charge to federal agencies.
- Job Accommodation Network (JAN) — ODEP-funded service that provides free, expert and confidential guidance on workplace accommodations and other disability employment issues.
- Special Hiring Authorities for Veterans — Information about special hiring authorities federal agencies can use to hire veterans, including disabled veterans.
