ODEP - Office of Disability Employment Policy
Disability Employment Policy Resources by Topic
Technology
Accessible and usable workplace technologies, and various types of assistive technology, are paramount to helping people with disabilities succeed on the job and deliver for their employers. Reflecting this, ODEP has a long history of exploring policies that will advance the development and adoption of accessible, interoperable and usable information and communication technologies (ICT) in the workplace.
Events
ePolicyWorks Event
September 13, 2012 Webcast: Policy Development Think Tank: New Strategies for Successful Collaboration
ODEP hosted a webcast, Policy Development Think Tank Webcast: New Strategies for Successful Collaboration, as part of the ePolicyWorks initiative. During this event, panelists discussed their perspectives on the use of new and innovative open government strategies for policy development in such key areas as disability employment.
What: A live webcast discussion hosted by Carl Fillichio, DOL's Senior Advisor for Communications and Public Affairs, and Michael Reardon, ePolicyWorks Program Manager & ODEP Policy Advisor Team Lead, Employment-Related Support Policy. The panels will be moderated by Chris Dorobek, journalist, commentator and radio host.
Panel One: Federal Collaboration Strategies
- Gadi Ben-Yehuda, Director of Innovation and Social Media, The Center for the Business of Government at IBM
- Anthony Cossa, Acting Chief Technology Officer and Director of Emerging Technology, Federal Acquisition Service, Office of the Chief Information Officer, General Services Administration
- Greg Elin, Chief Data Officer, Federal Communications Commission
- Bryna Helfer, Director of Public Engagement, U.S. Department of Transportation
Panel Two: Collaboration Tools and Techniques in Action
- Doug Birnie, Team Lead for United We Ride, Federal Transit Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation
- Nadia Ibrahim, Public Health Analyst and Black Lung Grantee Program Manager, Health Resources and Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
- Megan Kenny, IdeaFactory Acting Program Manager in the Office of Training and Workforce Engagement, Transportation Security Administration
Additional Resources
AT Works Events
ODEP hosts a series of free webcasts, webinars and podcasts to explore the connection between accessible technology and the employment of people with disabilities. From panel discussions to educational presentations, these AT Works events feature prominent thought leaders and insightful dialogues on accessible technology issues.
September 5, 2012 Podcast: Engaging Citizens in the Development of Accessible Workplace Technology
Moderated by Tom Temin, Anchor, Federal News Radio. Panelists include Kathleen Martinez, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Disability Employment Policy, Greg Elin, Chief Data Officer, Federal Communications Commission, and Sheila Campbell, Director, Center for Excellence in Digital Government in the Office of Citizen Services and Innovative Technologies, General Services Administration.
August 16, 2012 Webcast: Accessibility and Emerging Technology — Keys to Improving the Employment of People with Disabilities"
Moderated by Tom Temin, Anchor, Federal News Radio. Panelists include Kathleen Martinez, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Disability Employment Policy; Jim Tobias, President of Inclusive Technologies and Vint Cerf, Vice President and Chief Internet Evangelist at Google
August 2, 2012 Webinar: Accessible Technology's Impact on the Employment of People with Cognitive and Developmental Disabilities"
Moderated by ODEP Assistant Secretary Kathleen Martinez, presenters included Ari Ne'eman President and Co-founder, Autistic Self Advocacy Network and Adam Anicich, Acting Director, Office of Congressional and Legislative Affairs' Liaison Service, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
June 21, 2012 Webcast: Accessible Technology's Role in Today's Workplace
Moderated by Tom Temin, Anchor, Federal News Radio. Panelists included Kathleen Martinez, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Disability Employment Policy; Brian Hurley, Public Affairs Director, National Industries for the Blind; and Christian Vogler, Ph.D., Associated Professor and Director of the Technology Access Program, Co-PI, RERC on Telecommunications Access, Gallaudet University.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) "Developing with Accessibility" Event
DevAcc meeting will take place September 6 and 7, 2012 in Washington, D.C.
As part of its commitment to the development of accessible and interoperable workplace technology, ODEP is proud to be partnering with the FCC's Accessibility and Innovation Initiative (A&I) on "DevAcc" — its "Developing with Accessibility" event, scheduled to take place at the FCC’s Washington, D.C. headquarters on September 6 and 7, 2012.
DevAcc is designed to spur increased collaboration on accessibility solutions among developers from industry, consumer, and government sectors. The event will encourage the use of accessibility APIs (application programming interfaces), as well as publicly available data sets, in order to build accessible apps for mobile phones and websites.
Attendees are asked to pre-register for the event by August 31, 2012.
Framework for Designing and Implementing Accessible Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Strategic Plans
ODEP's Accessible Technology in the Workplace Initiative has drafted a paper to help employers develop a corporate-wide, comprehensive strategic plan for adopting and implementing accessible ICT corporate policies, practices and procedures in their own workplace.
New Draft of ICT Rules
On December 8 the U.S. Access Board released for public comment a revised draft of updated accessibility requirements for ICT covered by Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act and Section 255 of the Telecommunications Act. This latest version includes changes made in response to public feedback received on an earlier draft issued last year. The released draft is available for public comment until March 7. During the comment period, the Board will hold public hearings in Washington, D.C. on January 11 and at the annual CSUN Conference in San Diego on March 1.
Accessible Technology Resources
The following resources provide more information related to accessible and assistive technology in the workplace:
Disability.gov Technology Resources — Information about assistive technologies such as communication devices, screen readers, equipment to improve mobility and many kinds of accessible technologies that help people live independently. Also includes information about the accessibility features of new technologies such as digital books and smart phones.
Technology Resources — Downloadable fact sheets, whitepapers and additional resources provided by the Job Accommodation Network (JAN).
Building Accessible Websites — Educational resources and tips for building accessible websites and other applications provided by the Employer Assistance and Resource Network (EARN).
Tips for Building Accessible Websites — JAN's 15-step tool to self assess the accessibility of your online application system.
World Wide Web Consortium's (W3C) Web Accessibility Initiative — W3C's Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) document, which explains how to make Web content accessible to people with disabilities.
U.S. Access Board Section 508 Home Page — Standards issued by the Access Board under Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act that cover access to electronic and information technology procured by federal agencies.
Section 508.gov — Official website for Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, which requires that federal agencies' electronic and information technology is accessible to people with disabilities.
Roadmaps for Enhancing Employment of Persons with Disabilities Through Accessible Technology — Two reports that identify actionable steps that can be taken by the business community and government to facilitate the widespread adoption of accessible technology policies and practices by businesses.
- Roadmaps I (PDF)
- Roadmaps II (PDF)
ODEP/ATIA Research Report — A report prepared by the Assistive Technology Industry Association for ODEP on action items and policy issues for consideration regarding ways to promote accessible design within the software and hardware development community, especially in the information and communications technology (ICT) industries, as it relates to the employment of persons with disabilities.
