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CAP 25th Anniversary Symposium

The event showcased the Department of Defense’s long-standing commitment to the federal disability community by reflecting upon 25 years of service by the Computer/Electronic Accommodations Program (CAP).  Furthermore, it helped increase awareness of key topics related to federal employment of individuals with disabilities and provided an opportunity for CAP’s stakeholders to provide feedback on services.  Session descriptions are listed below and those with PowerPoint slides can be accessed by selecting the session title.

General Session

  • Panel - Perspectives on CAP
    This moderated session provided insights and feedback on the centrally-funded CAP model. Each panelist highlighted important milestones in the provision of assistive technology accommodations to federal employees with disabilities, agencies providing access to individuals with disabilities, and wounded, ill and injured Service members.
  • Q & A: Your Reasonable Accommodation Challenges
    This session provided a forum for attendees to ask questions of Jo Linda Johnson, Director of Civil Rights, Diversity and Inclusion, Transportation Security Administration, in an open question and answer forum. The topics ranged from policies and procedures to specific types of reasonable accommodations and included both legal and operational insights for attendees.
  • Emergency Preparedness for Individuals with Disabilities
    Marcie Roth, Director, Office of Disability Integration and Coordination, Federal Emergency Management Agency provided attendees information on the inclusion of individuals with disabilities during the emergency preparedness planning process. This included information on what steps should be taken by agencies and individuals to be prepared to for possible emergencies.

Breakout Sessions

  • Expedited Hiring via Schedule A Hiring Authority
    Excepted service appointing authorities are critical tools for increasing employment opportunities for people with disabilities in the Federal Government. Jo Linda Johnson, Director of Civil Rights, Diversity and Inclusion, Transportation Security Administration provided an overview of the Schedule A Hiring Authority along with details for utilization in order to expedite hiring while diversifying the workforce.
  • Facility Accessibility
    Mario B. Damiani, J.D., Compliance and Enforcement Section, Office of the General Counsel, United States Access Board This session reviewed the Facility Accessibility and the Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) of 1968, including the legal authority, the ABA Accessibility Guidelines and Standards, the most common barriers to accessibility and information on additions and leases. The ABA enforcement process was reviewed, including a detailed 7-step ABA Complaint Process.
  • CAP Stakeholder Roundtable
    Sharon Terrell-Lindsay, Deputy Director, CAP Derek Shields, Program Manager, CAP The presenters provided an overview of the CAP organizational structure and specific team activities. Then, in an open roundtable format, a dialogue occurred between the presenters, CAP stakeholders and other CAP staff members regarding best practices for activating a new CAP partnership and for growing a long-standing partnership.
  • Building an Effective Federal Disability Program
    Kendra Duckworth, Disability Program Manager, Department of the Air Force Michael Looney, Disability Program Manager, Federal Aviation Administration The presenters provided insights from their experiences on best practices for building and operating an effective federal disability program. Lessons learned over the years demonstrate more effective models to increase the recruitment, placement and retention of individuals in a federal agency.
  • Disability Etiquette & Awareness
    Michael Looney, Disability Program Manager, Federal Aviation Administration Stephen M. King, Director, CAP Everyone has a role in creating an inclusive workplace. This session focused on how to discuss disabilities in a positive way and highlight tips for interacting with individuals with disabilities. Session leaders discussed the origins and perceptions of biases and demonstrate what is lost when people do not take the time to “look below the surface.”
  • Workforce Recruitment Program
    Randy Cooper, Director of Disability Programs, Department of Defense The workshop provided an overview of the Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP), a recruitment and referral program that connects federal and private sector employers nationwide with highly motivated college students and recent graduates with disabilities who are eager to prove their abilities in the workplace through summer or permanent jobs.
  • Determining Accommodation Solutions the CAP Way
    Michael Young, Assessment Specialist/CAPTEC Manager, CAP Jerome D. Lyons, Program Analyst, CAP The speakers provided an overview of the CAP mission and services, including details regarding the needs assessment process and assistive technologies for a variety of disabilities. Specific case studies were also provided to give applied examples of potential solutions for specific customer segments.
Image of symposium attendees during a breakout session