Diversity and Inclusion
In order fulfill our mission - to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards - FEMA must have a workforce that reflects the rich composition of its people. The skills, knowledge, perspectives, ideas, and experiences of all of our employees contribute to the vitality and success of this mission.
Our commitment to inclusion must be clear in the face we present to the world and in our decision-making processes both during and outside of times of emergency. The keys to successfully maintaining a diverse workforce are commitment and perseverance. Delivering durable and efficient support requires every employee's commitment to equal employment opportunity principles.
People with Disabilities Employment Initiative
On July 26, 2010, President Obama signed Executive Order 13548, increasing Federal Employment of People with Disabilities.
FEMA is working to help those with a disability find suitable employment while maintaining a sense of self-worth. FEMA's diversity outreach efforts include connecting with those with targeted disabilities and those that are not targeted and remain connected to support groups, as well as education and employment organizations. This Agency realizes the importance of developing employment opportunities for people with a disability and remains committed to this effort.
The federal government may "Direct-Hire" people who are disabled through a streamlined, non-competitive hiring appointment through the Schedule A (5 C.F.R. 213.3102(u)) hiring authority. This excepted authority is used to appoint persons with severe physical disabilities, psychiatric disabilities, and intellectual disabilities. This is a "win-win" process for both the job applicant and FEMA in that it enables the Agency to rapidly hire qualified people with a disability without going through the lengthy competitive recruitment and hiring process.
Individuals must provide the following documents to our office for possible referrals:
- Resume
- Letter from a State Rehabilitation Agency
- Physician or other Government Agency
Disability Reasonable Accommodation
The Agency is committed and obligated to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities unless doing so would result in undue hardship. Reasonable accommodations are those appropriate accommodations that permit employees to effectively perform their essential job requirements. We also ensure equal access to Federal programs, activities, and facilities to people with disabilities.
The Disability and Reasonable Accommodation program includes providing reasonable accommodation to qualified employees and applicants with disabilities (modifications or adjustments that allow qualified employees or applicants with disabilities to participate in the application process or to perform the essential duties of the position for which they were hired).
Sign language interpreting services are available, as are services for the blind and visually impaired. Readers are available for employees with vision impairments who do not benefit from screen magnification in the office or at training sites.
Services provided allow equal access to information technology and services in today's work force.
Read about FEMA’s Equal Opportunity Employment Program.
For More Information
- Individuals with Disabilities on USAJOBS.gov
- Accessibility at FEMA
- Equal Opportunity Employment Program at FEMA
- Disability Employment – Office of Personnel Management
- Diversity and Inclusion – Office of Personnel Management
If you have questions or concerns, please email: