ODEP - Office of Disability Employment Policy
Disability Employment Policy Resources by Topic
Alliances Description
The ODEP Alliance Initiative
The Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) works with the public to promote positive disability workplace and employment strategies, policies and practices by offering technical assistance and research based model programs to employers, employees, organizations, and government agencies. Through technical assistance and model programs, organizations work collaboratively with the Agency.
In 2006 ODEP created the Alliance Initiative. This cooperative effort enables organizations committed to improving disability workplace practices to work with ODEP to develop and implement model policies and initiatives that increase recruiting, hiring, advancing, and retaining workers with disabilities. ODEP and Alliance participants work together to reach out to, educate, and lead the nation's employers, employees and organizations in advancing disability employment. Groups that can form an Alliance with ODEP include employers, labor unions, trade or professional groups, government agencies and educational institutions.
ODEP Alliances
- National Industry Liaison Group (NILG) — April 23, 2012 to April 23, 2014
- Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA) — March 1, 2012 to March 1, 2014
- Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) — January 17, 2012 to January 17, 2014
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) — January 6, 2012 to January 6, 2014
- National Association of Governor's Committees on People with Disabilities (NAGC) — April 14, 2011 to April 14, 2013
- The Partnership for Public Service (PPS) — March 31, 2011 to March 31, 2013
- HSCF/Collaborative — September 23, 2011 to September 23, 2013
- US Business Leadership Network (USBLN) — September 20, 2010 to September 20, 2012
Benefits of an Alliance
There are many benefits to participating in an Alliance with ODEP. The agreements, which are signed for two years, help organizations to:
- Build trusting, cooperative relationships with the Agency.
- Network with others committed to increasing disability employment.
- Leverage resources to maximize workplace disability practices.
- Gain recognition as proactive leaders in disability employment.
Organizations may be cooperating with ODEP for the first time, or they may be continuing existing relationships with the Agency established through other cooperative programs.
Getting Started
The Alliance Program supports ODEP's Strategic Management Plan to develop and influence development of evidence-based policies and practices that can be readily adopted by Federal, state, and local service delivery systems and their partners, including public and private employers. There are few formal program requirements for Alliances and the agreements do not include an enforcement component. However, ODEP and the participating organizations must define, implement and meet a set of short and long-term goals that fall into three categories:
- Training and Education, such as developing training and education programs and seminars aimed at improving disability work place policies and strategies.
- Outreach and Communication, such as sharing the most up-to-date information for educational purposes and promoting participation in ODEP's cooperative programs.
- Promoting a national dialogue on disability employment, by sharing data on disability employment, participating in various forums and groups to discuss ways of improving disability employment, and demonstrating the effectiveness of disability employment strategies and policies.
Alliance Implementation
ODEP and the Alliance participants form implementation teams. The teams, consisting of representatives from ODEP and the organizations, are responsible for developing strategies and implementing programs or processes that meet the defined goals.
Products and Activities
Alliances will develop a number of products and undertake many activities, including:
- Assisting ODEP in developing and disseminating training and education materials;
- Assisting ODEP in Outreach and Communication with the news media and at conferences and trade shows;
- Assisting ODEP in technical assistance activities including identifying, documenting and disseminating effective disability employment policies and practices.
Information
For national Alliances, contact ODEP's Office of Policy Communications and Outreach at 202-693-7880. Visit ODEP's website at www.dol.gov/odep for more information about the Alliance Initiative.
