Disability Case Study Research Consortium on Employer Organizational Practices in Employing People with Disabilities — To complete this project, ODEP sponsored a consortium of expert researchers from the Burton Blatt Institute at Syracuse University (BBI) and other educational institutions, including Rutgers University, Cornell University, Georgia Institute of Technology, and West Virginia University, to examine "corporate culture" and its impact on employment opportunities, experiences and engagement at work for persons with disabilities. The goal of this research was to identify how organizational structures, values, policies and day-to-day practices affect the employment of people with disabilities (e.g., with respect to recruiting, hiring, retaining and promoting people with and without disabilities).

Survey of Employer Perspectives on the Employment of People with Disabilities (2007) — The objective of this nationally representative survey was to inform the development and promotion of policy and practice by comparing employer perspectives across industries and within companies of varying sizes. ODEP used the data from this survey to formulate targeted strategies and policies for increasing employment opportunities for people with disabilities. This survey emphasized current attitudes and practices of employers in 12 industry sectors, including some high growth industries as projected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Knowledge Development and Translation Initiative for Expanding the Availability and Use of Customized Employment — This project was intended to increase knowledge regarding expanded utilization of customized employment strategies developed by ODEP through prior work. Through this effort, ODEP, along with its contractor, Economic Systems, Inc. (EconSys), worked to significantly expand translation of knowledge and utilization to: (1) expand availability and use of customized employment strategies among public and private systems personnel and employers; (2) implement various customized employment strategies that enable people with disabilities to move from poverty to self-sufficiency through asset accumulation and customized benefits; and (3) develop multiple policy products related to these activities.

Funding Options for Personal Assistance Services (PAS) — ODEP, in collaboration with Social Dynamics, LLC, examined the possibility of creating a PAS Flexible Spending Account (FSA). Research on employer-based reimbursement accounts was undertaken to determine the feasibility of creating an account to reimburse PAS not covered by employers as a workplace accommodation. An issue paper outlined both the benefits and limitations of such a policy, taking into account the perspectives of various stakeholder groups (e.g., employees, employers, service providers, professional groups, and policy makers). Particular attention was given to addressing the economic and social implications of such a policy for people with disabilities.

Health and Wellness Research Initiative — The purpose of ODEP's Health and Wellness Research Initiative was to examine: (1) corporate health and wellness programs that maintain and integrate health, disability management, cost effectiveness, and productivity within organizational cultures, and (2) access to health care for people with potentially disabling conditions who do not qualify for employer-based group coverage so that they can remain in the workforce. The Health and Wellness Research Initiative resulted in a number of publications, which identified corporate health and wellness initiatives and access to health care initiatives that have been important to people with disabilities and the extent to which the programs have advanced quality access to health care.

Financial Education for Youth with Disabilities — ODEP, in collaboration with Social Dynamics, LLC, prepared an issue paper and a literature review based on a comprehensive analysis of existing financial literacy programs for all youth, including those with disabilities; the effectiveness of these programs; and the role of employers and employment as they relate to financial literacy.