US Labor Department's Office of Disability Employment Policy announces theme for National Disability Employment Awareness Month October 2013

"Because We Are EQUAL to the Task" is the theme of this year's National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Chosen by the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy, the theme reflects the reality that people with disabilities have the education, training, experience and desire to be successful in the workplace.

"When I was growing up, many people doubted what I could do just because I was blind. But because I had people in my life who instilled in me an expectation of work and showed me opportunities to be successful, I completed college and became known for what I can do," said Kathy Martinez, assistant secretary of labor for disability employment policy. "I urge all employers to benefit from the skills of workers with disabilities by giving them, including our returning veterans, a chance to show that they, too, are equal to the task."

This year's theme echoes the message of ODEP's ongoing Campaign for Disability Employment to promote positive employment outcomes for people with disabilities and expand ideas about what youths with disabilities cando when they receive encouragement and support for their ambitions. Conducted in collaboration with business and disability organizations, the campaign emphasizes that, at work, it is what people can do that matters. More information about the Campaign for Disability Employment is available at http://www.whatcanyoudocampaign.org.

Recognized in some form since 1945 when Congress designated a week in October as "National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week," National Disability Employment Awareness Month is a culmination of ODEP's year-long efforts to raise awareness about the value of employing people with disabilities. The theme is announced well in advance of October to enable communities throughout the nation to plan announcements and activities to recognize the month and celebrate the many and varied contributions of America's workers with disabilities. Such activities include proclamations, public awareness programs and job fairs that enhance awareness, create opportunities, or showcase the abilities and talents of workers with disabilities. Resources for participation and more information are available on ODEP's Web pages at http://www.dol.gov/odep by selecting NDEAM from among the topics listed.

Source: DOL

This information is intended to be educational and should not be considered legal advice on any specific matter.

EEOC Announces a Notice of Information Collection Regarding the Revision of the Demographic Information on Applicants for Federal Employment Form

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has announced that it intends to revise an EEOC form (Demographic Information on Applicants, OMB No. 3046-0046) to include disability status data. The form is for use by federal agencies in gathering data on the race, ethnicity, and sex of job applicants, and is used by EEOC and other agencies to gauge progress and trends over time with respect to equal employment opportunity goals. The revision would add disability status of applicants to the collection, thereby allowing the agencies and EEOC to track progress toward meeting the recruitment and hiring strategies developed pursuant to Executive Order 13548 — Increasing Federal Employment of Individuals with Disabilities.

Written comments on this notice must be submitted on or before April 16, 2013. ODEP encourages everyone to take this opportunity to provide comments on these proposed revisions.

To read the Federal Register notice click here

Source: ODEP

This information is intended to be educational and should not be considered legal advice on any specific matter.

Youth With Disabilities Encouraged To Pursue Career Goals

To help millions of people recognize what they can do to make a difference in the lives — and future careers — of young people with disabilities, the U.S. Department of Labor's Campaign for Disability Employment has released a new video public service announcement titled "Because." The PSA features real people with disabilities — not actors — who are pursuing and realizing their goals and passions as a result of the support they received from everyday people in their lives. Because nearly 1 out of 5 Americans has a disability, the PSA is intended to replace myths and misperceptions about disability employment with new views of what people with disabilities can do.

To read more, click here.
 
Source: U.S. Department of Labor

This information is intended to be educational and should not be considered legal advice on any specific matter.

Good Faith Effort for Individuals with Disabilities

Post the "National Disability Employment Awareness" poster during the month of October:

For more information on the campaign click here.  To download the poster click here.

For information on the affirmative action compliance services offered by THOMAS HOUSTON associates, inc., call 1-800-330-9000 or click here to schedule a convenient time to receive a call from one of our Affirmative Action Consultants.