Assistant Secretary Martinez Posts Blog on “The Graying Effect”
In her blog “Redefining the Inclusive Workplace: The Graying Effect,” Kathy Martinez, assistant secretary of labor for disability employment policy, discusses the aging of the workforce and the ways that it is changing the perception of disability in the workplace. “A critical paradigm shift is underway,” says Martinez. “The conversation about disability and employment is expanding, and older workers are an important part of the discussion.”
U.S. Department of Labor Issues Final Rule on Minimum Wage and Overtime Pay for Direct Care Workers
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division announced a final rule extending the Fair Labor Standards Act’s minimum wage and overtime protections to most of the nation’s direct care workers who provide essential home care assistance to elderly people and people with illnesses, injuries, or disabilities. This change, effective January 1, 2015, ensures that nearly two million workers — such as home health aides, personal care aides, and certified nursing assistants — will have the same basic protections already provided to most U.S. workers. It will help ensure that individuals and families who rely on the assistance of direct care workers have access to consistent and high quality care from a stable and increasingly professional workforce. To help families, other employers, and workers understand the new requirements, the Department has created a new, dedicated web portal with fact sheets, FAQs, interactive web tools, and other materials, and will be hosting five public webinars during the month of October.
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and U.S. Department of Labor to Host Twitter Chat to Mark the 40th Anniversary of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
On Wednesday, September 25, 1:00-2:00 PM EDT, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (@EEOC_OFO) and the U.S. Department of Labor (@USDOL) will host in a live Twitter Chat in commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The Rehabilitation Act makes it illegal to discriminate against a qualified employee or applicant with a disability in the federal government and in federal contracts and subcontracts. Tweet using the hashtag #RehabAct to join the discussion or to submit your questions in advance. You can also submit questions by emailing them to ODEP@dol.gov.
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and U.S. Department of Labor to Celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
On Thursday, September 26, 2013, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) will celebrate “The Past, Present, and Future of the Rehabilitation Act” on its 40th anniversary. This event will highlight where disability law started, where it currently stands and where it might be headed. The celebration will take place at EEOC headquarters at 131 M Street NE, Washington, DC (NOMA/Gallaudet Metro stop on the Red Line). The exhibit hall opens at 12:00 PM EDT, and the program is from 1:00-5:00 PM EDT. Speakers include Senator Tom Harkin (invited), Pat Shiu (invited), Judith Heumann, Claudia Gordon, John Wodatch, Jeff Rosen, Robert Silverstein, Ruby Moore and Chai Feldblum. Space is limited. You must RSVP in order to attend this event. Email FederalTrainingandOutreach@eeoc.gov. Include “REHAB ACT EVENT RSVP” in the subject line. Please also include any accommodation requests in your email.
Customized and Self-Employment Services Adopted by the U.S. Department of Education’s Rehabilitation Services Administration
On July 10, 2013, the U.S. Department of Education’s Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) submitted a Policy Directive to revise its Vocational Rehabilitation Program Case Service Reports for its RSA-911 data to include customized and self-employment services. RSA will implement the revised RSA-911 and instructions for federal fiscal year 2014 and all subsequent fiscal years, beginning on October 1, 2013. Part of this revised reporting data will include services that involve the blend of flexible strategies that result in the provision of individually negotiated and designed services, supports, and job opportunities for an individual and that lead to an employment outcome of customized employment, including self-employment.