Expect. Employ. Empower. – National Disability Employment Awareness Month 2014 Theme
“Expect. Employ. Empower.” is the 2014 official theme of National Disability Employment Awareness Month: Observed in October, NDEAM is a nationwide campaign that raises awareness about disability employment issues and honors the many diverse contributions of America’s workers with disabilities. “We all have a role to play in – and benefit to gain from – increasing opportunities for meaningful employment for people with disabilities,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Disability Employment Policy Kathy Martinez. “This year’s theme encapsulates this in three powerful words. It conveys that advancing disability employment is about much more than just hiring. It’s about creating a continuum of inclusion. And the first step on this continuum is expectation.”
March Beyond Compliance – Society for Human Resource Management Blog
In a blog entitled “March Beyond Compliance” posted on the Society for Human Resource Management’s We Know Next site, Christine Walters focuses on the importance of diversity and inclusion to the success of businesses. The blog features information about and a link to a webinar on the topic presented by the Employer Assistance and Resource Network and SHRM.
Job Accommodation Network Publishes Quarterly E-News
The JAN E-News is a quarterly online newsletter that provides information about low-cost and innovative accommodation approaches; the latest trends in assistive technologies; announcements of upcoming JAN presentations, media events, trainings, and Webcasts; and legislative and policy updates promoting the employment success of people with disabilities. This edition includes articles on applying the ADA in a global economy, job application/interview stage dos and don’ts, autism awareness, and more.
Office of Disability Employment Policy Releases START-UP Report
“Self-Employment for People with Disabilities” is the final report of the START-UP initiative, a 2007 three year grant project to identify policies and practices then in place that either made it difficult for individuals with disabilities to become self-employed or supported them in becoming self-employed. The report describes the barriers experienced by the grantees, the self-employment models tested, the achievements of the grant programs, and case studies of several individuals with disabilities who successfully became self-employed. The report also makes recommendations for adoption by agencies and individuals for realizing self-employment goals.
LEAD Center Issues Employment, Health Care & Disability Policy Update
The April edition of this monthly update, focusing on the intersection of employment, disability and health care policy, features stories on the closing of the initial ACA Open Enrollment period, the recent settlement of the landmark Rhode Island segregated employment lawsuit, and various reports on topics such as housing, Medicaid eligibility, and family support for people with disabilities.
Registration is Open for the May 12 New York Forum for the White House Summit on Working Families
On June 23, the White House, the Department of Labor, and the Center for American Progress will host a Summit on Working Families to set an agenda for a 21st century workplace that works for all Americans. Leading up to the Summit, the Department of Labor is hosting regional forums across the United States to identify initiatives that benefit America’s working families, businesses and economy. These discussions will help inform the national Summit, which will build momentum around key policy goals and best practices to help both workers and businesses succeed. The next forum will be held on May 12 in New York, and registration is now open.
Access Board Launches Online Guides to the ADA and ABA Standards
The U.S. Access Board has new online guides about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) Accessibility Standards. The illustrated guides explain the requirements of the ADA and ABA standards, answer common questions, and include recommendations for best practices. The first installment of the guides covers the first three chapters of the standards. Guides covering other sections of the standards will be released at a later date.
Bureau of Labor Statistics Releases Youth Employment Rate Numbers for April 2014
Employment data for youth with and without disabilities is obtained from the Current Population Survey (CPS), a monthly survey of households conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau for the Bureau of Labor Statistics.