DOL Releases Economic Picture of the Disability Community Project
The U.S. Department of Labor has released the Economic Picture of the Disability Community Project, a joint initiative between DOL’s Office of Disability Employment Policy, Employment and Training Administration, Chief Economist, Office of the Secretary, and the White House Council of Economic Advisors (CEA). The data produced are based on CEA analysis of the Census Bureau’s 2010-2012 American Community Survey, matched to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ 2012-2022 occupational projections. “Expect.Employ.Empower.with Data,” a blog authored by Heidi Shierholz, the Labor Department’s Chief Economist, and Kathy Martinez, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Disability Employment Policy, highlights some of the disability employment data and its significance for the U.S. workforce.
White House to Hold Monthly Disability Community Call – October 27, 2:00-3:00 PM EDT
The White House Disability Outreach team will hold a conference call Monday, October 27, 2:00-3:00 PM EDT. The call will feature Patricia Shiu, Director, Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, U.S. Department of Labor. Director Shiu will be discussing the Administration’s implementation of the Section 503 regulations and efforts to improve employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Live Captioning will be available for the call.
Assistant Secretary Martinez Discusses Disability Employment During NDEAM
On October 17, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Disability Employment Policy Kathy Martinez was in the Sunshine State, where she spoke at an “Esteemed Employee Awards” ceremony and luncheon hosted by Miami-Dade’s Spinal Cord Living‐Assistance Development, Inc. Held as part of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, the awards honored 10 employees with disabilities living and working in South Florida. Then Martinez visited federal employees in Washington, DC, at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation on October 20 and the U.S. Mint on October 21. She provided keynote addresses at each agency’s disability awareness training event.
Assistant Secretary Martinez Records Video on Employment of Older Persons Who Are Visually Impaired
In honor of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, Kathy Martinez, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Disability Employment Policy, was featured in a video for VisionAware. The video focused on employment of older workers who are visually impaired. VisionAware, a service of the American Foundation for the Blind, helps adults who are losing their sight continue to live full and independent lives by providing timely information, step-by-step daily living techniques, a directory of national and local services, and a supportive online community.
Assistant Secretary Martinez Named One of the 2014 HispanicBusiness.com 50 Influentials
HispanicBusiness.com has named its 50 Influentials for 2014, and Kathy Martinez, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Disability Employment Policy, is among them. Other notables on the list come from the business world, academia, sports, entertainment and the federal government.
EEOC to Hold Twitter Chat on Disability Employment in the Federal Sector – October 28, 2:00-3:00 PM EDT
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) will hold a live Twitter chat on Tuesday, October 28, 2:00-3:00 PM EDT. In commemoration of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, the interactive online forum will focus on the federal government as a model employer of people with disabilities. EEOC Chair Jenny Yang and Commissioner Chai Feldblum will answer questions during the hour-long chat. Members of the public are encouraged to participate by submitting questions using the hashtag #EEOC4NDEAM. The EEOC invites queries regarding the hiring, promotion and retention of people with disabilities in the federal government and suggestions on how agencies can increase the number of people with disabilities in the federal workforce. The EEOC will conduct the chat using the agency’s official Twitter handle @EEOCNEWS. During the Twitter chat, Commissioner Feldblum will be using her personal Twitter handle @chaifeldblum.