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Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
For more information call: (202) 693-4650
The U.S. Labor Department's proposed 2001 budget includes funding for a
new Office on Disability Policy, Evaluation and Technical Assistance. Secretary
of Labor Alexis M. Herman said the new office will be charged with increasing
the employment rate of people with disabilities.
Secretary Herman discussed details of the department's proposed budget
for next year during a briefing in Washington Monday. She requested $21 million
to set up the disability office and said it would be headed by an assistant
secretary.
"This new office will provide leadership in helping people with
disabilities enter, reenter and remain in the workforce," Secretary Herman
said. "With the recent passage of the Workforce Incentives Improvement Act and
the Workforce Investment Act, the stage is set to achieve real change in the
unemployment rate for people with disabilities."
The Labor Department's new disability office would ensure that people
with disabilities get full consideration in all programs funded or managed by
the department; that the laws enforced by the department are evaluated to
remove any barriers that may exist for people with disabilities; and absorb the
President's Committee on the Employment of People With Disabilities, which
works with employers to develop strategies to employ persons with disabilities.
The Work Incentives Improvement Act makes it possible for millions of
people with disabilities to take jobs without losing their health care. The
Workforce Investment Act establishes a system of one-stop career centers
throughout the country and funds job training programs. The disability office
also would be directed to make sure that all services of the one-stop centers
are accessible for people with disabilities.
Currently only 29 percent of working age people with disabilities are
employed, though of those not working, 72 percent want to work. The
Presidential Task Force on the Employment of Adults With Disabilities
recommended that the Labor Department office be established to improve
opportunities for people with disabilities.
Task Force Executive Director Becky Ogle said that creating the office
"demonstrates the commitment to put people with disabilities to work."
Secretary Herman chairs the task force.
Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
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