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Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
For more information call: 202-693-4940
New features have been added to a government Web site to
help employers do a better job employing workers with disabilities and to help
journalists do a better job reporting on issues that affect those with
disabilities. The new Employers' Resource section and Media Resource section
have been added to www.disAbility.gov.
"At a time when our nation is experiencing record levels of
employment, the unemployment rate is unacceptably high for individuals with
disabilities," Secretary of Labor Alexis M. Herman said. "This Web portal is
another tool to support employers and job seekers in the effort to increase the
employment rate."
Secretary Herman chairs the Presidential Task Force on
Employment of Adults with Disabilities, which was established in 1998 to create
a coordinated and aggressive strategy to increase the employment of people with
disabilities to a rate as close as possible to that of the general population.
The Web site, announced by President Clinton on the 10th
Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act in July, offers a vast array
of resources for individuals with disabilities, including information about
health, housing, education, transportation, recreation and employment. The new
Employers' Resource section provides businesses access to information that
facilitates recruiting, hiring and making easy, low-cost accommodations for
employees with disabilities. The new Media Resource section will offer
journalists and broadcasters information on appropriate language for reporting
about people with disabilities, interviewing tips, and a growing bibliography
of publications and films that depict the disability experience.
Already, disAbility.gov has been accessed by more than
120,000 people and has won acclaim from other Web sites. CBS.com has listed
disAbility.gov as one of the 100 most useful Web services in America. A recent
study by the Harris Research Group indicates that adults with disabilities
spend twice as much time on the Internet as individuals without disabilities.
The survey also found that adults with disabilities are much more likely to
report that the Internet has significantly improved the quality of their lives.
Despite today's robust economy, citizens with disabilities
are continually under-represented in the nation's work force. Only three of
every 10 people with disabilities are working full or part time; eight of every
10 who are not disabled are actively employed
The task force chaired by Secretary Herman is currently
collaborating with leading Internet dot-com employment businesses such as
BrassRing.com, Headhunter.net, Monster.com, and Webhire.com to integrate
disability related employment support tools into their services. Addition of
these tools will not only assist the dot-coms' employer customers in recruiting
and hiring people with disabilities, but will also provide job candidates with
pre-employment tools such as resume writers and links to federal government job
search services.
"We are pleased that some of America's most successful
online employment companies have made it a priority to help employers benefit
from the contributions that employees with disabilities can bring to business,"
said Becky Ogle, executive director of the task force. "We hope others will
join us in our effort."
"Monster.com is excited to be part of this comprehensive
Web portal for individuals with disabilities. We are committed to providing the
services and tools that enhance career potential for all job seekers," said
Jeff Taylor, CEO of Monster.com. "Working with the Presidential Task Force on
Employment of Adults with Disabilities allows Monster.com to further strengthen
its mission of empowering people who want more out of their career and their
life."
"We are extremely pleased to be able to participate in this
worthy endeavor. The technology industry has proven itself to be an area where
people with disabilities can truly excel," said James Sale, Executive Vice
President of BrassRing.com.
The Presidential Task Force on Employment of Adults with
Disabilities was established by executive order of President Clinton in March
of 1998. The Task Force consists of the heads of 18 government agencies. Tony
Coelho serves as vice chair. Information about the Task Force also is available
at www.disAbility.gov.
Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
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