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Initiatives and Accomplishments
Read the ODEP Accomplishments 2009-2012 report (PDF)
Accessible Technology Action Center Grant
ODEP awards a grant to a consortium led by the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA) to establish the Accessible Technology Action Center (ATAC), a national resource that will facilitate and promote the use of accessible technology in the hiring, employment, retention and career advancement of individuals with disabilities.
Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Agreement
ODEP signs a memorandum of agreement with the Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities to expand and promote integrated employment as the first employment option for individuals with significant disabilities.
Add Us In Small Business Stakeholder Engagement Meeting
ODEP convenes Add Us In grantees and small business leaders for a Small Business Stakeholder Engagement Meeting to identify and develop strategies for increasing the capacity of small businesses to employ youth and adults with disabilities.
Aging Workforce, Medical Professionals and Employment Symposium
ODEP convenes a symposium on "The Aging Workforce: The Role of Medical Professionals in Helping Older Workers and Workers with Disabilities to Stay at Work or Return to Work and Remain Employed." The event gathers employed individuals with disabilities along with representatives of health care companies, medical educational institutions and foundations that are experts on the aging workforce, employment and disability employment issues.
Aging Workforce and the Public Workforce System Report
ODEP produces a report highlighting the challenges that older workers face; describes how the U.S. public workforce system serves these older workers; and makes policy, program and research recommendations aimed at improving the effectiveness of the U.S. public workforce system in serving this population.
Alliance Agreement with Customs and Border Protection
ODEP signs an Alliance Agreement with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CPB), making CBP the first Federal agency to partner with ODEP to advance President Obama's executive order to increase Federal hiring of people with disabilities.
Apprenticeship Initiative
ODEP launches a new webpage on its apprenticeship initiative.
Assistive Technology Industry Association Alliance
ODEP signs an Alliance Agreement with the Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA) to promote effective policies and practices regarding assistive technology and information and communications technology accessibility to advance the employment of people with disabilities.
"AT Works" Educational Series
ODEP's Accessible Technology in the Workplace Initiative hosts a series of "AT Works" educational events — free webcasts and webinars that explore the connection between emerging technologies and the employment of people with disabilities.
"Because" Public Service Announcement (PSA)
The ODEP-funded Campaign for Disability Employment produces a television public service announcement (PSA) entitled, "Because," as a sequel to the award-winning "I Can" PSA. This new production emphasizes the importance of expectation in promoting good employment outcomes for youth with disabilities.
"Business Strategies that Work"
ODEP announces the availability of "Business Strategies that Work: A Framework for Disability Inclusion," a how-to guide for employers who want to ensure their workplaces are diverse and inclusive. The resource identifies promising employment policies and practices for recruiting, hiring, retaining and advancing qualified individuals with disabilities.
CMS-led Training Series for DOL Employees
ODEP and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) collaboratively facilitate an educational series to increase the knowledge base of DOL policy leadership on the intersection between Medicaid and employment.
Current Population Survey (CPS) Disability Supplement
For the first time, ODEP and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) conduct a CPS Disability Supplement. The data gathered from this comprehensive Supplement provides new information on the demographics of the disability population, and data on the employment situation of people with disabilities.
Disability App Challenge
ODEP sponsors its first disability-related "app" challenge to generate innovative tools that will improve employment opportunities and outcomes for people with disabilities. Prizes are awarded to three winning apps that leveraged publicly available resources and employment data.
Disability Employment Initiative (DEI)
ODEP and DOL's Employment and Training Administration (ETA) jointly fund and administer DEI cooperative agreements to 16 states. In 2012, the DEI initiative expands to a third round of sites, which are encouraged to become Employment Networks (ENs), and to improve education, training opportunities and employment outcomes for youth and adults who are unemployed and/or receiving Social Security disability benefits.
Disability.gov 10th Anniversary and "What's Your Connection" Toolkit
To celebrate its 10th anniversary, Disability.gov launches the "What's Your Connection?" initiative, a grassroots movement using social media and grassroots tactics to spark conversations and build support for inclusion of people with disabilities in the workplace and in their communities.
Disability.gov Redesign
Disability.gov undergoes a website redesign based on comments and suggestions from its visitors.
Employment Assistance and Resource Network's (EARN) New Website
EARN, an ODEP-funded technical assistance center, unveils a new, one-stop website that connects employers to information and resources to help them recruit hire and retain individuals with disabilities.
Employer Strategies for Responding to an Aging Workforce
ODEP produces two reports exploring employer strategies to address the challenges of an aging workforce. One report addresses private-sector employers' experiences while the other focuses on the impact of federal policies on work incentives for mature workers with disabilities, as well as policies affecting older workers regardless of disability.
Employment First Community of Practice
Under its ePolicyWorks initiative, ODEP launches an Employment First Community of Practice (CoP) comprised of more than 200 state government participants across 25 states. The CoP includes a monthly webinar series as well as a virtual workspace where CoP participants can collaborate on related policy initiatives.
Employment First State Leadership Mentor Program
ODEP awards grants to four states — three "mentee" states (Iowa, Oregon, Tennessee) and one "mentor" state (Washington) — in an effort to help states align policies, regulations and funding priorities to encourage integrated employment as the primary outcome for individuals with significant disabilities. Among the many program outcomes, Iowa finalizes an interagency agreement across eight state agencies for operationalizing the state's Employment First initiative. In addition, Iowa issues an Executive Order emphasizing competitive, integrated employment as the preferred outcome for its citizens with disabilities. ODEP also develops a policy audit template to assist states in their Employment First efforts.
Executive Order 13548 Joint Memorandum
Secretary Solis and OPM Director John Berry sign a joint memorandum outlining resources for implementing Executive Order 13548 — Increasing the Federal Employment of People with Disabilities.
Federal Agency Employment Strategies: A Framework for Disability Inclusion
ODEP, working with OPM and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, develops and disseminates a synopsis of effective practices in Federal agencies' plans to implement Executive Order 13548, entitled Federal Agency Employment Strategies: A Framework for Disability Inclusion.
Federal Disability Employment Workshop
ODEP hosts a disability employment workshop for Federal staff, jointly planned with the White House, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and the American Association of People with Disabilities.
Framework for Implementing Accessible Information and Communications Technology (ICT)
ODEP's Accessible Technology in the Workplace Initiative unveils a paper to help employers develop a corporate-wide, comprehensive strategic plan for adopting and implementing accessible ICT corporate policies, practices and procedures in their own workplace.
Higher Education Sector Summit
ODEP collaborates with CUPA-HR, the association for HR professionals in higher education, to convene a sector summit in conjunction with the organization's annual conference.
Individualized Learning Plan Resources
The ODEP-funded National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth (NCWD/Youth) develops a webpage addressing the latest research, policies and practices related to Individualized Learning Plans (ILPs) — tools that secondary school students use to identify higher education and career goals and strategize how to achieve them. A featured resource on the page is "Promoting Quality Individualized Learning Plans: A 'How to Guide' Focused on the High School Years."
Institute on HIV/AIDS and Employment
In partnership with the National Working Positive Coalition, ODEP hosts an Institute on HIV/AIDS and Employment following the conclusion of the International AIDS Conference held in Washington, D.C.
Integrated Employment Partnership with DOL's Wage & Hour Division
In partnership with DOL's Wage and Hour Division, ODEP takes part in a regional compliance seminar series related to Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act, educating service providers and employers on the benefits of expanding existing business models to include the provision of employment supports that result in integrated employment outcomes for people with disabilities.
Job Accommodation Network Grant
DOL awards a grant to West Virginia University to continue funding a cooperative agreement to manage and operate the Job Accommodation Network (JAN), a national technical assistance center that facilitates the employment and retention of workers with disabilities.
Living with HIV/AIDS and Employment Resources
ODEP develops a suite of "Employment and Living with HIV/AIDS" resources to help individuals, employers and service providers understand issues related to HIV/AIDS and employment.
Manufacturing Sector Summit
ODEP and its Alliance partner, the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), co-host an industry sector summit to explore disability employment and the skills gap in the manufacturing industry. More than 300 human resource professionals in the manufacturing sector attend.
National Center on Leadership for the Employment and Advancement of People with Disabilities Grant
ODEP awards a grant to the National Disability Institute to establish the National Center on Leadership for the Employment and Advancement of People with Disabilities (LEAD Center), which will focus on improving employment outcomes and promoting the economic advancement of people with disabilities.
National Disability Employment Awareness Month Toolkit
ODEP launches an online toolkit to assist individuals and organizations to participate in the annual National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) observance.
National Employment First State Leadership Meeting
ODEP hosts the first National Employment First State Leadership Meeting, bringing together state officials from 20 states to receive high-impact technical assistance and engage in a multi-disciplinary discussion on the need for the establishment of a National Employment First Strategic Policy Framework.
National Industry Liaison Group Alliance
ODEP signs an Alliance Agreement with the National Industry Liaison Group (NILG) to promote the hiring of individuals with disabilities by the Federal contractor community.
National Organization of Nurses with Disabilities Alliance
ODEP signs an Alliance Agreement with the National Organization of Nurses with Disabilities (NOND), with the goal of supporting increased hiring of individuals with disabilities in the health care industry.
National Technical Assistance and Demonstration Center on Preparing Youth with Disabilities for Employment Grant
ODEP awards a grant to the Institute for Educational Leadership to manage and operate the new National Technical Assistance and Demonstration Center on Preparing Youth with Disabilities for Employment.
NGA Chair's "A Better Bottom Line" Initiative
ODEP contributes to the National Governors Association (NGA) Chair's 2012-2013 "A Better Bottom Line" initiative, which focuses on increasing the capacity of states to help businesses employ people with disabilities. As part of this, ODEP participates in a roundtable on leading experts in disability employment and advises on successful state-level policy initiatives, including Employment First.
Online Resources for Employers
ODEP unveils a new "Employers" topic webpage, offering resources and tools for employers as they develop and implement disability employment policies and practices in their workplaces.
Policy Development Think Tank: New Strategies for Successful Collaboration
ODEP hosts a webinar for Federal policymakers and national stakeholders on using new Web 2.0 tools to enhance policy development.
Promising Employment Practices for People with Disabilities Symposium
ODEP, in conjunction with OPM, EEOC, the Computer/Electronics Accommodations Program (CAP) and DOL's Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, convenes a training symposium titled "Promising Employment Practices for People with Disabilities" for Federal Selective Placement Coordinators and Disability Program Managers.
Schedule A Hiring Fact Sheet for Youth
ODEP releases a Schedule A Hiring Fact Sheet for Youth.The Schedule A hiring authority is one tool that can greatly benefit youth and young adults with disabilities who are seeking a job with the Federal government.
SocialGov Summit on Accessible Social Media
Together with the General Services Administration and the Department of Transportation, ODEP co-hosts the SocialGov Summit for more than 100 Federal social media managers, and forms a working group on the issue of accessible social media content.
Society for Human Resource Management Renewed Alliance
ODEP renews its Alliance Agreement with the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).
Soft Skills Educational Products
ODEP unveils "Skills to Pay the Bills: Mastering Soft Skills for Workplace Success," a curriculum and video series designed to strengthen the workforce readiness skills of young people looking to enter and succeed in the workforce.
State VR Agencies Adopt Customized Wage and Self-Employment Strategies
Three innovative state vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies in Texas, Florida and Ohio adopt customized wage and self-employment strategies, based on ODEP's Customized Employment evidence-based research, to better serve individuals with significant disabilities.
Training and Employment Notice on Transportation Services
DOL's Employment and Training Administration (ETA) and ODEP release a joint Training and Employment Notice (TEN) to provide successful strategies to the public workforce system for connecting individuals to transportation to jobs and training, and to help businesses access a diverse workforce.
U.S. Business Leadership Network Renewed Alliance
ODEP and the U.S. Business Leadership Network (USBLN) renew their Alliance Agreement to work together to improve employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
What Can YOU Do? Video Contest
The ODEP-funded Campaign for Disability Employment launches the second What can YOU Do? Video Contest to promote positive change and challenge misconceptions about disability employment. Winners are awarded in four categories.
Workforce Recruitment Program Resources
The Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP) releases new resources, including a toolkit designed to help Federal employers advance disability employment within their agencies; a series of videos to help all young people with disabilities navigate the job search process; and a job board to connect WRP students with Federal internships and jobs.
Workplace Flexibility Toolkit
In partnership with DOL's Women's Bureau, ODEP unveils the Workplace Flexibility Toolkit, an online collection of resources to help employees, job seekers, employers, policymakers and researchers learn more about workplace flexibility.
Workplace Flexibility-Universal Design Employer Demonstration Project
ODEP launches a demonstration project to provide technical assistance and training to three employers on providing workplace flexibility around not only time and place, but around tasks to promote recruitment, advancement and retention of people with complex employment situations.