As the nation's largest employer, the federal government must model effective employment policies and practices that advance America's ideal of equal opportunity for all.

Tools and Resources

Federal Agency Employment Strategies: A Framework for Disability Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) [PDF] — A guide that outlines promising and emerging employment strategies and practices for recruiting, hiring, advancing, and retaining qualified individuals with disabilities in federal agencies.

EARN's Mental Health Toolkit: Resources for Fostering a Mentally Healthy Workplace — This toolkit from the Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability Inclusion (EARN) provides background, tools and resources that can help employers learn more about mental health issues and cultivate a welcoming and supportive work environment for employees who may be facing mental health issues. It also presents an easy-to-follow framework for fostering a mental health-friendly workplace, all built around the "4 A's": Awareness, Accommodations, Assistance and Access.

  • Palm Card — This card illustrates the "4 A's" from EARN’s Mental Health Toolkit

ODEP Mental Health Topic Page — Information and resources on mental health in the workplace.

DOL's Mental Health at Work – Resources to help employers follow the law and create workplaces that prioritize mental health.

Service and Emotional Support Animals in the Workplace: What Federal Employers Should Know — This fact sheet provides federal employers with the key information they need to know about how to include and support employees with disabilities who use service and emotional support animals in the workplace.

Rule Implementing Section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act [PDF]: Section 501 requires federal agencies to establish an affirmative action program for the hiring, placement, and advancement of individuals with disabilities. This rule clarifies the obligations that Section 501 places on federal agencies as employers.

Section 501 Information Center - Explore all aspects of Section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act, which provides regulations for federal employment of people with disabilities and inclusion of disabled workers in the Federal Government workforce.

The Federal Government as a Model Employer of People with Disabilities [PDF]: This research-to-practice brief discusses how the federal government has worked to become a model employer of people with disabilities using impactful employment practices that can be replicated in any workplace.

Executive Order (EO) 14035: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) in the Federal Government Information Center - Learn more about EO 14035 and find tools to help your agency implement the EO's requirements.

The Workplace Mentoring Playbook [PDF]: This guide discusses workplace mentoring as a strategy to increase the retention, job performance, and career advancement of employees in all types of workplaces, including the federal workforce.

Special Hiring Authorities

Schedule A Hiring Authority — Hiring authority that allows federal agencies to hire people with certain targeted disabilities non-competitively.

The ABCs of Schedule A — Fact sheets from the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission that provide information on using the Schedule A hiring authority for a variety of audiences.

Resource Guide: Schedule A Excepted Service Hiring Authority for People with Disabilities - This resource guide provides policy guidance for federal agencies regarding how to use Schedule A to support inclusion of people with disabilities in the federal workforce.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Schedule A Excepted Service Hiring Authority for People with Disabilities - This FAQs document provides answers to frequently asked questions about using Schedule A to support employment of people with disabilities in the federal sector, including information about eligibility, documentation and certification, appointment options, and more.

Schedule A Hiring Fact Sheet for Youth [PDF] — Fact sheet explaining the Schedule A hiring authority to youth with disabilities who are seeking employment in the federal government.

Federal Hiring Authorities from a Disability Perspective – This document includes important information about hiring authorities federal agencies may use to hire people with disabilities, including those with targeted disabilities.

Special Hiring Authorities for Veterans — Information about special hiring authorities federal agencies can use to hire veterans, including disabled veterans.

Tips for Applicants with Disabilities Applying for Federal Jobs — Comprehensive information for people with disabilities on applying for federal jobs.

Best Practices

Federal Agency Employment Strategies: A Framework for Disability Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) [PDF] — A guide that outlines promising and emerging employment strategies and practices for recruiting, hiring, retaining and advancing qualified individuals with disabilities in federal agencies.

Federal Exchange on Employment and Disability (FEED) — An interagency working group focused on information sharing, best practices, and collaborative partnerships designed to make the federal government a model employer of people with disabilities. Membership is open to federal employees at any level whose job duties involve inclusion of people with disabilities, including recruitment, hiring, retention, and advancement.

Advancing & Retaining Federal Employees with Disabilities: The Case for Centralized Accommodation Programs & Funding – This document provides program and operational guidance regarding the advancement and retention of employees with disabilities and the benefits of a reasonable accommodation process.

Federal Agency Promising and Emerging Practices Facilitating Self-Identification of Disability [PDF] — The primary method used by federal agencies to count employees with disabilities is self-identification. It's important for federal agencies to develop and implement comprehensive strategies for facilitating self-identification of disability. This guide outlines effective policies, practices, and procedures for doing this.

Useful Links

Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Federal Employment of People with Disabilities Website — Provides information about federal disability hiring programs, reasonable accommodations in the federal workplaces, related laws and executive orders, and other resources.

Computer/Electronic Accommodations Program (CAP) — A centrally funded program that provides assistive technology (AT) and reasonable accommodations to Department of Defense (DoD) employees with disabilities and wounded Service members. CAP provides consultation services on AT and accommodations, including assessments, for all Federal agencies.

Job Accommodation Network (JAN) — ODEP-funded service that provides free, expert, and confidential guidance on workplace accommodations and other disability employment issues.

Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP) — A program that connects federal employers nationwide with highly motivated college students and recent graduates with disabilities who are seeking summer internships or permanent employment.

Emergency Preparedness — Guidance for federal agencies on ensuring their emergency preparedness plans consider the needs of employees and visitors with disabilities.

Directory of Federal Agency Affirmative Action Plans – A listing of federal agencies’ Affirmative Action Plans (AAPs), a management tool designed to ensure equal employment opportunity, including for people with disabilities.