WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the launch of the Veterans Accommodations Toolkit, a resource aimed at increasing employment rates and participation in apprenticeship programs for disabled American veterans. 

Released ahead of National Hire a Veteran Day and the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the toolkit supports the Trump Administration’s goals to combat the cost-of-living crisis and expand the number of Registered Apprenticeships to one million new active apprentices nationally.

Developed by the department’s Veterans’ Employment and Training Service and the Office of Disability Employment Policy, the Veterans Accommodations Toolkit offers tips and strategies on ways to enhance workplace supports and accommodations designed to facilitate the recruitment, hiring, training, and retention of disabled American veterans in apprenticeship and other employment settings. The toolkit includes resources that not only help disabled veterans, but also benefit employers, apprenticeship sponsors, and workforce development specialists.

“Our nation owes a debt of gratitude to the brave men and women who have sacrificed so much to secure our freedoms,” said Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer. “One of the most meaningful ways we can honor their service is by increasing employment opportunities for all veterans, including the disabled. By supporting our distinguished veterans through Registered Apprenticeships and other job opportunities, the Veterans Accommodations Toolkit will ensure they have every tool at their disposal to build valuable skills, earn a paycheck, and provide for themselves and their families.” 

Currently, more than 5 million American veterans aged 18 or older have service-connected disabilities. Each year, roughly 200,000 service members – including approximately 22,000 who have some type of disability – transition to the private sector and many remain unemployed after transition. The employment rate for working-age veterans with disabilities is 43.5%, compared to 79.8% for nondisabled veterans. The toolkit aims to help close this employment gap and get skilled, capable Americans back into the workforce.

Learn more about the Veterans Accommodations Toolkit.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced that its Office of Disability Employment Policy has chosen “Celebrating Value and Talent” as the theme for the 80th anniversary of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, which will be observed in October. 

NDEAM annually honors the contributions of America’s workers with disabilities and showcases supportive workplace policies and practices that benefit employees and employers alike. As part of the lead up to America’s 250th anniversary in 2026, this year’s observance will highlight the achievements of Americans with disabilities both past and present.

“Celebrating America means celebrating the value and talent that all Americans – including people with disabilities – add to our nation’s workplaces and communities,” said Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer. “As we approach the 80th anniversary of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, the Department of Labor remains committed to ensuring all people have the opportunity to find meaningful work.”

In 1945, the nation first designated a national week to recognize the contribution of people with physical disabilities. Designated by Congress as NDEAM in 1988, the commemoration evolved to acknowledge the importance of increasing the number of people with disabilities in the workforce. In 2001, ODEP was created and was given responsibility for NDEAM and for selecting and helping promote its annual theme.

For more information about NDEAM, visit www.dol.gov/ndeam. The annual NDEAM poster is expected to be available in summer.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced senior political appointees who will help Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer execute President Donald Trump’s mission of putting American workers and retirees first.

Bureau of International Labor Affairs

John Clark will serve as policy advisor to the Bureau of International Labor Affairs. Most recently, he worked on trade, transportation, and China policy matters at a Washington, D.C.-based industry association. Clark is a graduate of the University of Hawaii at Manoa William S. Richardson School of Law and Florida State University. 

Employment and Training Administration

Amy Simon will serve as principal deputy assistant secretary of the Employment and Training Administration. Previously, Simon was founder and owner of the boutique consulting firm, Simon Advisory. From 2019 to 2021, she served as chief of staff and acting deputy assistant secretary for the Employment and Training Administration in the first Trump Administration.

Marek Laco will serve as the agency’s chief of staff. Most recently, Laco led workforce development policy as a staff member for the Committee on Education and the Workforce in the U.S. House of Representatives. He has worked for several members of Congress and spent time at the U.S. Department of Education during the first Trump Administration before serving as deputy chief of staff for Rep. Elise Stefanik. 

Occupational Health and Safety Administration

Amanda Wood Laihow will serve as the deputy assistant secretary for the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Most recently, she served as a commissioner to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission during the first Trump Administration. Wood Laihow was the director of labor and employment policy for the National Association of Manufacturers and served as deputy general counsel on the U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee and as an assistant general counsel at the U.S. General Services Administration. Wood Laihow holds a J.D. from the University of Maine School of Law and her B.A. in Political Science from the University of New Hampshire. 

Michael Asplen will serve as OSHA’s senior policy advisor. He previously served as chief counsel to Commissioner Laihow at the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. Before that, he was a counsel at the Consumer Product Safety Commission, managed Littler Mendelson’s Workplace Policy Institute, and was a policy associate at the National Association of Manufacturers. Asplen earned his B.A. in English as St. Mary’s College of Maryland and his J.D. from the Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law. 

Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs

Joe MacFarlane will serve as senior legislative officer for the department’s Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs. Most recently, he served as legislative director for Secretary Chavez-DeRemer during her tenure in the U.S. House of Representatives, where he focused on managing the day-to-day legislative operations and team. Before that, he served as legislative assistant for Rep. Rick Crawford focusing on agricultural issues, and as legislative correspondent/staff assistant for the late Rep. Jackie Walorski. A Rochester, New York native, MacFarlane holds bachelor’s degrees in Political Science and International Affairs from the University of Georgia.

Office of Disability Employment Policy

Brian Walsh will serve as a senior policy advisor in the Office of Disability Employment Policy. Before this appointment, he was a labor policy advisor with the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Walsh served at the White House in the first Trump Administration and the Department of Labor. He holds a B.A. in Political Science from the University of New Orleans and a Master of Public Policy from George Mason University.

Office of Labor-Management Standards

Elisabeth Messenger will serve as director of the department’s Office of Labor-Management Standards. Most recently, she served as executive director of Gevura Fund. She has also held leadership positions at non-profit organizations focused on advancing free market policies and protecting the First Amendment rights of public employees as well as positions with several technology companies. After earning her B.A. in Journalism from the University of South Carolina, her career began in the publicity department of Atlantic Records. 

Office of Public Affairs

Courtney Parella will serve as deputy assistant secretary in the department’s Office of Public Affairs. After driving messaging strategy for members of Congress and the Committee on House Administration, she worked on President Trump’s 2020 re-election campaign and at the National Republican Congressional Committee. Most recently, she served as the director of communications for Congressional Leadership Fund and its sister organization, American Action Network.

Aaron Britt will serve as chief of staff in the Office of Public Affairs. He worked on Capitol Hill for four years before his appointment, most recently serving as communications director for former Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer and as press secretary for Sen. Chuck Grassley. Britt’s career began in his home state, where he oversaw media relations and strategy at the Republican Party of Iowa during the 2020 election cycle.

Office of the Secretary

Jihun Han will serve as Department of Labor’s chief of staff. He was Secretary Chavez-DeRemer’s chief of staff during her tenure in the U.S. House of Representatives and ran her successful congressional bid in 2022. Han has extensive experience working in local, state, and national politics, including as campaign manager and chief of staff for numerous members and candidates in the Oregon legislature. He also worked in political affairs for the Oregon Association of Realtors and Evergreen Oregon PAC.

Rebecca Wright will serve as the department’s deputy chief of staff. She served as Secretary Chavez-DeRemer’s district director in Oregon and as deputy campaign manager for Christine Drazan’s gubernatorial campaign. She also worked as a senior staffer for the Oregon House Republican Caucus under House Republican Leader Drazan.

Courtney Walter will serve as senior counselor in the Office of the Secretary. She served at the U.S. Department of Labor in the first Trump Administration in various capacities, including as senior counsel in the Office of the Solicitor. Most recently, Walter practiced law in the private sector, focusing on labor and employment matters. She is a graduate of the Pennsylvania State University and Florida International University College of Law. 

Colton Duncan will serve as the White House liaison for the U.S. Department of Labor. A political strategist and digital media entrepreneur, he has served as president and CEO of Ninja Digital and as senior advisor to Kari Lake. A native of Lubbock, Texas, Duncan is a proud alumnus of Turning Point USA.

Peyton Smith will serve as director of scheduling in the Office of the Secretary. Most recently, she served as the director of operations to Secretary during her time as representative for Oregon’s 5th District in the U.S. House of Representatives for the 118th Congress. She is a graduate of the University of Georgia and holds a degree in Political Science.

Office of the Solicitor

On Feb. 24, 2025, Jonathan Snare was appointed as deputy solicitor of labor. He is rejoining the department after serving as partner in the Washington, D.C. office of Morgan Lewis & Bockius in the labor/employment practice group from 2009 to 2024. During his tenure at Department of Labor between 2003 and 2009, Snare served in several roles, including acting assistant secretary for OSHA and deputy assistant secretary, as well as deputy solicitor and acting solicitor in 2007. Before joining the department, he was in private law practice in Dallas. A native of Indianapolis, Snare graduated from the University of Virginia and obtained a law degree from Washington & Lee University School of Law.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced that 13 states and the District of Columbia will participate as “core states” in fiscal year 2025 in its National Expansion of Employment Opportunities Network initiative, enabling government agencies in these states to receive capacity-building support, policy development assistance and ongoing mentoring to increase competitive integrated employment for people with disabilities.

The recently selected states are Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon and Tennessee, in addition to the District of Columbia.

The selections will complement existing partnerships between the department’s Office of Disability Employment Policy and five state intermediary organizations that joined the NEON initiative in fiscal year 2023 and five national provider organizations that have participated in NEON since it began in fiscal year 2020. These organizations work with the initiative on key issues at the national, state and local levels to increase competitive integrated employment for people with disabilities. 

“By supporting the new core states and maintaining our partnerships with national and state organizations, the NEON initiative will continue to advance policies and practices to make competitive integrated employment a reality for more disabled people, especially for individuals with significant disabilities,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Disability Employment Policy Taryn M. Williams. “Our goal is to increase access to jobs that pay competitive wages, offer equal opportunities for advancement and ensure that disabled people succeed in workplaces alongside other workers both with and without disabilities.”

The five state intermediary organizations currently engaged in the NEON initiative include the Association of People Supporting Employment First and the Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation, both in Rockville, Maryland; the National Association of Medicaid Directors in Washington, D.C.; and the National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services and the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors, both located in Alexandria, Virginia. 

The five national provider organizations participating in NEON include ACCSES and The Arc, both in Washington, D.C.; the American Network of Community Options and Resources in Alexandria, Virginia; the Association of People Supporting Employment First in Rockville, Maryland; and SourceAmerica in Vienna, Virginia.

ODEP has administered the NEON initiative since its 2019 launch and contracts with Economic Systems Inc. in Falls Church, Virginia, for services needed to support the initiative.

WASHINGTON – As the nation marks National Disability Employment Awareness Month, the U.S. Department of Labor today announced the availability of a new tool that provides access to more than 700 accommodation ideas for workers with disabilities and their employers.

The “Situations and Solutions Finder” offers examples of workplace accommodations shared by users of the Job Accommodation Network, a service of the department’s Office of Disability Employment Policy. The database draws its examples from organizations large and small, across industries, and from the private and public sectors. The tool allows users to filter and save results by disability, limitation and/or occupation. 

An accommodation is a modification to the work environment or how a job is typically done that enables a qualified person with a disability to enjoy equal employment opportunities. The Americans with Disabilities Act requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations for disabled applicants and employees, when requested, unless doing so would cause an undue hardship.

“Accommodations are at the heart of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and they’re about maximizing productivity for workers with disabilities, plain and simple,” said Assistant Secretary for Disability Employment Policy Taryn M. Williams. “By allowing people to learn what has worked for others in similar, even if not exactly the same, situations, this new resource empowers employers, as well as employees or job applicants themselves, to ensure disabled workers have access to what they need to do their best on the job.”

Not all examples of accommodations in the Situations and Solutions Finder may be effective for every person or workplace, as accommodations are unique to each individual, but common patterns exist to assist employers and workers in assessing options. 

Funded by ODEP, the Job Accommodation Network is the leading source of free, expert and confidential guidance on workplace accommodations and other disability employment issues. A survey of JAN data from employers between 2019 and 2024 finds nearly half of reported accommodations for workers with disabilities can be made at no cost and that the median cost for those that require a one-time expense is $300. 

Learn more at AskJAN.org. 

Learn more at dol.gov/ODEP.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the publication of the AI & Inclusive Hiring Framework, a new tool designed to support the inclusive use of artificial intelligence in employers’ hiring technology and increase benefits to disabled job seekers. 

Published by the Partnership on Employment & Accessible Technology, the framework will help employers reduce the risks of creating unintentional forms of discrimination and barriers to accessibility as they implement AI hiring technology. Funded by the department’s Office of Disability Employment Policy, the initiative will also help workers and job seekers navigate the potential benefits and challenges they may face when encountering AI-enabled technologies.

PEAT’s framework is based on the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s AI Risk Management Framework and includes NIST’s best practices for inclusive hiring. ODEP and PEAT developed the framework with input from disability advocates, AI experts, government and industry leaders and the public at large. The framework has 10 focus areas, including practices, goals and sample activities that employers can adopt in their AI governance and disability-inclusive hiring initiatives. Each area has information on maximizing benefits and managing risks for workers and job seekers when an organization assesses, acquires or deploys an AI hiring technology.

“The Office of Disability Employment Policy works with many employers eager to hire people with disabilities and benefit from their talents,” said Assistant Secretary for Disability Employment Policy Taryn Williams. “These employers recognize that AI tools can improve recruitment and hiring but may also impact workplace culture and inclusion of disabled employees. The AI & Inclusive Hiring Framework published today charts a clear course for employers to navigate this transformation successfully.” 

The framework’s foundation was laid during a PEAT Think Tank in April 2023 and developed with additional input gathered in discussions with experts, listening sessions and a national online public dialogue. ODEP and PEAT authored the framework in collaboration with NIST and other external partners. 

The initiative aligns with the Biden-Harris administration’s commitment to prevent AI-powered employment tools from hindering U.S. workers’ employment prospects. In October 2022, the White House’s Office of Science and Technology Policy released its Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights to promote more equitable and inclusive digital hiring practices with workers with disabilities and other underserved communities.

Managed by Wheelhouse Group, PEAT helps workplaces procure, implement and use disability-inclusive technology.

WASHINGTON – The Department of Labor today announced that its Office of Disability Employment Policy has chosen “Access to Good Jobs for All” as the theme for National Disability Employment Awareness Month, which will be observed in October. 

NDEAM annually celebrates the contributions of the nation’s disabled workers and showcases supportive, inclusive policies and practices that benefit employees and employers alike. 

“Our theme in 2024, ‘Access to Good Jobs for All,’ speaks to our commitment to expand the number of employment opportunities for people with disabilities and the quality of those opportunities,” explained Assistant Secretary for Disability Employment Policy Taryn M. Williams. “Good jobs change lives and all workers — including disabled people — deserve the opportunity to prepare for success in high-quality, good-paying jobs in workplaces free of discrimination.”

In 1945, the nation first designated a national week to recognize the contribution of people with physical disabilities. Designated by Congress as NDEAM in 1988, the commemoration evolved to acknowledge the importance of increasing the number of people with disabilities in the workforce. In 2001, ODEP was created and was given responsibility for NDEAM and for selecting and helping promote its annual theme.

Learn more about NDEAM and how organizations can participate. 

ODEP provides leadership, develops policy and initiatives, and awards grants to increase the number and quality of employment opportunities for people with disabilities. 

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the award of $10.5 million to fund the first year of four, five-year cooperative agreements aimed at developing strategies to assist youth and young adults with disabilities — particularly in underserved communities — in successfully transitioning into the workforce.

The awards have been granted to the Connecticut Department of Labor, Kansas Department of Commerce, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development and the New York Department of Labor.

Administered by the department’s Office of Disability Employment Policy and the Employment and Training Administration, the Equitable Transition Model Demonstration grants support efforts to identify evidence-based solutions that enhance the training and employment prospects of disabled youth and young adults. Each award recipient will focus on specific populations, determined through data analysis and needs assessments. 

“The Department of Labor is committed to ensuring that all young people access the opportunities they deserve and achieve the success they desire,” said Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su. “These historic investments exemplify the department’s bold and transformative actions to improve the education and employment outcomes of young people with disabilities, particularly those from historically underserved communities.”

These cooperative agreements align with the Biden-Harris administration’s commitment to a more inclusive workforce and will provide up to $67.1 million in funding, contingent upon the awardees’ workplans and federal funding availability.

“We know that youth and young adults with disabilities face systemic barriers to finding and thriving in employment, and for those from historically underserved communities, the barriers can be multiplied and multifaceted,” said Assistant Secretary for Disability Employment Policy Taryn M. Williams. “These cooperative agreements will help us identify the most effective strategies for dismantling these barriers, ensuring all young people with disabilities are supported and empowered to successfully navigate the transition from school to college or a career.” 

Learn more about ODEP.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today introduced new resource aimed at boosting the participation of people with disabilities in competitive integrated employment.

The Competitive Integrated Employment Transformation Hub brings together resources from across the federal government to provide practical guidance, policy information and evidence-based best practices for people with disabilities, their families, employers, employment service providers and state agencies. Competitive integrated employment ensures that people with disabilities are paid competitive wages and work in environments where the majority of employees do not have disabilities.

“A large and dedicated movement across America is working to advance a competitive integrated employment model in our workplaces, and we want to give them easy access to resources that will help them succeed,” said Assistant Secretary for Disability Employment Policy Taryn M. Williams. “Families and workers need guidance on benefits planning and wraparound services, for instance. Providers need technical assistance to adapt their service delivery models. State agencies need information about funding options. Employers need support regarding accommodations and inclusive policies and practices. The Competitive Integrated Employment Transformation Hub is a central tool they can all rely on for help.”

The hub is part of the Office of Disability Employment Policy's broader effort to promote competitive integrated employment. Through various innovative initiatives, ODEP collaborates with federal partners, states and employment service providers to enhance opportunities for people with disabilities to participate and excel in competitive integrated employment.

These initiatives align with the Biden-Harris administration’s commitment to a whole-of-government approach to enhance the economic security of disabled people, including those from historically underserved communities. Additionally, the hub contributes to the administration’s Good Jobs Initiative, offering essential information to workers, employers and government entities focused on improving job quality and ensuring universal access to good jobs.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced that 12 states and the District of Columbia will participate as “core states” in fiscal year 2024 in its National Expansion of Employment Opportunities Network initiative, enabling government agencies in these states to receive consulting, capacity-building support and ongoing mentoring to increase competitive integrated employment for people with disabilities.

The recently selected states are California, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina and Tennessee, in addition to the District of Columbia.

The selections will complement existing partnerships between the department’s Office of Disability Employment Policy and six state intermediary organizations that joined the NEON initiative in FY 2023. These organizations assist the initiative with key issues at the national, state and local levels that impact state governments’ abilities to increase competitive integrated employment for people with disabilities.

“With the selection of 12 states and the District of Columbia as ‘core states’ and the continued partnership with state intermediary organizations, we can continue to accelerate needed policy change and make competitive integrated employment a reality for more disabled people,” explained Assistant Secretary for Disability Employment Policy Taryn Williams. “Advancing strategies such as blending, braiding and sequencing of funding, strategic planning, benefits counseling and effective data analysis will allow us to achieve greater workplace equity.”

The six state intermediary organizations currently engaged in the NEON initiative are the Association of People Supporting Employment First and the Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation, both in Rockville, Maryland; the National Association of Medicaid Directors in Washington, D.C.; the National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services and the National Association of State Directors of Special Education and the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors, all located in Alexandria, Virginia.

ODEP has administered the NEON initiative since its 2019 launch, and contracts with Economic Systems Inc. of Falls Church, Virginia, for services needed to support the initiative.