WASHINGTON—The deadline for nominations for the 2005 Secretary of Labor's New Freedom Initiative award has been extended to June 6. The award honors non-profits, small businesses, corporations and individuals for advancing the employment and workplace environment of people with disabilities.

The Award recognizes public-private partnerships and programs that have had a positive impact on the employment of people with disabilities through access to assistive technologies, the use of innovative training, and hiring and retention techniques. It also recognizes organizations, businesses or individuals who develop comprehensive strategies to enhance the ability of Americans with disabilities to enter and advance within the workforce of the 21st Century.

Additional information on the award and specific nomination criteria are available in the Feb. 10 Federal Register or at www.dol.gov/odep under the New Freedom Initiative tab. The information is also available by calling the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), Education and Outreach Section, at (202) 693-7880.

President Bush introduced the New Freedom Initiative on Feb. 1, 2001 within a month of taking office. The initiative contains a comprehensive set of proposals designed to ensure that Americans with disabilities have the opportunity to learn and develop skills, engage in productive work, make choices about their daily lives and participate fully in their communities. ODEP has primary responsibility for implementing the employment-related aspects of the New Freedom Initiative.

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Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.

WASHINGTON—Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao issued a reminder today of the May 27 deadline for nominations for the 2005 New Freedom Initiative award. The award recognizes non-profits, small businesses, corporations and individuals that have demonstrated exemplary and innovative efforts in advancing the employment and workplace environment of people with disabilities.

President Bush and I believe that Americans with disabilities, like all Americans, should have the opportunity to work and to live productive lives, said Secretary Chao. The recipients of the Secretary of Labor's New Freedom Initiative Awards recognize that persons with disabilities bring skills and talents to the workplace and, when given the opportunity, can contribute substantially to an organization's success.

The Award recognizes public-private partnerships and programs that have had a positive impact on the employment of people with disabilities through access to assistive technologies, the use of innovative training, and hiring and retention techniques. It also recognizes organizations, businesses or individuals who develop comprehensive strategies to enhance the ability of Americans with disabilities to enter and advance within the workforce of the 21st Century.

Additional information on the award and specific nomination criteria are available in the Feb. 10 Federal Register or at www.dol.gov/odep under the New Freedom Initiative tab. The information is also available by calling the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), Education and Outreach Section, at (202) 693-7880. The deadline for receipt of nominations is May 27 (mailing deadline is May 22).

President Bush introduced the New Freedom Initiative on Feb. 1, 2001 within a month of taking office. The initiative contains a comprehensive set of proposals designed to ensure that Americans with disabilities have the opportunity to learn and develop skills, engage in productive work, make choices about their daily lives and participate fully in their communities. ODEP has primary responsibility for implementing the employment-related aspects of the New Freedom Initiative.

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Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.

WASHINGTON—A free database that identifies 1,913 qualified college students and recent graduates with disabilities who seek summer and fulltime employment is available for the tenth year to public and private sector employers to help them meet their staffing needs.

The Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP) offers employers a larger pool of skilled job candidates to choose from while offering students and graduates with disabilities more opportunity to explore or begin careers, said Roy Grizzard, assistant secretary of labor for disability employment policy. The program also fulfills President Bush's New Freedom Initiative pledge to promote employment opportunities for people with disabilities throughout the nation.

The department's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) is offering the WRP database of job seekers with disabilities in cooperation with the Department of Defense. Through ODEP's complimentary CD-ROM database, employers can search from a pool of pre-screened applicants who have skills in disciplines ranging from computer sciences and business to communications, engineering, office administration and more. Searches generate candidate profiles, academic and demographic data, and contact information for students from more than 200 colleges and universities in over 45 states and territories. To request a copy of the CD-ROM, send your name, company name, address and phone number to wrp@dol.gov or call ODEP at (202) 693-7880.

ODEP's portfolio of assets for employers also includes the Job Accommodation Network (JAN) and the Employer Assistance & Recruiting Network (EARN). JAN is a toll-free information and referral service on job accommodations, self-employment and small business opportunities for people with disabilities and can be reached at 1-800-526-7234 or at www.jan.wvu.edu. EARN, a national toll-free telephone and electronic information referral service, helps employers who have job vacancies to find and recruit qualified workers with disabilities in their localities. EARN can be reached at 1-866-Earn Now (1-866-327-6669) or via its website (www.earnworks.com). ODEP's website is available to employers and employees at www.dol.gov/odep, as is www.DisabilityInfo.Gov, a cross-government portal on disability-related information.

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Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.

WASHINGTON—Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao today called upon non-profits, small businesses, corporations and individuals that have demonstrated exemplary and innovative efforts in advancing the employment and workplace environment of people with disabilities to submit their entries for the 2005 Secretary of Labor's New Freedom Initiative Award.

President Bush and I believe that Americans with disabilities, like all Americans, should have the opportunity to work and to live productive lives, said Secretary Chao. The recipients of the Secretary of Labor's New Freedom Initiative Awards recognize that persons with disabilities bring skills and talents to the workplace and, when given the opportunity, can contribute substantially to an organization's success.

The Award recognizes public-private partnerships and programs that have had a positive impact on the employment of people with disabilities through access to assistive technologies, the use of innovative training, and hiring and retention techniques. It also recognizes organizations, businesses or individuals who develop comprehensive strategies to enhance the ability of Americans with disabilities to enter and advance within the workforce of the 21st Century.

Additional information on the award and specific nomination criteria are available in the February 10, 2005 Federal Register or at www.dol.gov/odep under the New Freedom Initiative tab. The information is also available by calling the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), Education and Outreach Section, at (202) 693-7880. The deadline for receipt of nominations is May 27, 2005 (mailing deadline is May 22, 2005).

President Bush introduced the New Freedom Initiative on Feb. 1, 2001 within a month of taking office. The initiative contains a comprehensive set of proposals designed to ensure that Americans with disabilities have the opportunity to learn and develop skills, engage in productive work, make choices about their daily lives and participate fully in their communities. ODEP has primary responsibility for implementing the employment-related aspects of the New Freedom Initiative.

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Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.

WASHINGTON—U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao has selected “You’re Hired! Success Knows No Limitations!” as the official theme for October’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

“The theme, ‘You’re Hired! Success Knows No Limitations!’ emphasizes one of President George Bush’s top priorities—economic opportunity through job creation,” said Secretary Chao. “It also builds upon the accomplishments of the President’s New Freedom Initiative which has created many opportunities for persons with disabilities to be fully included in the 21st Century workforce.”

The Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) specifically addresses policies that impact the employment of people with disabilities. It acts as a catalyst to stimulate new ideas about employment through research and development, policy analysis, grant awards, technical assistance and the promotion of effective business practices.

“People with disabilities are an untapped source of both capable employees and valued customers.” said Roy Grizzard, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Disability Employment Policy (ODEP). “The theme ‘You’re Hired! Success Knows No Limitations!’ will help federal, state and local governments, advocacy groups and the business community plan events and programs throughout October’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month that highlight the talents and skills of job seekers and working Americans who have disabilities.”

Background: Public Law 176, enacted by Congress in 1945, designated the first week in October as “National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week.” President Harry S. Truman designated the President’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities to carry out the law. Congress changed the name to “National Disability Employment Awareness Month” in 1988. The responsibility for leading the nationwide recognition was transferred to ODEP in 2001.

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Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.

Washington—U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao and U.S. Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld today urged federal government agency heads to continue to enthusiastically support a Bush Administration program that has successfully placed hundreds of college students with disabilities in summer and permanent employment.

“The Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP) gives students with disabilities the opportunities they need to start successful careers,” said Secretary Chao. “The program also fulfills President Bush’s New Freedom Initiative pledge to promote employment opportunities for people with disabilities throughout the nation.”

In a joint memorandum, both Secretaries said “President Bush’s New Freedom Initiative calls for expanding employment opportunities for Americans with disabilities. The Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP) for College Students with Disabilities can help the federal government lead by example in achieving that goal. “Please encourage your selecting officials to consider the candidates referred through this program for career development opportunities and permanent employment.”

Last summer, more than 300 students and recent graduates with disabilities found summer or permanent jobs through WRP. The Labor Department estimates that because of the popularity of the program, that number will likely be exceeded by mid-summer 2004.

Through the WRP, the Labor Department’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), in cooperation with the Department of Defense, offers a database of almost 1,600 job seekers with disabilities on a complimentary CD-ROM. Private and public sector employers can search for potential applicants by field of study, state or school, in disciplines ranging from computer sciences and business to communications engineering and office administration. Searches generate candidate profiles, academic and demographic data and contact information from applications recruited by the program from more than 180 colleges and universities in over 40 states and territories. The CD-ROM and additional information are available from www.wrpjobs.com, or by contacting ODEP at (202) 693-7880, or at www.dol.gov/odep.

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Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.

WASHINGTON—The U.S. Labor Department’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) today released a report that gives federal officials and workers key advice and comprehensive recommendations on ensuring a safe and secure environment for the more than 120,000 employees with disabilities who work in buildings, regional offices or field locations owned or leased by the federal government.

The 80-page report, Emergency Preparedness for People with Disabilities: An Interagency Seminar of Exchange for Federal Managers, concludes that communicating with employees is paramount to developing, implementing and maintaining emergency plans that address the unique needs of employees with disabilities. It urges senior-level management “buy-in” and a total budget and personnel commitment by each agency. It recommends agencies build flexibility into their plans for evacuating and assisting people with disabilities by instituting backup emergency support plans. Finally, the report directs agencies to rigorously practice the plan with all employees so that they may become familiar with it and allow managers to evaluate the plan’s strengths and weaknesses and make improvements.

“The federal workplace should be a model workplace—one that assures a safe and secure environment for employees with disabilities,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao. “President Bush has challenged us to remove barriers that impede Americans with disabilities from leading full and independent lives.”

“There is no ‘One Size Fits All’ when it comes to emergency preparedness,” said ODEP Assistant Secretary Roy Grizzard. “Today’s report will help agencies create thorough and comprehensive emergency plans that provide for an appropriate course of action for all employees in an emergency situation.”

The report stems from a December 2-3, 2003 Labor Department conference on emergency preparedness for people with disabilities in the federal government. The conference, which was attended by 225 representatives from over 90 federal, state and local offices and agencies, was the first time that senior personnel from emergency preparedness, security, office safety and disability programs had gathered together to address emergency preparedness for federal employees with disabilities. Copies of the ODEP report are available from www.dol.gov/odep/pubs/ep/index.htm or by calling ODEP at (202) 693-7880 and requesting the report, Emergency Preparedness for People with Disabilities.

The Department of Labor has a sound bite available online in two formats at http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/audio/

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Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.

WASHINGTON—A free database that identifies almost 1,600 qualified college students and recent graduates with disabilities who seek summer and permanent job openings is being made available to government and private sector employers.

“The Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP) gives students with disabilities the opportunities they need to start successful careers,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao. “The program also fulfills President Bush’s New Freedom Initiative pledge to promote employment opportunities for people with disabilities throughout the nation.”

The department’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), in cooperation with the Department of Defense, is now offering the database of job seekers with disabilities through its Workforce Recruitment Program. Through ODEP’s complimentary CD-ROM database, employers can search for potential applicants by field of study, state or school, in disciplines ranging from computer sciences and business to communications engineering and office administration. Searches generate candidate profiles, academic and demographic data, and contact information from applications recruited by the program from more than 180 colleges and universities in over 40 states and territories. The CD-ROM and additional information are available from www.wrpjobs.com, or by contacting ODEP at (202) 693-7880.

“WRP applicants are a valuable resource to employers because they can undertake special projects postponed for lack of time or resources,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for ODEP, Roy Grizzard. “The program participants can assist permanent staff with important projects, share innovative technical skills and assume responsibilities of staff on vacation or leave.”

Other resources ODEP offers to business to employ people with disabilities are the Job Accommodation Network (JAN) and the Employer Assistance and Referral Network (EARN). JAN is a toll-free information and referral service on job accommodations, self-employment and small business opportunities for people with disabilities. It can be reached at 1-800-526-7234 or at www.jan.wvu.edu. EARN, a national toll-free telephone and electronic information referral service, helps employers who have job vacancies to locate and recruit qualified workers with disabilities in their localities. EARN can be reached at 1-866-Earn Now (1-866-327-6669) or via its Website (www.earnworks.com). ODEP also encourages employers and employees to access its website at www.dol.gov/odep and also www.DisabilityInfo.Gov, a cross-government portal on disability easily accessible to all Americans.

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Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.

WASHINGTON—Deputy Labor Secretary Steven J. Law said today that the Labor Department’s programs and policies are helping to reduce barriers to employment for those with disabilities.

In remarks at a meeting to release the Administration’s New Freedom Initiative Progress Report, Law said “the Department of Labor, under the leadership of Secretary Elaine L. Chao, is successfully fulfilling President Bush’s New Freedom Initiative goal that people with disabilities have full access to employment opportunities in the 21st Century workforce. We will continue to work to institute model programs and innovative approaches which promote increased employment of people with disabilities,” said Law. “As President Bush has said, we won’t be satisfied until every worker who wants a job can find one.”

On February 1, 2001, within two weeks of taking office, President Bush announced his New Freedom Initiative and laid out an aggressive plan to remove the stubborn barriers to equality that confront millions of Americans with disabilities. The New Freedom Initiative Progress Report, issued today, and available at www.whitehouse.gov, highlights how the Administration has addressed these barriers through programs and proposals that increase the development of and access to assistive and universally designed technologies, expand educational opportunities and further integrate Americans with disabilities into the workforce.

The Report highlights some of the steps taken by the Department under the New Freedom Initiative. These included:

• Launching www.DisabilityInfo.gov, a cross-government website on disability featuring information on assistive technology, Medicaid and Medicare and emergency preparedness. The site, managed by the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), received over 1.5 million users and 30 million hits.
• Awarding 42 Employment and Training Administration Work Incentive Grants totaling $17 million in FY 2003 to improve the One-Stop system for people with disabilities.
• Developing a New Freedom Small Business Initiative between the Department and Small Business Administration to assist people with disabilities in becoming small business owners and to educate small business owners about the benefits of hiring people with disabilities.
• Awarding $500,000 to eight recipients to provide home modifications as a means of expanding the community integration of individuals with disabilities through a program by the Department’s Center for Faith-based and Community Initiatives and ODEP.
• Placing 329 college students with disabilities in summer work programs in nineteen Federal agencies through ODEP’s Workforce Recruitment Program.

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Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.

Secretary of Labor’s New Freedom Initiative Award Recognizes Achievements of People with Disabilities

WASHINGTON—Five businesses, three non-profits, and one National Football League player today received the Secretary of Labor's annual New Freedom Initiative Award for service to people with disabilities.

“President Bush wants all Americans to have the opportunity to develop skills and engage in productive work,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao. “Recipients of the Secretary of Labor's New Freedom Initiative Award recognize the value that persons with disabilities bring to the workplace and that wisdom is reflected in their daily actions and operations.”

The Secretary of Labor's New Freedom Initiative Award recognizes exemplary and innovative efforts to train, recruit and hire people with disabilities and to incorporate the principles of President George W. Bush's New Freedom Initiative. Introduced in 2001, the New Freedom Initiative is a comprehensive set of proposals designed to give people with disabilities the opportunity to fully participate in all aspects of community life, including employment. Awardees were honored by Secretary Chao at a departmental ceremony.

Biographies on the awardees and additional information can be found at www.dol.gov/odep/newfreedom/nfi04.htm. The awardees were:

INDIVIDUAL:

• Michael John Maslowski, Linebacker Kansas City Chiefs, Overland Park, Kansas

NON-PROFITS :

• Marriott Foundation for People with Disabilities Washington, DC
• Project SEARCH Cincinnati, Ohio
• Salt Lake Community College Skills Center Projects With Industry Salt Lake City, Utah

BUSINESSES:

• A & F Wood Products Howell, Michigan
• Hewlett- Packard Company Palo Alto, California
• MBNA America Bank, N.A. Wilmington, Delaware
• Microsoft Corporation Redmond, Washington
• SunTrust Banks, Inc. Atlanta, Georgia

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Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.