US Labor Department briefs offer recommendations for responding to aging workforce

WASHINGTON — Providing accommodations to aging workers with disabilities, chronic health problems or reduced work capacity can help employers retain experienced staff who might otherwise leave the workforce prematurely, according to two briefs issued today by the U.S. Department of Labor.

The briefs provide recommendations for state and federal policymakers, employers and health care industry leaders on retaining critical talent. One identifies successful strategies, including supportive policies, for retaining aging health care professionals without sacrificing patient care. The other recommends that employers and policymakers adopt early interventions to prevent disability-related job loss by providing workers with assistive technology and other workplace accommodations.

The briefs summarize assessments and recommendations from two conferences sponsored by the department's Office of Disability Employment Policy that gathered experts on aging, disability and employment to discuss the impact of aging on the national workforce and health care systems. The U.S Census Bureau projects that, by 2020, many of the 25 million baby boomers that make up more than 40 percent of the current U.S. labor force will exit, leaving many jobs unfilled and taking decades of accumulated knowledge with them. In addition, as the population ages, the demand for health care services will increase just as many health care workers are facing retirement.

"A confluence of demographic, economic, and health factors have intersected to make the employment situation of older Americans a matter of urgent national importance," said Kathy Martinez, assistant secretary of labor for disability employment policy. "By promoting workforce flexibility, harnessing widespread advances in assistive technology, and using other types of workplace accommodations, we can slow the mass exodus of older workers in health care and other industries, and continue to benefit from the knowledge and skills they bring."

To read the issue briefs, visit ODEP's Web page at http://www.dol.gov/odep/topics/OlderWorkers.htm.

WASHINGTON — To help millions of people recognize what they can do to make a difference in the lives — and future careers — of young people with disabilities, the U.S. Department of Labor's Campaign for Disability Employment has released a new video public service announcement titled "Because." The PSA features real people with disabilities — not actors — who are pursuing and realizing their goals and passions as a result of the support they received from everyday people in their lives. Because nearly 1 out of 5 Americans has a disability, the PSA is intended to replace myths and misperceptions about disability employment with new views of what people with disabilities can do.

"Many people who achieve success and have found satisfaction in their careers have done so because one person believed in them and urged them to set their expectations high," said Kathy Martinez, assistant secretary of labor for disability employment policy. "This PSA challenges viewers to rethink their ideas about what people with disabilities can achieve and consider what they might do to encourage young people with disabilities to pursue their personal and career goals."

The PSA is being distributed to more than 1,400 television, including cable, English- and Spanish-language stations.

"Because" is the latest product of the Campaign for Disability Employment — a unique collaboration of leading business and disability organizations with the Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy that promotes the hiring, retention and advancement of people with disabilities. Campaign members include the American Association of People with Disabilities, the Job Accommodation Network, the National Business and Disability Council, the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, the Society for Human Resource Management, Special Olympics and the U.S. Business Leadership Network.

To download the PSA and posters or learn more about the Campaign for Disability Employment, visit http://www.whatcanyoudocampaign.org.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Defense's Office of Diversity Management and Equal Opportunity, today launched the 2013 Workforce Recruitment Program database, a recruitment resource for employers seeking a diverse workforce that includes employees with disabilities.

The database contains profiles of postsecondary students and recent graduates with disabilities, including veterans, representing a wide variety of academic backgrounds and degree levels. Candidates who are seeking summer employment as well as recent graduates looking for regular full-time positions have been interviewed and pre-screened by federal recruiters.

"These students and recent graduates represent some of our nation's top talent. They have proven themselves academically and are now eager to demonstrate their skills and gain experience in the workplace," said Kathy Martinez, assistant secretary of labor for disability employment policy.

More than 20 federal government agencies regularly utilize the WRP as a recruiting source, with more than 6,500 students obtaining federal employment since 1995. The WRP is a natural support to President Obama's executive order titled Increasing Federal Employment of Individuals with Disabilities. Federal employers can access the new database online at https://wrp.gov to register and begin their searches.

Private sector employers can access the WRP through ODEP's national Employer Assistance and Resource Network by making a toll-free call to 855-275-3276 or visiting http://www.AskEARN.org.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy has developed a series of free video vignettes, available at http://s.dol.gov/XH, as part of its "Skills to Pay the Bills: Mastering Soft Skills for Workplace Success" curriculum.

Youth services programs, educators and others helping young job seekers prepare for employment are encouraged to view, display, share and lead discussions about the videos, which aim to help all youth, including those with disabilities, develop and strengthen six essential skills needed to succeed in today's workforce: communication, networking, enthusiasm and attitude, teamwork, problem-solving and critical thinking, and professionalism.

Although employers have identified these skills as being among the most important competencies young workers need, three-quarters of those participating in a survey by the Conference Board, Corporate Voices for Working Families, the Partnership for 21st Century Skills and the Society for Human Resource Management ranked new high school graduates as deficient in soft skill areas. The videos explain what soft skills are, why they matter, and what young workers and job seekers can do to improve them.

"Acquiring these critical skills can help youth, including youth with disabilities, become valuable assets to their future employers regardless of the career path they ultimately choose," said Kathy Martinez, assistant secretary of labor for disability employment policy.

The launch of the video series coincides with National Disability Employment Awareness Month, an annual observance to raise awareness about disability employment issues as well as to celebrate the many and varied contributions of America's workers with disabilities. This year's theme is "A Strong Workforce is an Inclusive Workforce: What Can YOU Do?"

To learn more about NDEAM activities, visit http://www.dol.gov/odep/topics/ndeam/. To download fact sheets and activities from ODEP's soft skills curriculum, visit http://www.dol.gov/odep/topics/youth/softskills/.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor has launched its online Workplace Flexibility Toolkit to provide employees, job seekers, employers, policymakers and researchers with information, resources and a unique approach to workplace flexibility.

Workplace flexibility policies and practices typically focus on when and where work is done. The toolkit adds a new dimension — an emphasis on flexibility around job tasks and what work is done.

Funded by the department's Office of Disability Employment Policy in partnership with the department's Women's Bureau, the toolkit makes more than 170 resources easily accessible, particularly for workers and job seekers with complex employment situations, such as parents of young children, single parents, family caregivers, mature workers, at-risk youth, ex-offenders, and individuals with disabilities, including veterans with disabilities and people with HIV/AIDS.

"Workplace flexibility is a universal strategy that promotes an inclusive workforce and levels the playing field for people with disabilities," said Kathy Martinez, assistant secretary of labor for disability employment policy. "These resources and unique approach will help all workers with complex employment situations become more productive."

The toolkit, which can be accessed at http://www.dol.gov/odep/workplaceflexibility/, points visitors to case studies, fact and tip sheets, issue briefs, reports, articles, websites with additional information, other related toolkits and a list of frequently asked questions. It is searchable by type of resource, target audience and types of workplace flexibility, including place, time and task. New information will be added to the Workplace Flexibility Toolkit as it is identified.

The launch of the toolkit coincides with National Disability Employment Awareness Month, an annual observance to raise awareness about disability employment issues as well as to celebrate the many and varied contributions of America's workers with disabilities. This year's theme is "A Strong Workforce is an Inclusive Workforce: What Can YOU Do?" Visit http://www.dol.gov/odep/ to keep track of NDEAM activities.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy today awarded a $1,098,573 grant to the National Disability Institute in the District of Columbia to establish the National Center on Leadership for the Employment and Advancement of People with Disabilities. The new center will focus on improving employment outcomes and promoting the economic advancement of people with disabilities.

"The center will provide federal, state and local workforce partners with access to information they can use to help people with disabilities find jobs," said Kathy Martinez, assistant secretary of labor for disability employment policy. "By promoting policies and practices that research shows us are effective in increasing the employment of people with disabilities, we are making a strategic investment in both their futures and in our nation's long-term economic well-being."

The LEAD Center will conduct policy and research initiatives on improving employment outcomes, including job retention, for job seekers with disabilities. Additionally, a key component of the center's work will be translating emerging and successful solutions, as identified through demonstration projects and research, into policy and practice. The center also will support ODEP in encouraging innovative practices and facilitating their implementation at both the workforce system and individual levels, including providing technical assistance and training to workforce-related entities.

Additional information about ODEP can be found at http://www.dol.gov/odep/.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced an award of a $950,000 grant to the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America in Arlington, Va., to establish the Office of Disability Employment Policy's Accessible Technology Action Center, 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.

"The development and adoption of accessible, universally designed technology is vital to ensuring that individuals with disabilities are hired and successful at work," said Kathy Martinez, assistant secretary of labor for disability employment policy. "We are extremely excited about the creativity and expertise RESNA will bring to our newest effort to promote accessible technology in the workplace."

The Accessible Technology Action Center will expand access to information and communication technologies in the workplace for people with disabilities. It will promote the knowledge, technical skills, tools and leadership strategies needed to address accessibility issues and seek to raise awareness of the impact critical accessible workplace technologies have on competitive employment opportunities.

Information about ODEP is available at http://www.dol.gov/odep/.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced $20,654,352 for seven states under the Disability Employment Initiative to improve education, training, and employment opportunities and outcomes for youth and adults with disabilities who are unemployed, underemployed and/or receiving Social Security disability benefits. The initiative is jointly funded and administered by the department's Employment and Training Administration and its Office of Disability Employment Policy.

"This program represents our strong commitment to assisting people with disabilities in securing good jobs and providing career pathways," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "These Employment and Training Administration grants will expand the capacity of the public workforce system to provide training and employment services to people with disabilities."

This round of funding is the third under the Disability Employment Initiative, which currently supports 16 state projects. The new grants are being awarded to Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota and Rhode Island, and will implement exemplary employment services for individuals with disabilities in the public workforce system. The states with continuing grants under the initiative are Alaska, Arkansas, California, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Kansas, Maine, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.

All projects under this initiative build upon previous department initiatives by hiring staff with expertise in disability and workforce issues. The grants support extensive collaboration across multiple workforce and disability service systems in each state, including vocational rehabilitation, mental health, intellectual/developmental disability agencies, independent living centers, business leadership networks, and other community and nonprofit organizations.

"Everyone should have the opportunity to contribute to today's workforce," said Kathy Martinez, assistant secretary of labor for disability employment policy. "Enhancing the workforce system's ability to provide effective coordinated and collaborative service delivery will help to ensure that people with disabilities have access to the employment training and supports they need to achieve self-sufficiency."

The department's priority is to serve individuals with disabilities and those who are receiving Social Security disability benefits, and it is working on early intervention strategies to assist people with disabilities before they become disability beneficiaries.

The Disability Employment Initiative expands the public workforce system's participation in the Social Security Administration's Ticket to Work Program by requiring participating state workforce agencies or local workforce investment boards to become active employment networks. Many Supplemental Security Income and Social Security Disability Insurance beneficiaries use the mainstream workforce system to seek employment opportunities. By serving as employment networks, grantees will expand the capacity of the department's American Job Center network to serve Social Security beneficiaries with disabilities.

Editor's note: A chart listing the grant recipients follows this release.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $1.1 million grant to the Institute for Educational Leadership in Washington, D.C., to manage and operate the Office of Disability Employment Policy's new National Technical Assistance and Demonstration Center on Preparing Youth with Disabilities for Employment. The center will build capacity within and across youth service delivery systems to improve employment and postsecondary education outcomes for youths with disabilities.

"Through our investment in this center today, we are laying the groundwork to ensure that youths with disabilities enter the 21st century workplace with the skills and experiences they need to succeed," said Kathy Martinez, assistant secretary of labor for disability employment policy.

The center will build upon ODEP's ongoing efforts to promote policies and practices that improve transition outcomes for youths, including those with disabilities. It will have three areas of focus: career exploration, management and planning; youth development and leadership; and professional development. It will provide technical assistance, training and information to organizations operating youth programs funded by the Workforce Investment Act, as well as current and former Labor Department grantees, to aid them in integrating evidence-based, effective practices for improving transitional results for young people with disabilities who are enrolled in their programs. The center will work in collaboration with federal, state and local agencies across multiple systems, including education, workforce, juvenile justice, foster care, transportation, mental health, vocational rehabilitation and others, on effective practices and issues related to the transition of youths.

Additional information about ODEP can be found at http://www.dol.gov/odep/.

$10,000 in prizes awarded for 3 innovative apps helping to improve employment opportunities and outcomes for people with disabilities

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor has announced the winners of the disability employment application challenge. The contest, launched in May, encouraged third-party developers to build tools to help improve employment opportunities and outcomes for people with disabilities using publicly available resources and employment data. The announcement was first made by Labor Secretary Hilda L. Solis during a special Labor Day Twitter chat on Thursday, Aug. 30.

A panel of judges including Secretary Solis, Assistant Secretary of Education for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services Alexa Posny, Deputy Commissioner of Social Security Carolyn Colvin, Craigslist Founder and Chief Executive Officer Craig Newmark and Assistive Technology Industry Association Executive Director David Dikter selected three winners, from nearly 20 submissions, that demonstrated innovation, usability and accessibility.

The "Access Jobs" application, available at https://accessjobs.devis.com, received the $5,000 Innovation Award by implementing techniques such as responsive design to deliver an accessible job search experience across all platforms. The site also utilizes an open-source job posting schema that is capable of pulling search results from multiple online sources.

The "VoisPal-Speak as You Think!" application, available at http://www.voispal.com, received the $3,000 People's Choice Award through a public voting process. The Augmentative and Alternative Communication app for Android phones is designed to help people with speech difficulties express themselves fluently and effectively using more than 5,000 commonly spoken sentences grouped in intuitive categories and sub-categories.

The "AccDC: Accelerated Dynamic Content" application received the $2,000 Above and Beyond Accessibility Award. This scalable, cross-browser and cross-platform compatible Dynamic Content Management System automates the rendering of dynamic content to ensure accessibility for screen reader and keyboard only users.

All three winners are invited to showcase their winning apps at the Federal Communications Commission developer event "Developing with Accessibility" in Washington, D.C., to be held Sept. 6-7. The Above and Beyond Accessibility Award winner also has been invited to showcase the accessibility of the winning app and discuss the future of the federal government and information and communication accessibility during a one-hour session hosted by high level federal leaders.

Additional details about the winners and all submissions are available online at http://disability.challenge.gov.