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From Resource to RealityResources You Can Use

Colet Mitchell

Office of Disability Employment PolicyU.S. Department of Labor

Objectives

This presentation will introduce resources such as:

• The Employer Assistance Resource Network (EARN)

• The Return-to-Work Tool Kit

• The Disability Nondiscrimination elaws Advisor

• The National Resource Directory (NRD)

• The Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP)

• The Job Accommodation Network (JAN)

• Recruitment resources for Veterans and workers with disabilities

Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP)

ODEP provides national leadership by:

• developing and influencing the use of evidence-based disability employment policies and practices

• building collaborative partnerships

• delivering authoritative and credible data on the employment of people with disabilities.

Divider PageEmployment of People with Disabilities: The Big Picture

Statistics

• According to the American Community Survey there are approximately 18,312,900 working age (21-64) non-institutionalized civilians in the US with disabilities.

• In July 2010 the employment rate of persons aged 16-64 with disabilities was 27.5% compared to 70.4% for person without disabilities. The employment gap is 42.9%.

Statistics

• 2.3 million people filed disability claims with Social Security in 2008.

• 25+ million American lives are touched by the effects of disability, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

• In just the past hour, almost 3,000 Americans acquired a disability. That's 49 every minute.

• Almost one-third of Americans entering the work force today (3 in 10) will acquire a disability before they retire. (SSA Jan 31, 2007)

• Every seven seconds, a Baby Boomer turns 60.

A Diverse Group

• People with disabilities and Veterans are a diverse group.

• Corporations are including Veterans and workers with disabilities in diversity initiatives.

Divider PageWorkplace Accommodations:

Easy and Affordable Productivity Solutions

The Job Accommodation Network (JAN)

• Free accommodations resource for everyone

• Publications, online resources, trainings, and personalized telephone assistance

• Searchable Online Accommodations Resource (SOAR)

• www.askjan.org 800/526-7234 (V)877/781-9403 (TTY)

JAN Research on the True Cost of Accommodation

• Almost half of employers report no cost or low cost for accommodating employees with disabilities– 56% of all accommodations requests have

no cost– The typical cost, when there is one, is

around $600

(Source: Job Accommodation Network/ODEP)

Return-to-Work Strategies

When an employee experiences illness or injury it has an impact on both employer and employee.

Return-to-work strategies and programs can be used to improve productivity and morale in the workplace.

Strategies can include returning to work on a part-time basis, telecommuting, modifying work duties or schedule, or using reasonable accommodations to provide the needed tools.

Return-to-Work Resources• By using effective accommodation strategies

employers can:

– reduce workers’ compensation costs,

– increase productivity by returning employees to work earlier, and

– address secondary conditions, such as depression, that can develop when an employee is out on extended leave after an injury.

• Fact sheet: Job Accommodations for Return to Work http://www.jan.wvu.edu/media/rtwfact.doc

Divider PageWhere do I find qualified candidates?

Ways to recruit veterans and workers with disabilities

• Postings at job service or workforce employment centers

• Contacting college and university veteran & disability student services offices

• Partnerships with veteran and disability-related advocacy organizations

• Including veterans and people with disabilities in recruitment goals

• Establishing summer internship and mentoring programs

Local Disability and Employment Resources

• One-Stop Career Centers (www.servicelocator.org)

• State Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies (http://www.jan.wvu.edu/cgi-win/TypeQuery.exe?902)

• Local disability organizations, e.g., Centers for Independent Living (www.ilru.org/html/publications/directory/index.html)

• Disability and Business Technical Assistance Centers (www.adata.org)

• US Business Leadership Network (www.usbln.org)

The Employer Assistance and Resource Network (EARN)

• EARN provides employers with free consulting services and resources to support the recruitment and hiring of wounded warriors and people with disabilities.

• EARN assists employers in understanding the practical business reasons for, as well as the practices that facilitate the recruitment and hiring of people with disabilities.

• EARN offers assistance to employment service providers

• EARN is funded by the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP).

• Contact: http://www.earnworks.com 1-866-EARN-NOW (1-866-327-6669)

Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP)

• The WRP is a source for talented college students with disabilities for summer or permanent positions.

• The WRP has a database of hundreds of motivated postsecondary students and recent graduates eager to prove their abilities in the workforce.

• Representing all majors and hailing from over 200 colleges and universities nationwide, these applicants have been pre-screened through face-to-face interviews, ensuring they are more than qualified to meet your workforce needs.

• Access through EARN www.earnworks.com

Divider PageResources

Disability elaws Advisor

• Disability Nondiscrimination Law Advisor, newly launched in May 2010, to help employers determine which federal disability nondiscrimination laws apply to their business or organization.

• The Advisor also helps recipients of federal financial assistance understand their responsibilities under these laws.

• www.dol.gov/elaws

Diversifying Your Workforce

• A Four-Step Reference Guide & CD to Recruiting, Hiring & Retaining Employees With Disabilities

To order: www.pueblo.gsa.gov/rc/odep.htm

At work, it’s what people can do that matters.

www.whatcanyoudocampaign.org

Commitment

Unless commitment is made, there are only promises and hopes... but no plans.”

-Peter Drucker

Author, considered the

“Father of Modern Management”

Divider PageAdditional Resources

The Business Casewww.earnworks.com

AmericasHeroesAtWork.gov

25

Job Accommodation Network (JAN)

http://askjan.orghttp://askjan.org

Department of Defense Computer/Electronic Accommodations

Program (CAP)

27www.tricare.mil/CAP/

National Resource Directory

28

Directory.gov

29

VetSuccess.gov

Thank YouThank You!

Colet MitchellPolicy AdvisorU.S. Department of Labor Office of Disability Employment Policy202-693-4940Mitchell.Colet@dol.gov

www.dol.gov/odep