employment

January 2014 — The Kessler Foundation announced that they are currently accepting applications for Signature Employment Grants. The annual grants are awarded to organizations “to fund new pilot initiatives, demonstration projects or social ventures that lead to the generation of new ideas to solve the high unemployment and underemployment of individuals with disabilities.” Applicants may apply for up to two years of funding ranging from $100,000 to $250,000 per year.  The deadline to apply is February 7, 2014.

December 2013 — The United States Office of Personnel Management (OPM) released the Report on the Employment of Individuals with Disabilities in the Federal Executive Branch. In 2010, President Obama issues Executive Order 13548, creating a hiring goal of 100,000 people with disabilities into federal service over five years.  The report highlights that in 2012, 219,975 people with disabilities were employed by the Federal government, which has “led to more people with disabilities in Federal service both in real terms and by percentage than at any time in the last 32 years

November 2013 — The University of New Hampshire in partnership with the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center for Evidence Based Practice in Vocational Rehabilitation (RRTC-EBP-VR) and the Kessler Foundation will host a State of the Science Conference, April 8-9, 2014 at the Hyatt Regency in Bethesda, Maryland.  The conference will address employment disparities for people with disabilities by “[showcasing] research from three NIDRR-funded employment rehabilitation research and training centers.” When available, additional information regarding the conference, including registration,