Wireless RERC - Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP)

ODEP Announces Web Portal on Accessible Workplace Technology

mz22 — Thu, 23 Oct 2014 21:25:24 +0000

Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP)

US Labor Department's Office of Disability Employment Policy announces launch of Web Portal on accessible Workplace Technology

October 2014 – The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) announced the launch of the PEAT Works web portal earlier this month, a website that connects employees, employers, and technology providers with accessible tools and resources for the workplace. Organized by ODEP's Partnership on Employment & Accessible Technology (PEAT), PEATworks.org includes educational articles and interactive tools to assist businesses and technology providers when adopting accessible technologies for employees. The website aims to “improve the employment, retention and career advancement of people with disabilities” by promoting accessible technology and facilitating resources that assist with workplace development.

Kathy Martinez, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Disability Employment Policy, states, "PEAT is the only entity of its kind bringing together employers, technology providers, thought leaders and technology users around the topic of accessible technology and employment."

Some PEATworks.org features include: an action guide for employers, informational articles, and an interactive tool to help employers assess their technology accessibility practices. For more information, please visit http://www.PEATworks.org.

Wireless RERC Researchers among Recipients of Nearly $1.85M in Funding from Dept. of Labor

mz22 — Thu, 09 Oct 2014 13:59:58 +0000

Department of Labor

Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP)

Nearly $1.85M in funding to improve outcomes for individuals with disabilities awarded by US Labor Department

September 2014 – Georgia Tech’s Center for Advanced Communications Policy (CACP), and home of the Wireless RERC, was among the awardees of the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) cooperative agreement to establish a National Employer Policy, Research and Technical Assistance Center. The Agreement will be led by The Viscardi Center in Albertson, New York, and partners include the United States Business Leadership Network; The George Washington University's Graduate School of Education & Human Development; the World Institute on Disability; the Center for the Study and Advancement of Disability Policy; the National Conference of State Legislatures, in coordination with the National Governors Association; and the Georgia Institute of Technology's Center for Advanced Communications Policy and Scheller College of Business. Georgia Tech's Scheller College of Business will address, among other things, helping employers recognize the unique benefits of employees with disabilities.

The National Employer Policy, Research and Technical Assistance Center goals are to assist employers with “recruiting, hiring, retaining and promoting people with disabilities by:

1. Analyzing employer research, policies and practices related to disability employment;

2. Researching effective employer engagement strategies; and

3. Developing and providing outreach and technical assistance to targeted employers, such as federal agencies, federal contractors, small businesses and state governments.”

Workplace Accommodations: Low Cost, High Impact

mz22 — Tue, 10 Sep 2013 16:09:42 +0000

Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP)

Workplace Accomodations

employment

Accommodation and Compliance Series Workplace Accommodations: Low Cost, High Impact

September 2013 — The Job Accommodations Network (JAN), a consulting service provided by the Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), released a report outlining the results from their ongoing study on workplace accommodations implemented by employers who contacted JAN. The report highlights that for most employers, workplace accommodations to “retain valued and qualified employees” could be implemented at no cost, while the average cost for other accommodations being around $500. Benefits seen from the accommodations included being able to retain the employee, increased productivity, improved interactions among co-workers and customers, and increased profitability. Employers also found that working with JAN was beneficial, with almost all respondents stating “they would use JAN services again for assistance with workplace accommodations.”

Promoting Accessible Technologies in the Workplace

mz22 — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 18:02:51 +0000

Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP)

accessible workplace technologies

employment

assistive technology (AT)

ODEP Report

April 2013 — The Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) released the report ODEP Accomplishments 2009—2012, highlighting ODEP’s progress in ensuring that individuals with disabilities are considered and included when improving the job opportunities for American workers. Regarding the application of technology in the workplace, ODEP notes their efforts to promote accessible workplace technologies and enable all individuals with the “productivity tools they need to succeed.” ODEP developed two “Roadmap” reports for organizations to strategically incorporate accessible technologies into standard policies and practices. ODEP worked with the Department of Education and the Social Security Administration to conduct the Disability Employment App Challenge and collaborated with the Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA) to engage government agencies, IT developers and advocates in a discussion on the advancement of “accessible, interoperable, and usable information and communication technology.” Additionally, through ePolicyWorks, a Web-based policymaking tool that facilitates collaborative policymaking, ODEP contributed to the development of policies concerning accessible workplace technologies.

Department of Labor App Challenge

blippincott4 — Thu, 24 May 2012 15:23:31 +0000

Apps

Department of Labor

Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP)

employment

Department of Labor News Release

DOL Office of Disability Policy

05.24.12 – The Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) has launched an app challenge inviting participants to compete for $10,000 in prizes and a chance for their app to be featured on the ODEP website. The challenge aims to “promote recruitment resources for employers, develop job training and skill-building tools for job seekers, facilitate employment-related transportation options and expand information communication technology accessibility.” The assistant secretary of labor for disability policy, Kathy Martinez highlighted the importance of this challenge stating, “Using today’s technology, we hope to inspire creative and innovative solutions to the pressing employment-related problems faced by people with disabilities.” Currently, the unemployment rate for people with disabilities is 12.5 percent compared to 7.6 percent of people without disabilities. Submissions are asked to address the unemployment gap by ensuring that the apps are accessible, “provide access to important data and resources,” and are intended for a variety of job seekers, career counselors and employers. Submissions for the challenge are due on August 23, 2012. [Source: Department of Labor]