This post was originally published on the White House Blog at http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2011/10/31/reflections-disability-employment
October commemorates National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). Sponsored by my agency, the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), NDEAM is a national campaign that raises awareness about disability employment issues and celebrates the many and varied contributions of workers with disabilities. I am inspired by the many creative NDEAM observances held nationwide this year at the grassroots level, and I was honored to participate in many of them. Employers, schools and organizations of all sizes in numerous communities hosted events to educate audiences and promote the theme of NDEAM 2011, “Profit by Investing in Workers with Disabilities.”
And speaking of celebrations, this fall ODEP will observe its 10th anniversary by reflecting on the great advancements made in the disability employment arena. In 2001, Congress established ODEP as a sub-cabinet level agency within the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), marking a moment in the national effort to advance the employment of people with disabilities. The placement was strategic, creating for the first time ever a permanent focus on promoting disability employment within the context of DOL’s overall work. ODEP’s unique mission is to build a coordinated, national disability employment policy agenda by working both within DOL and across Federal agencies.
Since its creation, this agency has worked steadfastly with Federal, state and local government stakeholders, disability and provider communities, and employers to improve employment opportunities for people with disabilities. As a result of ODEP’s research, policy development and effective practices, the conversation about disability employment has evolved—from one focused on whether people with disabilities can work to one focused on effective strategies that make work happen.
And, I am so proud of our numerous accomplishments. Recent efforts focus on listening, learning, sharing and finding solutions. For instance, our “Add Us In” initiative is identifying and developing strategies to increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities within the small business community. Summits with the financial and health sectors brought together private sector leaders to explore the systemic and subtle employment barriers facing people with disabilities and effective practices for dismantling those barriers. In addition to NDEAM, ODEP sponsors The Campaign for Disability Employment, a high-profile effort to raise national awareness of disability employment issues and reverse stigmas.
In many ways ODEP’s work is just beginning. After all, the employment of people with disabilities is one of the last great frontiers in advancing civil rights. While we have made incredible advancements in independent living and accessibility, the employment rate of people with disabilities is too low.
And, all of us have a role to play in reversing this inequity. Employers must foster workplaces welcoming to all qualified employees and potential employees. People with disabilities must understand the intrinsic value of work and their role in our economic success.
Youth with disabilities must grow up with the expectation of employment. And parents, educators and other adults must strengthen this expectation by cultivating a clear vision of work and community participation.
Advancing employment opportunities and expectations for people with disabilities strengthens not only our economy, but our society. It creates a more inclusive America where every person is recognized for his or her accomplishments. So, let’s celebrate the spirit of NDEAM every day of every month.
There’s an adage that says,“The bend in the road is not the end of the road unless you refuse to take the turn.”
All of us need to “take the turn” by opening our minds and our workplaces to all employees, including those of us with disabilities. We simply cannot afford not to.
Kathleen Martinez is Assistant Secretary of Disability Employment Policy at the Department of Labor
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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Kathleen Martinez
Assistant Secretary of Disability Employment Policy
Department of Labor
Dear Assistant Secretary:
I am a HAPPY FRUSTRATED SSI MAN due to my unemployment and disability (Complex Partial Epilepsy) that receives recruitment slowness, employer barriers, and discrimination in our land of equal employment opportunity. Since 1990, my college graduation date I have been sending federal employment applications through Schedule A (EPA) and later the Ticket to Work/Self-Sufficiency Program with no employment success. Presently I am waiting for EPA employment after two applications passed the human resource evaluation and now in final hiring official procedures. When is EPA providing me an employment interview? What does my future EPA employment interview look like with Targeted Disability and Schedule A Certificate? My Targeted Disability (Severe) Code is 82 for Epilepsy.
President Obama signed Executive Order (EO) 13548 on July 26, 2010 EO requires Federal agencies to increase hiring opportunities for people with disabilities as well as to make special efforts to retain employees injured on the job. The Federal government has set a goal of hiring 100,000 additional individuals with disabilities over the next 5 years, including those with targeted disabilities.
I hold a B.S. degree in Environment Sci & Occupational Hlth and 1.7 yrs of commitment volunteer work experience with the Cal EPA, State Air Resources Bd. For the Field Studies Warranty Sec and Vehicle Certification Sec teams I performed multi-assignments and accurately analyzed, reviewed, checked, interpreted air pollution control engineering plans, test data, and specifications. Interpreted and applied laws, rules, and regulations pertaining to air pollution in California. During ARB service never hired after good interviews also took two Air Pollution Specialist verbal examinations scored 95 & 97 and placed on eligible list with hire ranks of 2 & 3.
March 2011/April 2011 on three positions for EPA Region 9, Air Division, Permits Office I passed two applications on evaluation by Human Resources Denise Palmer (Las Vegas). Currently in final hire procedures through the hiring official and hire manager. First application represents a competitive and noncompetitive positions and second application is a noncompetitive position.
• Interdisciplinary (Environmental Engineer/Environmental Scientist), GS-07/09
Job Announcement Number: LV-R9-DE-2011-0004/LV-R9-MP-2011-0023
• Interdisciplinary (Environmental Engineer/Environmental Scientist), GS-11/12
Job Announcement Number: LV-R9-MP-2011-0028
I am a highly motivated team player and my goal is to provide EPA Region 9, Air Division, Permits Office the best knowledge and services for planning, developing, and implementing key programs/stds. I can be reached during the day at bcowan2@msn.com.
Hi. I am an individual who has worked in Data Communication and Technology for over 20+ years. My work history includes working for the top company AT&T/SBC. I have been quite successful and am a dedicated company man with a great track record for prompt attendance, a 90% issue resolution record, great teaching, mentoring, and negotiation skills. I also have a disability. I simply want to give a deserving company and its employees an opportunity to work with a knowledgeable, well rounded, intelligent person and improve the company objectives and bottom line. Take a look; take a chance at hiring from the new workforce. Hire a disabled worker. You’ll be so glad you did!
Thnx
Will
I could not say it better than Will and Bruce have said it. When so many taxpayers and others have invested their hard earned tax dollars into funding various benefits, medical care, educational expenses, and ticket to work type programs into preparing me as a professional educator to work with disabled and non-disabled children, parents, administrators, and fellow teachers, why would any school not want to reap the benefits of the money they have already invested in making disabled workers the best workers possible. By the time it takes many of us to be prepared to enter the professional workplace and begin our careers–we have had all the experiences and benefits of knowing exactly what we can and should be doing for an employer—and, what jobs we should leave to people whose talents and skills are perhaps more suited to them than we might be. As someone with multiple chronic medical conditions, physical and neurological impairments that impact more than one major life activity or bodily organ system functioning, I am a wonderful, lively, and extremely confident and effective early childhood educator who welcomes each child to their first day of school as equals who deserve to be there no matter who they are, how they get to class, who their parents happen to be, or if they look or do things just like me or anyone else. People are individuals who all deserve access, education, and full participation and inclusion in the communities in which they choose to live and work. This is America. We all deserve the dignity of attending school, getting the job that we can do, and earning a fair wage in our own communities. I would much rather work and pay taxes like everyone else than I would to sit here preparing to contribute to my community positively through a career that I have worked hard and earned the right to work in because of my education, experience, and abilities to do the job with or without reasonable accommodations. Otherwise, those who are failing to hire people like Will and Bruce who have obviously learned and can do much for an employer, should not be upset when they pay their social security and medicare contributions to support us all and prepare us for professional careers just like the ones they have themselves. Because, it is ultimately the choice of powerful, rich employers who should be paying taxes and social security contributions. I am sure their burdens in these financial areas would not be so high if they would only let us give them a hand working for them; bringing their companies and schools new insight and success; teaching others to be good workers like we are—and letting us work and pay our fair share of America’s Taxes and Social Security. You have already invested your money into making us ABLE in spite of disabilities and discrimination. Now, let us provide you with the positive returns on your long-term investments–and share that tax/social security debt burden with you instead of draining more from you. We can prepare for careers and be tops in our fields—but only people in power can do something to stop unfair discrimination and bring in some tax payers and reduce the numbers of us dependent on the government taxes/ssdi to survive. The measure of any society or organization is only as good as it treats its disabled and needy members.
Thanks a ton for being my own mentor on this theme. I actually enjoyed your current article greatly and most of all liked the way in which you handled the aspect I regarded as controversial. You’re always extremely kind towards readers like me
George Marchelos
I really love all the comments here about hiring people with disabilities. A disability might slow someone down a bit, but it doesn’t make them incapable. Keep the positivity coming!