ODEP News Brief - February 23, 2018

February 23, 2018

PEAT Think Tank Meeting Proceedings Report

The Partnership on Employment & Accessible Technology hosted an in-person meeting of the PEAT Think Tank with Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor for Disability Employment Policy Jennifer Sheehy at the Microsoft Innovation & Policy Center in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 13, 2017. PEAT designed this invitation-only event to refine its efforts and explore key issues related to accessible workplace technology, from identifying ways to increase the hiring of people with disabilities to closing the accessible technology skills gap. The 63 participants represented the diverse perspectives of employers, technology developers, universities, and tech users with disabilities in facilitated discussions and working groups throughout the day.

• Read the PEAT Think Tank Meeting Proceedings Report

Information Brief: Customized Employment and Guided Group Discovery

Guided Group Discovery opens doors to employment for people who experience barriers to employment. The LEAD Center recently released comprehensive Guided Group Discovery materials, designed to enable youth and adults with disabilities and others to find a job that is a good fit with an employer who values and needs the talents they have to offer. This Customized Employment and Guided Group Discovery Information Brief provides a summary of the process and how to access the materials.

• Read the Guided Group Discovery Information Brief

EARN Newsletter Now Available

The Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability Inclusion released its Feb. 15 newsletter. Highlighted in this issue are the Campaign for Disability Employment’s redesigned website, the Department of Labor’s HIRE Vets Medallion Program, the 2017 Disability Employment Tracker Report from the National Organization on Disability, and more. The AskEARN.org Spotlight features the Family and Medical Leave Act.

• Read the EARN Newsletter

AskJAN Blog — Fighting the Flu at Work

In the latest post on the Ask JAN blog, Tracie DeFreitas, JAN Lead Consultant and ADA Specialist, delves into strategies that employers and employees can practice in the workplace to help prevent the spread of the flu this season. “Understanding that the flu often results in symptoms that make it difficult for employees to go to work, this epidemic not only has health implications, but can also affect business operations as a result of employee absenteeism and lost productivity,” notes DeFreitas.

• Read the Ask JAN blog

Resource Provides Guidance on Inclusive Internship Opportunities

To help employers ensure their internship opportunities are open to all qualified candidates, including those with disabilities, ODEP offers “Inclusive Internship Programs: A How-to Guide for Employers.” This easy-to-use resource discusses the value of internships to both intern and employer alike. It also provides practical information on workplace accommodations for interns with disabilities and resources such as sample position descriptions and self-assessment and evaluation forms.

• Read “Inclusive Internship Programs: A How-to Guide for Employers”