Disability Employment Standards and Government Contractors

From AAPD (9.17.10):

*** Take Action: Send in Your Comments Today ***

Deadline : Tuesday September 21, 2010

 

 Speak Up for Disability Employment Standards in Government Contracts

by Robin Shaffert, AAPD

If you think federal contractors should hire people with disabilities, let your voice be heard. Comments due to OFCCP on Tuesday, September 21

The federal government office in charge of making sure that federal contractors engage in affirmative action for people with disabilities – the Office of Federal Contracts Compliance Programs -- is asking the public to comment on whether it should strengthen the affirmative action regulations for people with disabilities.
 
Federal contractors are required to engage in affirmative action to hire, retain, and advance people with disabilities.  Up until now, however, federal contractors have not been required to include goals and timetables for the hiring of people with disabilities like the ones they have for hiring minorities and women.

Let OFCCP know that federal contractors should be required to include goals and timetables for the hiring of people with disabilities in their affirmative action plans.  If goals and timetables are included, the government can measure whether federal contractors are hiring people with disabilities in significant numbers.

Sample comment: 

Federal contracting is a privilege, not a right.  To earn that right, federal contractors should be required to engage in real affirmative action that results in a significant increase in the hiring, retention, and advancement of people with disabilities.   OFCCP should revise Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act to require federal contractors to include goals and timetables for hiring people with disabilities in their affirmative action plans similar to the goals and timetables for minorities and women.

You can file comments electronically at www.regulations.gov.  The reference number is RIN:  1250-AA02.  You can also mail your comments to:

Ms. Barbara Bingham
Acting Director
Division of Policy, Planning, and Program Development
Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs
Room N3422
200 Constitution Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20210

Comments

[Vivian Reid]

Federal Contractors should definitely hire individuals with disabilities.
I am a volunteer for the special olympics and work with other organizations that help the disabled. Even though they are disabled these individuals give a 110%. Given a chance they will do a great job.
I don't see the missing work, long coffee breaks and lunch hours that I find with the non disable.
Give them a chance. Daily, I see all the accomplishments, self esteem and the desire to be recognized.