OPM Hosts Disability Employment Training for Federal Government

From the Office of Personnel Managment (10.26.10):

OPM Hosts Disability Employment Training

Workshop gave agencies the information and resources they need to develop strong plans for hiring more individuals with disabilities

 

On Tuesday, October 26, 2010, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) hosted a Disability Employment Training. This event was open to all Federal employees and discussed the hiring of individuals with disabilities and how to meet the goals outlined in President Obama’s Executive Order (E.O.) 13548. Topics discussed at this training included an overview of the E.O., how to effectively use the Schedule A hiring authority, reasonable accommodation guidance, the disability register, and improving return to work outcomes.

“The U.S. Government should be a model employer of persons with disabilities,” said U.S. Office of Personnel Management Director John Berry. “I am committed to a diverse and talented workforce, and that includes improving the Federal employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.”

E.O. 13548 was issued on July 26, 2010 and mandated that OPM work with the Department of Labor, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and the Office of Management and Budget to design model recruitment and hiring strategies so that agencies may increase the number of individuals with disabilities they employ. Each agency must create its own plan for increasing opportunities for individuals with disabilities. The E.O. also encourages the increased use of the Schedule A excepted service hiring authority for persons with disabilities as well as internships, fellowships, and training and mentoring programs.

Individuals with disabilities currently make up just over five percent of the Federal workforce and individuals with targeted disabilities make up less than one percent of the Federal workforce. Through efforts like today’s training, the Federal Government is committed to increasing employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.

“This is a win-win for everyone,” said OPM Deputy Director Christine Griffin. “Employment opportunities are increased for people with disabilities and the Federal government hires highly talented and skilled individuals.”

>>> For the OPM Release

Comments

[JWard]

This is a JOKE! - I tried for 8+ years to get help thru the Ohio RSC BVR to get training and- NOTHING! The Discrimination, Usury, Bottle-necks, Red-Tape, Bureacracy, and manipulkation is APPALLING at Ohio RSC BVR! - They need investigated immediately. They are more concerned with their' own Benefits and $Pay,- than in helping the DISABLED CLIENTS! -- Why doesn't the so-called 'OPM' look into this?! - Hurry-up and go No-Where seems to be the motto where the DISABLED are concerned! - Imagine 8+-years with OHIO-BVR and NOTHING!!!

[Richard]

I can empathize with JWard's frustration. I read the following and thought the same thing:
http://www.disabilitytraining.com/wpblog/advocacy-training-in-2010/
A lot of the disability employment conundrum stems from faulty or sub-par internal efforts to advance employees.

[J. Ito-Carver]

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, in September 2010, the percentage of people with disabilities in the labor force was 21.6. By comparison, the percentage of persons with no disability in the labor force was 69.9. In my opinion, programs aimed at improving employment opportunities for individual with disabilities is beneficial to us all. It raises awareness, educates the public and breaks down stereotypes. Employers should all be aware of specifics such as individuals with disabilities are experienced problem solvers with a proven ability to adapt and 56% of job accommodations for people with disabilities are usually low cost or no cost. By hosting this workshop, the government helps to raise awareness and change attitudes about disability and employment and helps to promote positive employment results for people with disabilities by encouraging employers to be aware of the value and talent they bring to the workplace.

[Margerys_pet]

Accomodation should not be looked at as a gift to someone disabled. Anyone can be disabled in any number of ways at any time. It happened to me! Not a handout, but a hand-up! Employers can't just cherry-pick the easiest diabilities to accomodate, calling the hiring of an otherwise healthy person in a wheelchair ending their debt to the disabled community and our society. I know of someone who interviewed several times with an IT Placement Company that supports disabled folks in various businesses during a period of probation-type trial of fit. They were unable to "appear" to fit someone's idea of an employable disabled person because of a psychiatric disability despite having the education and experience needed. The placement company couldn't wrap their heads around it. It's fine for people to laugh and make horrible jokes about someone (usually a woman) with Borderline Personality Disorder, but will you hire her after a long period of rehabilitation? No. But you'll put some cute kid with Down's Syndrome in the mailroom or the lunchroom and close the case. We have to really get serious about ALL levels of skills the disabled bring to the table.

[J Ward]

Well,- here I am again,- back as a Client of Ohio RSC BVR- for the 4th time! da!? -- Guess what Ohio?- They will once again try to Discourage me to the MAX! -- Tests &Evaluations up the Kazoo! -- Still- go NO-WHERE as Usual! -- Yet the Disabled Citizens get Discriminated beyonf belief!! - The OHIO RSC BVR Administrators, Controllers, & Counselors will NEVER give up their' $cushy JOBS, $Benefits, Perks, and Bureaucratic Ownership over the DISABLED!! -- After all,- WE DISABLED CLIENTS are So Ignorant and NAIVE!! - - No wonder that 90%+ will Nevr apply to the Usury OHIO RSC BVR. -- They have heard the Horror stories of DISCRIMINATION and Put-down 'You-Disabled-know-Nothing'!! --- After all, the Adminstartors & Counselors at OHIO RSC BVR are ""Way above You Bimbo UN-ABLED PEONS"" !! -- yET, THE oHIO RSC BVR Gets over 79% of their' $Funding from the U.S Legislature.-- $Money intended for the DISABLED U.S. CITIZENS FOR Training & JOB support to Hopefully return to Gainful Activity!! -- THESE STATE voc-rehabs NEED SERIOUS scutiny, and probale Shut-Down!! - The US. CONGRESS continues to allow this DISCRIMINATORY "CRAP"!! -- And the TAXPAYER is left in the dark as Usual!!! -- JOBS mean Nothing to these Controller Hot-Shots!! --- The $Benefits go to the OHIO RSC BVR THUG Rulers, Administartors, & Counselor ''know-it-alls''!!! -- And the beat-goes-on AMERICA!! --- And the DISABLED get the royal shaft as usual!! --- When will the U.S CONGRESS ever Listen to the DISABLED?--- NEVER,-- because they also get their' $kick-backs from the Controllers at the TOP!!! --- If only ONE in Congress would ever Care or Listen. -- Forget it DISABELD,-- because YOU are ignorant UN-ABLED,- whom must relie on the super-brains in charge to know what is always best for You Bimbos!! -- WHY this CRAP continues is beyond belief. -- NO WONDER THAT 95% OF ALL disabled WILL never APPLY Tto OHIO RSC BVR.,- they have heard the Discriminatory HORROR STORIES -- that end in ZILCH!!! --- Just try to write Your' Own "IPE" - are You kidding?! -- No DISABLED CLIENT Knows what is best without the High-UPS Super-Brain Contols!! --- Real "CHOICE' is a JOKE!!!

[Kanban presentation]

Simply put, disability employment training is essential, especially with the economic condition nowadays. With respect to ordinary employees, they're expected to complete job trainings every year. That's the only way to keep their skills updated and keep up with the demands of time relating to labor needs.