With two new broad rules the world of recruitment is changing. The U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Contractor Compliance Programs (OFCCP), has recently updated regulations regarding the recruitment and hiring of employees with disabilities (Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973). Another new rule updates the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment act of 1974 (VEWRA) which, of course, also applies to Veterans who are disabled. “Never in my lifetime have we had such aggressive changes for federal contractors and subcontractors,” said Janet Fiore, President of The Sierra Group in Philadelphia. “They are now being required to track their efforts ...
Small employers that offer long-term disability (LTD) benefits believe such benefits serve the interests of both their company and their employees, according to a 2015 survey of more than 500 benefits decision-makers at companies with 10 to 99 employees. While those that don’t provide this benefit often overestimate its cost—and underestimate its appeal. The survey was conducted in April 2015 on behalf of the Consumer Federation of America (CFA), a trade group, and benefits provider Unum. Among the findings, a large percent of small employers indicated that most of their employees would face significant financial hardship if they were disabled ...
When Vickie Peirano-Thompson’s employer told her they’d be turning to people with disabilities to fuel their workforce, she was skeptical. “I had a fear,” said Peirano-Thompson, manager of UCB, an accounts receivable firm located in Ohio. “I was thinking ‘how is someone who is visually impaired going to perform? How are they going to be able to collect the money? How are they going to be able to make the phone calls? How is this going to happen?’” But, she said, the company discovered “there are all kinds of technologies out there to accommodate all sorts of disabilities.” Peirano-Thompson spoke ...
A few months ago, a friend of mine was officially diagnosed with bipolar disorder. The shock and confusion caused by this revelation was intensified by the fact that it came soon after being laid off from her job. While she struggled with both her illness and her new jobless status, the diagnosis itself had given her a sense of relief. She said it was somehow comforting to know that there was a name to this illness and that it could be at least controlled, if not conquered. As admirable as it is for my friend to confront her illness and ...
Technological accessibility for employees and job seekers with disabilities is an issue of increasing importance for the Labor Department and employers. According to Chris Lu, writing for the U.S. Department of Labor blog: To put it simply, our commitment to accessible technology is about basic civil rights, as well as the collective productivity of America’s workforce. That’s because inaccessible technology — from websites, to software applications, to online job applications — is preventing many people with disabilities from doing their jobs effectively, or even applying for jobs in the first place. One way in which the Labor Department seeks to ...
When we talk about hiring people with disabilities, we are also discussing the broader issues of labor shortages, diverse hiring practices, and the social reactions to an impairment . Therefore, it is of importance to note that the reported benefits of hiring as referenced by the sources included in this summary are not comprehensive and do not necessarily reflect all aspects of these broad issues. What is represented, however, is a list of valid benefits to businesses who hire veterans and other individuals with disabilities. Statistics and findings from studies conducted from 1998 through 2010 - along with anecdotal observations ...
The U.S. government on Tuesday established its blueprint for moving American workers with profound disabilities out of low-paying sheltered workshops and other segregated settings into mainstream jobs in the public midst. U.S. Department of Justice officials announced in a morning news conference that they had reached a settlement with the state of Rhode Island that will put 2,000 of its citizens with intellectual and developmental disabilities in position to work real jobs with competitive wages. The Ocean State, resolving violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act with government civil rights lawyers, also will provide training and services to another 1,250 ...
Despite an unemployment rate nearly double that of their non-disabled peers, people with disabilities can look forward to a bright jobs future -- provided that they approach their career activities the right way. Both experienced job seekers as well as those new to the world of employment can follow these five tips, culled from our conversations with hundreds of disabled individuals and other job seekers searching for work over the past few years. Tip 1: Dare to Dream When we speak to candidates who tell us they want a job, the first thing we ask is, “doing what? " Know ...
Employment remains disproportionately unreachable to people with disabilities. This week, when the athletes are demonstrating their capabilities to the country, is a fitting time for employers to commit to opening new opportunities for people with disabilities — not merely as a good deed, but as good business, too. A recent Census Bureau report found that workers with disabilities are less likely to be employed and more likely to earn less if they are. The unemployment rate for people with disabilities is more than double that for people without them. That is not only wrong, it is bad business: a colossal ...