U.S. Government Creates Disability Office within Department of Labor
 

In February, U.S. Secretary Alexis Herman announced that the President's next budget includes the creation of a new Office on Disability Policy, Evaluation and Technical Assistance. This initiative was one of the recent recommendations by the Presidential Task Force on Employment of Adults with Disabilities. Significantly, this office would (if approved by Congress) be headed by an Assistant Secretary, which would give high exposure and priority to the issues of employment for people with disabilities.

Purpose of the Office

"This new office will provide leadership in helping people with disabilities enter, reenter and remain in the workforce," Secretary Herman said. "With the recent passage of the Workforce Incentives Improvement Act and the Workforce Investment Act, the stage is set to achieve real change in the unemployment rate for people with disabilities."

The Labor Department's new disability office would ensure that people with disabilities get full consideration in all programs funded or managed by the department; that the laws enforced by the department are evaluated to remove any barriers that may exist for people with disabilities; and absorb the President's Committee on the Employment of People With Disabilities, which works with employers to develop strategies to employ persons with disabilities.

The Work Incentives Improvement Act makes it possible for millions of people with disabilities to take jobs without losing their health care. The Workforce Investment Act establishes a system of one-stop career centers throughout the country and funds job training programs. The disability office also would be directed to make sure that all services of the one-stop centers are accessible for people with disabilities.

Currently only 29 % of working age people with disabilities are employed, though of those not working, 72 % want to work.

Details: Tel (202) 693-4650