OFCCP celebrates National Disability Employment Awareness Month

In the month of October, the US Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy celebrates National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). NDEAM celebrates America's workers with disabilities and reminds employers of the importance of inclusive hiring practices. The theme this year is "America's Recovery: Powered by Inclusion."

In President Biden's Proclamation for NDEAM, he stated that this month is an opportunity for us to recommit to dismantling barriers in the workplace. He said, "people with disabilities are still too often marginalized and denied access to the American dream. . . The COVID-19 pandemic has compounded these inequities, as people with disabilities have faced heightened risks.”

This is a time to take a closer look at your disability employment initiatives internally and externally, especially through the lens of diversity. And as we strategize, budget, and plan for 2022, ensure disability is considered in the process.

OutSolve offers a variety of solutions that help companies achieve their goals, as well as, the 7% goal set by OFCCP to include targeted recruitment, encouraging self-ID, and accommodations procedures and tracking. Below you will find additional resources:

• Compliance Assistance: OFCCP provides Compliance Assistance Resources to help organizations comply with Section 503 rules. OutSolve provides the opportunity for companies to take advantage of the OutSolve Employee Survey Self-ID Solution that allows employees to voluntarily enter their current veteran and disabled status with minimal effort.
• Free Webinar on Accommodations: Register for the free webinar, Best Practices in Accommodations to get an overview of Section 503, ADA, and other disability directives. Learn techniques for handling accommodation requests, encouraging self-identification, how to engage in an "interactive process." 
• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: OutSolve offers DE&I Services and Training that can be tailored to your organization's needs and objectives. We have programs dedicated to both Leaders and Managers, and for all employees. 
• Promoting Recruitment and Hiring: OFCCP's resources include Best Practices and Resources for effective outreach and recruitment for individuals with disabilities. OutSolve hosts free monthly webinars, some of which speak to recruitment efforts: Affirmative Action Recruiter Best Practices Part I and Affirmative Action Recruiter Best Practices Part II.  We also provide a Recruiter Compliance Q&A. 

You can find more resources about planning your own NDEAM observance, including the official poster in English or Spanish click here.