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Diversity and Disability: Strengthening America’s Economy and Ideals by Kathleen Martinez, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Disability Employment Policy
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DiversityBusiness.com Article/- As 2010 draws to a close, business owners are likely assessing their plans and priorities for the year ahead in light of lessons learned over the year past. And while 2010 was without doubt another challenging year for many business owners across America, for those who understand the value diversity adds to an organization, it was also a momentous one.
To start, July 26 marked the 20th anniversary of a landmark event in our nation’s history—the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Like other pieces of civil rights legislation, this law works to ensure a more inclusive America, one where every person has the right to participate in all sectors of society and be recognized for his or her accomplishments. Its passage paved the way for millions of Americans with disabilities to positively contribute to their communities in a variety of ways, including employment.
Reflecting this spirit, President Obama marked the ADA anniversary by signing an Executive Order that will help transform the disability employment landscape within the federal government. This directive calls on federal departments and agencies to increase the recruitment, hiring and retention of people with disabilities in coming years, and the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) is proud to have been charged to assist the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) in implementing it.
But DOL is also taking positive steps to increase workplace diversity through disability in the private sector. For example, DOL’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) recently sought input from the public on ways to strengthen its regulations under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which requires Federal contractors to take proactive steps to employ and advance qualified individuals with disabilities.
Clearly, just as disability is part of diversity, diversity is a part of disability. That’s why ODEP recently announced the availability of $2.3 million to fund pilot programs as part of a new initiative called Add Us In. Through effective local-level collaborative partnerships, Add Us In will assist minority-owned, operated and controlled businesses to add value and talent to their organizations by employing people with disabilities. Building such capacity is critical at this point in our nation’s history, given the rapidly increasing rate of business ownership among minorities.
Business ownership among women is also on the rise, due in part to the fundamental shifts that have taken place in our nation’s work culture in recent years. As such, ODEP is collaborating with DOL’s Women’s Bureau on the issue of workplace flexibility, since flexible work arrangements can enhance employment opportunities for not only women, but also people with disabilities and other groups. As is often the case, a strategy pioneered by one group—in this case working women—turns out to have widespread applicability and benefit.
Of course, savvy business owners—whether federal contractor, minority- or women-owned or not—have long understood the value of an inclusive and flexible work culture that considers the needs of all employees and potential employees, including those with disabilities. Such universal thinking not only helps recruit skilled employees, but also enhances corporate continuity efforts by helping employers retain the talents of an aging workforce.
When it comes to doing business, being inclusive of people with disabilities can actually offer companies a competitive edge. Today more than ever, businesses need people with a demonstrated ability to adapt to different situations and circumstances. And perhaps more than any other group, people with disabilities possess precisely these attributes. On a daily basis, people with disabilities must think creatively about how to solve problems and accomplish tasks. In the workplace, this resourcefulness translates into innovative thinking, fresh ideas and varied approaches to confronting business challenges and achieving success.
However, the benefits of a workplace inclusive of people with disabilities extend well beyond the bottom line to the very heart of the values upon which our nation was founded. Disability is part of the natural diversity of human life. It touches all of us, whether through our own individual experience or that of a family member, neighbor, friend or colleague. As such, everyone has a role in—and benefit to gain from—advancing equality for people with disabilities in the workplace and all other aspects of community life.
As with other diverse groups, advancing employment opportunities for people with disabilities strengthens not only America’s economy, but also its ideals. It creates a more inclusive America, one where every person is rightly recognized for his or her contributions and accomplishments.
Resources for Businesses
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) offers a range of resources to assist business owners of all sizes and in all industries improve their capacity to recruit, retain and advance qualified individuals with disabilities. Examples include:
- Job Accommodation Network (JAN)—JAN is the leading source of free, expert and confidential assistance on workplace accommodations for people with disabilities and related issues. Its consultants offer one-on-one guidance through JAN’s toll-free phone line at (800) 526-7234 or (877) 781-9403 (TTY), website (AskJAN.org), and other online services. Assistance is also available in Spanish, both via phone and a “JAN en Espańol” webpage.
- Employer Assistance and Resource Network (EARN)—EARN provides employers with free consulting services and resources to support the recruitment and hiring of people with disabilities. Phone assistance is available at 1-866-327-6669 (EARN-NOW) (Voice/TTY). Through its website (www.earnworks.com), EARN also offers a wealth of credible, up-to-date information and technical assistance to promote the inclusion of employees with disabilities in the workplace.
- Campaign for Disability Employment/”What Can YOU Do?” Effort—The Campaign for Disability Employment raises awareness about the value and talent people with disabilities add to America’s workplace. Employers of all sizes can participate by expressing their commitment to a flexible and inclusive workplace on the Campaign’s website (www.whatcanyoudocampaign.org). While on the site, employers can also find a listing of disability employment resources.
For further information and resources related to disability employment, visit ODEP’s website at www.dol.gov/odep.
About DiversityBusiness.com
Launched in 1999, DiversityBusiness, with over 50,000 members, is the largest organization of diversity owned businesses throughout the United States that provide goods and services to Fortune 1000 companies, government agencies, and colleges and universities. DiversityBusiness provides research and data collection services for diversity including the "Top 50 Organizations for Multicultural Business Opportunities", "Top 500 Diversity Owned Companies in America", and others. Its research has been recognized and published by Forbes Magazine, Business Week and thousands of other print and internet publications. The site has gained national recognition and has won numerous awards for its content and design. DiversityBusiness reaches more diverse suppliers and communicates more information to them on a more frequent basis then all other organizations combined. We also communicate with mainstream businesses, government agencies and educational institutions with information related to diversity. Our magazine reaches over 300,000 readers, a monthly e-newsletter that reaches 2.4 million, and website visitors of 1.2 million a month. It is a leading provider of Supplier Diversity management tools and has the most widely distributed Diversity magazine in the United States. DiversityBusiness.com is produced by Computer Consulting Associates International Inc. (CCAii.com) of Southport, CT. Founded in 1980.
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