EEOC Hiring Disabled Workers Initiative Being Rolled Out

Town Hall Meetings To Discuss Hiring Disabled Workers

In an effort to advance opportunities for workers with disabilities, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) will hold town hall meetings throughout the nation and offer workshops on new federal regulations and hiring procedures. There are 54 million people living with disabilities.

“The EEOC is pleased to join the administration in pressing to enfranchise individuals with disabilities to participate to the fullest extent possible in the American workplace,” said Acting EEOC Chairman Stuart Ishimaru. Acting EEOC Vice Chair Christine Griffin added, “For too long, Americans with disabilities have been pushed to the rear of the hiring line. The EEOC’s town hall meetings and workshops, in concert with other measures, should position workers with disabilities for a fair chance at a federal job.”

The EEOC and DOJ’s Civil Rights Division will hold four town hall meetings throughout the nation to share information and gather comments about proposed regulations in the recently enacted Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act.

Each town hall meeting will consist of two sessions, one for disability advocates and one for the employer community, offering opportunities for both the business and disability communities to comment in person. The meetings will take place by November 20, 2009 in Philadelphia, Chicago, San Francisco and New Orleans. (workersxzcompxzkit)

In addition, as part of a federal government-wide job fair for people with disabilities during early spring 2010, the EEOC and other agencies will provide workshops throughout the day on a variety of topics involving reasonable accommodations for Federal workers and applicants. At the job fair, people with disabilities should be able to register, submit materials and perhaps get hired on the spot.

Author Robert Elliott, executive vice president, Amaxx Risks Solutions, Inc. has worked successfully for 20 years with many industries to reduce Workers’ Compensation costs, including airlines, health care, manufacturing, printing/publishing, pharmaceuticals, retail, hospitality and manufacturing. He can be contacted at: [email protected] or 860-786-8286.

Do not use this information without independent verification. All state laws vary. You should consult with your insurance broker or agent about workman’s comp issues.