Employment

Employment is a concern for many individuals with disabilities, particularly those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This page contains information and resources related to the topic of employment and disability.

Resource

• Job Accommodation Network 
  A service of the Office of the Disability Employment Policy of US Department of Labor to assist in the employment and retention of workers with disabilities. The site provides information on job accommodations, self employment and small business ownership for workers and their families as well as employers. janweb.icdi.wvu.edu (new window)

Publications

• Impediments to Employment and Job Retention for Individuals with Intellectual and Other Developmental Disabilities
  The Georgetown University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Consumer Advisory Council Created a document on impediments to employment and recommendations to reduce barriers for individuals with intellectual and other developmental disabilities. 
• Report from Advisory Committee on Increasing Competitive Integrated Employment for Individuals with Disabilities (new window) (September 2016)
  Report to US Secretary of Labor, US Senate on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, and US House of Representatives Committee on Education and the Workforce by self-advocates, advocates, agencies and organizations.

Preparation and Youth Transition

• DC Partners in Transition (new window)
  This group of stakeholders in DC started a non-profit organization to support young people with disabilities in DC to transition into education, employment, and independence. It is a group of community partners that provides information on services and supports to meet each individuals goals for education, employment and independence. dctransition.org (new window)
• Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) Secondary Transition  (new window)
  The DC State Education office has compiled a guide of information and resources to support students’ with disabilities transitions to life after high school. dc-transition guide (new window)
• What Can You Do?: The Campaign for Disability Employment
  Resource for youth and adults with disabilities, educators, and employers about how to prepare for and employ persons with disabilities. Website has a video on how people with different disabilities got quality, satisfying jobs. whatcanyoudocampaign.org (new window)
• Youth in Transition Programs
  (new window)The DC Department on Disability Services, Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) Youth Transition Services Unity provides coordinated activities for students to move from school to post-secondary education, vocational training, employment and independent living. dds.dc.gov/page/youth-transition-programs (new window)

Resources

Local Resources

• District of Columbia Office on Disability Rights (new window)
  This office has resources and information for employers and employees, accommodations and laws and regulations. odr.dc.gov (new window)
• District of Columbia Department on Disabilities Services, Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) (new window)
  Rehabilitation Services, Client Services Division provides vocational services to assist persons with disabilities to prepare for, enter, and maintain employment. Contact 202-730-1700 for more information.

Federal Government Initiatives and Resources

• Disability.gov (new window)
  Resources and information about employment, career planning, work place supports and accommodations, self-employment, work incentives, youth programs, and laws and regulations. The site has information on other topics as well as such as civil rights, health, housing, technology, etc. disability.gov (new window)
• DisAbility Online (new window) 
  The US Department of Labor and Training Administration (DOLETA) develops and implements workforce policy and programs to support people with disabilities in accessing and navigating programs to obtain and retain jobs. Many employment resources and programs to prepare for and access employment can be found on this website. doleta.gov/disability/ (new window)
• Leadership for the Employment of Americans with Disabilities (LEAD) (new window)
  This national outreach initiative was created by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to increase the number of individuals with disabilities employed by the federal government.  The program educates employers and conducts focus groups with employers and interested parties to come up with solutions to the declining numbers of people with severe disabilities employed by the federal government. eeoc.gov/initiatives/lead/ (new window)
• U.S. Office of Personnel Management Federal Employment of People with Disabilities (new window)
  This site has many resources on federal disability hiring program, workplace accommodations, employment laws and frequently asked questions. opm.gov/DISABILITY (new window)

National Initiatives and Resources

• American Association of People with Disabilities (new window) (AAPD)
  AAPD is the largest national cross-disability organization for the purpose of advocating for implementing the goals of the American with Disabilities Act (ADA). This organization has specific programs to improve employment outcomes for individuals with all types of disability. aapd.com (new window)
• Employer Assistance & Recruiting Network  (new window)(EARN)
  This is a free job network service that connects employers with job candidates.  Both job candidates and employers sign up with EARN.  In addition EARN promotes employer practices that allow recruitment and retention of employees with disabilities. askearn.org (new window)
• National Business and Disability Council (new window)
  Resource for employers seeking to integrate individuals with disabilities into their workforce. or companies seeking to reach consumers in the marketplace. This website contains resources for employers and job seekers. viscardicenter.org/services/nbdc/ (new window)
• US Business Leadership Network (new window)
  National disability organization that supports the best practices in the employment and advancement of individuals with disabilities, preparation of youth with disabilities for employment , marketing to consumers with disabilities, contracting with vendors with disabilities, and certification of disability-owned businesses. usbln.org (new window)

Events

2012- 2013

November 22, 2013 
Georgetown University 3rd Annual Conference on Employment of People with Disabilities 
Georgetown University recognized the progress of the past two decades in achieving greater freedom and independence through work for millions of people with disabilities.  The Chamber of Commerce hosted The 3rd Georgetown University Conference on Employment of People with Disabilities. The annual Human Spirit Award recipients were Thomas J. Donohue, President & CEO, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and J. Randolph (Randy) Lewis, former Senior Vice President, Walgreens. For more info about the conference click here 

2011

October 31, 2011
Georgetown University 2nd Annual Conference on Employment of People with Disabilities
The Georgetown University Conference on Employment of People with Disabilities
Georgetown University is proud to recognize the many strides of the past two decades in achieving greater freedom and independence for millions of people with disabilities, and to look ahead to an even brighter future for the disabilities movement. During October, National Disability Employment Awareness Month, Georgetown hosted the Annual Georgetown University Conference on Employment of People with Disabilities examining the challenges and opportunities in the area of employment of people with disabilities. As part of the conference, two panels of experts in the areas of public policy, business, federal contracting, and technology examined the history and future of disability employment.

This year we were proud to present the 2011 Human Spirit Award to the Honorable Bob Dole for his unwavering support of people with disabilities and his leadership enacting the 1973 Rehabilitation Act, the 1975 Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act, the 1975 Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the 1986 Protection and Advocacy for the Mentally Ill Act, the 1986 Air Carriers Access Act, the 1986 Education of the Deaf Act, the 1988 Technology Assistance Act, the 1990 Television Decoder Circuitry Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990.

This Conference could not be done without our partners: The Bipartisan Policy Center; Michael Marshall, Alston + Bird, LLP; John D. Kemp, Executive President and CEO of ABILITIES!; Taylor Price; Cameron Lynch, President, The Lynch Group; the Georgetown student organization, DIVERSAbility; the Office of Institutional Diversity, Equity, and Affirmative Action, and the McDonough School of Business.

For more information about the agenda click here.