ODEP 2010 Listening Tour 1/21/10

PARTNERS INCLUDE: U.S. Social Security Administration, Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Department of Education, DOL Employment and Training Administration, DOL Veterans’ Employment and Training Service

Date: January 21, 2010

Location:

The Westin City Center Dallas

650 North Pearl Street

Dallas, Texas 75201

Registered on-line: http://www.DisabilityListeningTour.com

Three key stakeholder groups are invited to present:

1) individuals and consumers;

2) disability organizations, advocacy groups and service providers; and

3) employers (public and private sector)

Other ODEP 2010 Listening Tour cities in February and March include: Chicago, San Francisco, Atlanta and Boston. Specific dates and locations will be sent shortly.

U.S. Department of Labor Assistant Secretary Kathleen Martinez is spearheading the 2010 ODEP Listening Tour to gain rich insights into both systemic barriers and best practices to obtain input in three key areas:

1) More effective ways to increase employment of women, Veterans and minorities with disabilities;

2) Identification of Federal and state systems that are effectively collaborating to achieve successful employment outcomes for people with disabilities; and 3) Three top issues on which the Federal government should focus to support an increase in labor force participation of people with disabilities.

Thanks for disseminating this announcement widely to your respective networks and if you have any questions feel free to contact me at 310-650-0595 or [email protected]

Open to public residing in the U.S. Department of Labor’s REGION IV

Arkansas, Colorado, Louisiana, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Wyoming

In early 2010, the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) and its Federal partners will hold a series of six Listening Sessions across the country on disability employment. Each Listening Session is an opportunity for members of the public to provide input to senior Federal officials on their ideas for more effective ways to employ women, Veterans and minorities with disabilities and what is currently working in their regions to increase employment of people with disabilities. ODEP seeks input particularly from:

* Individuals & Consumers: youth and adults with disabilities, parents and caregivers.

* Employers: public and private.

* Service Providers & Advocacy Organizations: Independent Living Centers, One-Stops, State Rehabilitation.

For more information, to register for the event, or to provide your in put online , go to http://www.DisabilityListeningTour.com