The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission <\/p>\n
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE <\/p>\n
January 15, 2008 <\/p>\n
CONTACT: David Grinberg <\/p>\n
Jamie Price <\/p>\n
Jo Linda Johnson <\/p>\n
(202) 663-4191 <\/p>\n
TTY: (202) 663-4494 <\/p>\n
EEOC ISSUES REPORT ON FEDERAL EMPLOYMENT OF INDIVIDUALS WITH TARGETED
\nDISABILITIES <\/p>\n
New Report Provides Sobering Statistics and Roadmap for Agencies to
\nImprove Hiring and Advancement <\/p>\n
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
\ntoday issued a comprehensive report addressing strategies to reverse
\nthe declining participation rate of federal employees with targeted
\ndisabilities. The full text of the report, Improving the
\nParticipation Rate of People with Targeted Disabilities in the
\nFederal Work Force, is available on the EEOC’s web site at
\nwww.eeoc.gov\/federal\/report\/pwtd.html. <\/p>\n
Despite initiatives from numerous administrations, the percentage of
\nfederal employees with targeted disabilities has declined each year
\nsince reaching a peak of 1.24% in fiscal years (FYs) 1993 and 1994.
\nIn FY 2006, the participation rate of people with targeted
\ndisabilities declined to 0.94% of the federal government’s total work
\nforce, the lowest participation rate in more than 20 years. Targeted
\ndisabilities include deafness, blindness, missing extremities,
\npartial or complete paralysis, convulsive disorders, mental
\nretardation, mental illness, and distortion of the limb and\/or spine.<\/p>\n
The EEOC report reiterates the call for the federal government to be
\nthe nation’s model employer, providing equal opportunity to all
\nAmericans, including those with disabilities. The report incorporates
\nthe best practices and innovative measures taken by agencies that have
\nembraced the issue. The report also addresses agency policies and
\npractices that may serve as barriers for individuals with
\ndisabilities. <\/p>\n
“We undertook this review to examine impediments in the federal
\nsector to the hiring and advancement of people with targeted
\ndisabilities, as well as to showcase agency best practices that are
\nmaking a real difference,” said Carlton Hadden, Director of the
\nEEOC’s Office of Federal Operations (OFO), which prepared the report.
\n“Our goal is to ensure that the federal government is the employer of
\nfirst choice for individuals with disabilities.” <\/p>\n
In June 2006, under the leadership of Commissioner Christine M.
\nGriffin, the EEOC launched the LEAD Initiative (Leadership for the
\nEmployment of Americans with Disabilities). Through LEAD, the EEOC is
\nreaching out to agency leaders, HR personnel and hiring officials, to
\nencourage them to hire and advance more individuals with targeted
\ndisabilities. <\/p>\n
Commenting on the prolonged shortage of federal employees with
\ntargeted disabilities, Commissioner Griffin said, “This decline of
\nindividuals with severe disabilities employed by the federal
\ngovernment is into its second decade. Under the Rehabilitation Act of
\n1973, federal agencies have an affirmative action requirement to hire
\nand advance individuals with disabilities, yet 35 long years later
\nthere is little progress. Agency leaders must make this issue a
\npriority.” <\/p>\n
Griffin, a legal expert and long-time advocate for the disability
\ncommunity, <\/p>\n
continued: “The federal government is supposed to be the model
\nemployer. Some agencies have embraced this concept when it comes to
\nindividuals with targeted disabilities, but most have not. Very few
\nagencies are actually setting hiring goals or making concrete plans
\nto meet those goals. This must change.” <\/p>\n
“This report offers practical, concrete solutions that federal
\nagencies can immediately implement to improve their recruiting,
\nhiring, and retention of people with severe disabilities. OFO has
\nprovided agencies with a great tool. Now it’s up to agencies to use
\nit.” <\/p>\n
Further information about the LEAD Initiative is available on the
\nEEOC’s web site at http:\/\/www.eeoc.gov\/initiatives\/lead\/index.html.
\nThe EEOC monitors federal agency compliance with equal employment
\nopportunity laws and procedures. Additional about the EEOC and its
\nrole in the federal sector is available on its web site at
\nwww.eeoc.gov.<\/p>\n
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The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 15, 2008 CONTACT: David Grinberg Jamie Price Jo Linda Johnson (202) 663-4191 TTY: (202) 663-4494 EEOC ISSUES REPORT ON FEDERAL EMPLOYMENT OF INDIVIDUALS WITH TARGETED DISABILITIES New Report Provides Sobering…<\/p>\n