The federal government is supposed to be a “model employer” when it comes to employment practices, including the hiring of individuals with disabilities. However, the federal government has not lived up to that standard as the number of federal employees with targeted or severe disabilities has been steadily declining. In 2006, the number of federal employees with targeted disabilities was at .94%, the lowest rate in over 20 years. On January 15, 2008, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued a report regarding strategies that federal agencies can utiliize to improve the hiring of individuals with targeted disabilities. Targeted disabilities include deafness, blindness, missing extremities, paralysis, seizure disorders, distortion or limbs or spine, mental illness and severe intellectual impairments.
In recognition of the declining number of federal employees with targeted disabilities, EEOC Commissioner Christine M. Griffin is heading the EEOC’s new Leadership for the Employment of Americans with Disabilities (LEAD) Initiative. The LEAD Initiative seeks to educate federal agencies about their obligations regarding the hiring and advancement of individuals with targeted disabilities, and to provide guidance regarding how to increase the number of federal employees with targeted disabilities.
In recognition of the declining number of federal employees with targeted disabilities, EEOC Commissioner Christine M. Griffin is heading the EEOC’s new Leadership for the Employment of Americans with Disabilities (LEAD) Initiative. The LEAD Initiative seeks to educate federal agencies about their obligations regarding the hiring and advancement of individuals with targeted disabilities, and to provide guidance regarding how to increase the number of federal employees with targeted disabilities.
One of the ways in which federal agencies are able to hire individuals with severe disabilities is through the Schedule A hiring authority. Using the Schedule A hiring authority, Agencies are able to hire individuals with severe disabilities noncompetitively. Eligibility for Schedule A employment is establish by the submission of proof of disability and certification of job readiness. Individuals with severe disabilities who live in Maryland can obtain this certification through the Maryland State Department of Education, Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS). Individuals with severe disabilities can obtain more information about opportunities within the federal government by visiting the Office of Personnel Management’s (OPM) website.
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