| April 1, 2022 Mental Health at Work: What Can I Do? The Office of Disability Employment Policy's Campaign for Disability Employment launched the "Mental Health at Work: What Can I Do?" campaign with the message that everyone has a role to play in promoting a mental health-friendly workplace, whether they are a company leader, manager, co-worker or someone with a mental health condition. The campaign includes a public service announcement, posters, a workplace guide, mental health resources and more. Mental Health at Work: What Can I Do? Blogs In support of the Campaign for Disability Employment's "Mental Health at Work: What Can I Do?" campaign, U.S. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh and Office of Disability Employment Policy assistant secretary Taryn Williams each posted a blog. In "Mental Health at Work: We All Have a Role to Play," Secretary Walsh emphasizes the importance of supportive policies and practices to make workplaces mental health friendly. In "The Intersection of Work and Wellbeing, for All Workers," Assistant Secretary Williams discusses the prevalence of mental health issues in the workplace and ODEP's programs to address them. National Autism Month During National Autism Month each April and all year round, the Office of Disability Employment Policy offers a variety of resources to help increase employment opportunities for Americans on the autism spectrum and educate employers about the benefits delivered by workplace neurodiversity. "People on the autism spectrum bring divergent, out-of-the-box thinking to employers across America every day. This, in turn, helps drive innovation," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Disability Employment Policy Taryn M. Williams. "During April, we celebrate their contributions and recommit to ensuring neurodivergent individuals can put their skills and talents to work every month." Blended, Braided, or Sequenced Funding The LEAD Center webinar on "How Blended, Braided or Sequenced Funding can Help Drive Employment, Equity and Inclusion" is now available in the archive. This federal interagency webinar featured speakers from Arizona, Colorado and North Carolina discussing how their systems (including Vocational Rehabilitation, Medicaid, Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Education) successfully applied innovative, collaborative resource sharing to benefit both businesses and jobseekers with disabilities. Honoring the Intersections of Disability and Diversity Shirley J. Wilcher, executive director of the American Association for Access, Equity and Diversity, an Office of Disability Employment Policy Alliance partner, posted a blog on "Women's History Month: Honoring the Intersections of Disability and Diversity." In the blog, Wilcher discusses her career promoting equal opportunity and access and the importance of including disability among elements of diversity. She also reflects on the contributions of Harriet Tubman and Fannie Lou Hamer, Black American women with disabilities who advanced freedom and human rights in our country. "Indeed, it's because of the actions of heroines like Tubman and Hamer that I've had the privilege to dedicate my career to promoting change," said Wilcher. "During Women's History Month, I honor their contributions. I also recommit to ensuring their legacies endure every month of every year." Unlocking Potential Through Workforce Inclusion Kathy Tran, a member of the Virginia House of Delegates representing the commonwealth's 42nd district, posted a blog on "Unlocking Potential Through Workforce Inclusion." In the blog, Tran discusses the importance of inclusive workplace policies in making a difference in people's lives, including her family, who immigrated from Vietnam when she was an infant. She talks about her efforts as a member of the Virginia House of Delegates to expand opportunities for underrepresented communities, including LGBTQ people, service members and their families, and people with disabilities. "It all circles back to ensuring that every person — whether an immigrant, working mother, veteran, or person with a disability — can reach their full potential and pursue their American dream, whatever form it might take," said Tran. "An inclusive workforce is a strong workforce — and the key to growing vibrant communities and a robust economy." Neurodiversity & Intersectionality: A Disclosure Challenge The Partnership on Employment & Accessible Technology posted an episode of its Future of Work podcast, "Neurodiversity & Intersectionality: A Disclosure Challenge." In the podcast, Wesley Faulkner shares how being a person of color and having ADHD and dyslexia impacted disclosing his disability at work. He also reveals his vision for the inclusive workplace of the future. Apprenticeship for All Podcast The Partnership on Inclusive Apprenticeship released a new podcast episode, "How Inclusive Apprenticeship Programs and On-the-Job Training Can Address Talent Shortages in IT." In the episode, Pat Romzek, retired IT Executive and CEO of Three Talents, LLC, discusses the benefits of inclusive IT-focused apprenticeships and Three Talents' success in developing a diverse, skilled workforce. Inclusive Employment Practices in State Government In collaboration with the State Exchange on Employment & Disability, the National Conference of State Legislatures launched an online resource on "Inclusive Employment Practices in State Government." The resource highlights policy options to strengthen employment opportunities for people with disabilities within state government, many of which can be expanded to support other underrepresented populations. The policy topics featured include creating a policy development infrastructure, inclusive state hiring practices and state retention practices. State Collaborative on Diversity and Inclusion in Disability Employment In partnership with the State Exchange on Employment & Disability, the National Association of State Chief Administrators launched the "State Collaborative on Diversity and Inclusion in Disability Employment." In this first of three convenings, the Collaborative featured state officials from California, Tennessee and Virginia, who highlighted policies and shared implementation efforts on inclusive recruitment, hiring and retention in state government. The effort will produce a toolkit for state-as-a-model-employer policies and practices. | 
No comments:
Post a Comment