Job Vacancy Announcements

Blue Cross/Blue Shield has posted the following positions open to external candidates:

*Inside Sales Advisor- 2 positions

Interested applicants can apply online at www.bcbsks.com/careers. 

Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) News Brief

Driving Change | Creating Opportunity

July 29, 2022

Disability Pride: Celebrating 32 Years of the ADA

On Thursday, July 28, the U.S. Department of Labor celebrated Disability Pride Month and the 32nd anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) during a special live virtual event. During the presentation, Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Disability Employment Policy Taryn Williams, and other agency leaders explored the department’s efforts to deliver on the promise of the ADA through policies and programs for workers and job seekers with disabilities. A recording of the event will be posted soon.

• Read about the department’s Fiscal Year 2022 programs and policies that promote good jobs for Americans with disabilities

Valuing Women’s Direct Care Work

In February 2022, ODEP and its LEAD Center convened national experts to discuss potential policy solutions for supporting Direct Support Professionals (DSPs). The LEAD Center, an ODEP contractor, synthesized insights gleaned from that conversation in its new report, Valuing Women’s Direct Care Work. Specifically, the LEAD Center’s report outlines recommendations across four areas: DSP Career Pathways and Training; Professionalization of DSPs as a Distinct Occupation; Enhancing Wages and Benefits; and DSPs as a Career Path for People with Disabilities.

“Direct Support Professionals are essential to America’s workforce, and their work makes it possible for many others—including many people with disabilities—to put their skills and talents to work,” said ODEP Assistant Secretary Taryn M. Williams. “We look forward to working with our federal partners to take action to respond to the nationwide shortage and appropriately support these essential professionals.”

• Read the report

“Understanding and Addressing Workplace Challenges Related to Long COVID” National Online Dialogue – Open Until August 15

The U.S. Department of Labor, along with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Office of the Surgeon General, are currently soliciting ideas and comments through an ePolicyWorks virtual crowdsourcing event running through August 15. Information gleaned will help the Federal Government better understand the workplace challenges faced by those experiencing new or lingering symptoms of COVID-19—a condition known as Long COVID. Join today to share your thoughts, experiences and insight on how to best support affected workers and their employers going forward.

• Join the national online dialogue

New Employer Guide on Supporting Employees with Long COVID

The ODEP-funded Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability Inclusion and Job Accommodation Network recently issued a new resource, Supporting Employees with Long COVID: A Guide for Employers. In addition to addressing the basics of Long COVID, including its intersection with mental health, the guide outlines workplace supports that can help businesses assist and retain employees experiencing symptoms. It also explores potential legal obligations on the part of employers to provide accommodations and answers Frequently Asked Questions, including those related to telework and leave.

• Access Supporting Employees with Long COVID: A Guide for Employers

AbilityOne Commission Final Rule on Subminimum Wages

Last week, the U.S. AbilityOne Commission issued a final rule prohibiting paying subminimum wages on AbilityOne Program contracts. Published on July 21, 2022, the rule requires nonprofit agencies seeking both initial and continuing qualifications to participate in the program to certify that, when paying employees on AbilityOne contracts, they will not use certificates authorized under section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Under the rule, individuals with disabilities working on AbilityOne contracts will earn at least the federal minimum wage, applicable local or state minimum wage, or applicable prevailing wage—whichever is highest.

• Read the news release

Augmenting Employee Learning with XR

The ODEP-funded Partnership on Employment and Accessible Technology recently published a new blog post exploring ways employers can use inclusive extended reality (XR) technology to support learning and engagement for employees both with and without disabilities. From virtual onboarding to upskilling, this post covers innovative strategies for integrating inclusive XR into employee education and training.

• Read “Augment Employee Learning with XR”

PIA Newsletter and Podcast Appearances

The ODEP-funded Partnership on Inclusive Apprenticeship (PIA) released its latest newsletter, which features the ADA anniversary, a new apprenticeship success story, as well as recent webinar recordings and podcast episodes. PIA Project Director Josh Christianson also recently spoke about the importance of apprenticeship in advancing disability inclusion on two additional podcasts—WorkingNation’s “Work in Progress” and “VR Workforce Studio.”

• Read PIA’s July 2022 Newsletter
• Listen to or read the transcript of WorkingNation’s “Work in Progress” podcast
• Listen to or read the transcript of “VR Workforce Studio podcast”

U.S. Department of Labor
Office of Disability Employment Policy
DRIVING CHANGE • CREATING OPPORTUNITY

View this newsletter on our website

Joe Scarlett with APSE asked that I pass this along.

Are you working in the field of disability and employment? Consider joining us next Wednesday to find out:

How to apply for the Certified Employment Support Professional-CESP

What the examination is like

What the benefits of holding your CESP professional credential include

Wednesday, August 3rd at 3 PM Eastern, 2 PM Central, 1 PM Mountain, 12 PM Pacific

Registration is free but is required.

https://lnkd.in/dHsc8ePz

#career #employment #credential #professional