National Council on Disability wants more job opportunities for people with disabilities in federal government

From a National Council on Disability news release:

WASHINGTON—The National Council on Disability (NCD) March 31 concluded that current efforts to employ people with disabilities in the Federal Government have not worked well, but makes recommendations for reversing this trend.

The paper, Federal Employment of People with Disabilities (http://www.ncd.gov/newsroom/publications/2009/pdf/Federal_Employment_of_People_with_Disabilities.pdf), examines the status of employment of people with disabilities in the Federal Government and makes recommendations for improving federal hiring and advancement of employees with disabilities. The paper summarizes the legal authorities and policy guidance, the responsibilities of various federal agencies charged with ensuring equal opportunity in federal employment, barriers to hiring and advancement, provisions for reasonable accommodations, and agency initiatives.

According to NCD Chairperson John R. Vaughn, “NCD has determined that despite laws, regulations, policy guidance, and excepted service hiring authorities designed to promote federal employment opportunities for people with disabilities, barriers to federal employment remains, and the number of employees with disabilities in the federal workforce is still low.”

NCD Employment Committee Co-Chair Linda Wetters added, “Recognition of continuing barriers to federal employment has led to some promising solutions that could create opportunities for agencies seeking qualified workers and for persons with disabilities seeking employment with the Federal Government.”

On the basis of the current status of people with disabilities in the Federal Government, NCD developed 10 recommendations. Five recommendations address the need for the Office of Personnel Management to examine personnel practices that continue to be barriers to hiring and advancing qualified people with disabilities. Four recommendations call on Congress to request the Government Accountability Office to conduct studies on Schedule A, supervisor practices, and the veterans’ preference system; and to expand the authority of the Computer/Electronic Accommodations Program. One recommendation is for job seekers, encouraging people with disabilities to take advantage of the information available on opportunities in the Federal Government. These recommendations will address current barriers and promote opportunities for federal employment.

The purpose of NCD, an independent federal agency, is to promote programs, practices, policies and procedures that ensure full inclusion of people with disabilities into all aspects of society. NCD accomplishes this mission by providing advice and making recommendations to the President, Congress, governmental agencies, and other stakeholders.