Ensuring Integration of People with Disabilities in the 21st Century Workforce

The Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) of the U.S. Department of Labor, which works to ensure that people with disabilities are fully integrated into the 21st century workforce, and the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) recently established an alliance to encourage and promote the employment of people with disabilities.

The formal alliance, a first for ODEP with a major organization, will ensure that SHRM and ODEP stakeholders collaborate in this national effort by providing information, guidance, and access to resources.

"This alliance formalizes the relationship we have had with SHRM, benefiting SHRM as it serves its membership with the resources ODEP brings to the table and offering ODEP the opportunity for broader contact with human resource professionals," said Roy Grizzard, assistant secretary of labor for disability employment policy.

The new relationship between SHRM and ODEP will target areas in training and education, outreach and communication and technical assistance, and it will promote a national dialogue on the employment of persons with disabilities -- a human resource that is underutilized. The partnership will also provide recruitment, hiring, and advancement information through educational, access and research activities.