The Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) at the U.S. Department of Labor promotes apprenticeship program models and other work-based learning models that meet employer needs by attracting an array of candidates, including people with disabilities. ODEP has developed and compiled several resources that federal contractors and subcontractors can begin implementing today with this quick guide.
Opportunities for Creating Apprenticeships & Work-Based Learning Environments for People with Disabilities
Opportunity 1: Intentionally plan and structure your workplace's hiring and onboarding processes to support applicants with disabilities:
- Learn more about reasonable accommodations and work tools that enable people with disabilities to enhance their performance and productivity for essential job functions and support interview access. Explore the Job Accommodation Network's (JAN) A-Z Guide to Accommodations. Connect with the Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability (EARN) to improve your accommodation practices.
- Create accessible job announcements and descriptions. Use this checklist and explainer to strengthen job announcements and descriptions for your workplace.
- Make sure your interview process is accessible. Standardizing your interview process helps ensure access for all job candidates, including applicants with disabilities, and streamline consistent standards with this checklist.
- Make sure your onboarding policies and processes are fully accessible to support employees with disabilities within the organization from day one. Strengthen your onboarding process by following these steps from EARN.
Opportunity 2: Create technical instruction for classrooms and on-the-job learning that help people with disabilities succeed in the workplace:
- Encourage voluntary self-Identification of disability status by using these key strategies to promote a more supportive disclosure environment.
- Embrace accessible technology for on-the-job learning and related technical instruction.
Opportunity 3: Proactively connect with disability agencies and networks in your local area to help maintain and expand a workforce culture that supports people with disabilities:
- Become more familiar with disability workforce "ecosystems" in your community, such as State Vocational Rehabilitation Agency offices and American Job Centers. Connect with the Veterans' Employment and Training Service to reach veterans' organizations.
- Reach out to other disability organizations to help find and source job candidates with disabilities in your community, such as Centers for Independent Living, State Agencies for Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, and State Councils on Developmental Disabilities (DD Councils).
Additional Resources for Work-Based Learning and Apprenticeships:
- Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability (EARN)
- Job Accommodation Network (JAN)
- National Center on Leadership for the Employment and Economic Advancement of People with Disabilities (LEAD Center)
- Connect with the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) for more resources:
Updated: February 5, 2024