The following are questions we receive often, and we hope they address your concern. If your question is not addressed, please feel free to contact us at the odep@dol.gov.

Employers

Where can I access employers who have had successful experiences hiring people with disabilities?

A good place to learn about private employers with a good track record of hiring and retaining people with disabilities is Disability:IN. This non-profit organization works to promote workplaces, as well as marketplaces and supply chains, that are inclusive of people with disabilities and serves as the collective voice for state and local affiliates representing more than 5,000 businesses across the country.

Where can employers find qualified applicants with disabilities?

DOL does not directly provide such services. Rather, through its Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), it works to influence national policy and promote effective workplace practices to ensure that today's workforce is inclusive of people with disabilities.

In carrying out this mission, ODEP does work closely with the workforce development system funded by DOL's Employment and Training Administration (ETA) and delivered through the nationwide network of American Job Centers. These Centers, located in communities across the U.S., do provide direct workforce services to employers, including those seeking qualified applicants with disabilities. To find your nearest American Job Center, visit CareerOneStop or call (toll-free) 1-877-US2-JOBS (1-877-872-5627)*.

In addition, the Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability Inclusion (EARN), a free service funded by ODEP, offers a list of resources for employers wishing to recruit qualified applicants with disabilities.

*If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

Are there any tax incentives for hiring people with disabilities?

Yes. Information about these tax incentives can be found on the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) website. The Job Accommodation Network (JAN), a free service funded by ODEP, also offers a fact sheet outlining these tax incentives. ODEP's website provides information on this topic as well.

Where can I get information about making workplace accommodations?

The Job Accommodation Network (JAN), funded by DOL's Office of Disability Employment Policy, is the leading source of free, expert and confidential guidance on workplace accommodations. JAN's website is AskJAN.org. Live phone service is also available 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET by calling (toll-free) 1-800-526-7234.

What are my obligations as an employer under Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and where can I get technical assistance?

First, it is important to note that DOL does not administer Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Rather, it is administered by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). However, DOL's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) does provide several resources to assist employers in understanding their obligations under Title I of the ADA on its ADA webpage.

The Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability Inclusion (EARN), a free service funded by ODEP, also offers information about the ADA on its website. In addition, ODEP's Job Accommodation Network (JAN) offers individualized assistance with accommodations, a key aspect of the ADA's employment provisions. JAN's website is AskJAN.org. Live phone service is also available 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET by calling (toll-free) 1-800-526-7234.

Finally, DOL's interactive Disability Nondiscrimination Law Advisor helps employers determine which federal disability nondiscrimination laws, including but not limited to the ADA, apply to their business or organization and their obligations under them.

Does ODEP have "disability awareness" materials that can be used for trainings and workshops for employers and other organizations?

Yes. ODEP and ODEP-sponsored initiatives offer a variety of materials that can be used for disability awareness training. For example, the ODEP-funded Campaign for Disability Employment (CDE) offers a variety of materials, including discussion guides and posters, on its website's PSA Campaigns page.

The Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability Inclusion (EARN), a free service funded by ODEP, also offers a variety of such materials on its website. In addition, ODEP's Job Accommodation Network (JAN) offers a variety of training resources, including webcasts, podcasts and online training modules. JAN's website is AskJAN.org. Live phone service is also available 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET by calling (toll-free) 1-800-526-7234.

Also, for National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) each October, ODEP publishes posters that can be ordered free of charge.

The ten regional ADA National Network Centers are another good source for disability training materials and assistance.

As a company, we're new to the disability arena. Where do we start?

Two ODEP-funded services can greatly assist you in your efforts to create a work culture inclusive of people with disabilities, and best of all, they're free of charge! The Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability Inclusion (EARN) offers a variety of such materials on its website. The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) is the leading source of free, expert and confidential guidance on workplace accommodations and disability employment issues. JAN's website is AskJAN.org. Live phone service is also available 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET by calling (toll-free) 1-800-526-7234.

What can we do to enhance our services to customers with disabilities?

A good source for information about steps you can take to enhance your service to customers with disabilities is the Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability Inclusion (EARN), a free service funded by ODEP. EARN provides such information on its website. Disability:IN can also assist companies in ensuring their market strategies include people with disabilities.