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July 18, 2024
Hiring People with Disabilities into Clean Energy Jobs: Webinar
There are millions of clean energy jobs in the United States that demand a robust workforce
including people with disabilities. Employers in clean energy and other aligned industries are invited to join our webinar on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, at 2–3:30 p.m., to learn strategies for improving disability inclusion in hiring. Our panel of experts will discuss the development of inclusive pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs, among other topics, and will take questions from participants. You can register now for “Pathways for Hiring People with Disabilities into Clean Energy Jobs,” hosted by the Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability Inclusion (EARN).
Mental Health in the Construction Industry: How to Help
With high demand for construction jobs across the country, it’s more important than ever to support safe and healthy workplaces. That means promoting workers’ mental health and supporting those with substance use disorders—a significant issue in the construction industry where physically demanding work results in higher rates of injury and opioid use and misuse than in other industries. The Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability Inclusion’s (EARN) new online resource on this topic offers further information, safety guidelines, support strategies and more.
Disability and the Risk of Long COVID
This week, the federal Disability and Health Data System, which provides state-level health data on adults with disabilities, revealed new information on Long COVID: Symptoms of Long COVID are more prevalent among disabled people (10.8%) than among those without disabilities (6.6%). While Long COVID can occur in anyone who gets COVID, some people, including those with disabilities, may be at higher risk because of underlying medical conditions or other reasons. For workers experiencing Long COVID, ODEP’s Job Accommodation Network (JAN) offers guidance on accommodations.
Building a Center of Excellence on Disability
In June, representatives from the White House, corporations and a range of federal agencies convened to talk about building and sustaining a new Center of Excellence on Disability. The creation of such a center has been identified as a top strategy for ensuring that the federal government remains a model employer for people with disabilities. During the event, participants, including ODEP Assistant Secretary Taryn Williams, discussed various disability-inclusive policies and practices used in the private sector that could be effectively adapted for government.