Labor Secretary Chao Announces Availability of $2.5
Million Grant Aimed at Improving Telework Employment Strategies for People with
Disabilities

WASHINGTON—U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao today announced the availability of a $2.5 million grant through her Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), which is aimed at increasing employment opportunities for people with disabilities through telework positions.

“President George W. Bush believes that the ability to telework increases available employment options for all workers, including individuals with disabilities, and his New Freedom Initiative directs activities such as telework and assistive technology be undertaken to promote the employment for people with disabilities,” said Secretary Chao.

The Telework/Telecommuting Pilot Research solicitation will fund up to three pilot research projects designed to investigate, develop and validate strategies likely to yield the largest number of telework positions for people with disabilities. Each project award will range from $600,000 to $830,000 and will be for a 36-month period of performance.

“Workers with disabilities are an untapped resource for employers. As such, ODEP supports the creative use of alternative employment strategies and employment supports such as assistive technology, housing and transportation for people with disabilities,” said Roy Grizzard, ODEP’s assistant secretary.

Questions about the telework solicitation (SGA 04-12), which appeared in the July 8, 2004 Federal Register, should be directed to the US Labor Department Procurement Services Center, Room N-5416, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20210, Telephone (202) 693-4570. Grant applications may be downloaded from the Federal Register at www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/.

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Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.