US Labor Departments Office of Disability Employment Policy signs alliance agreement with National Organization of Nurses with Disabilities

Agreement supports increased hiring of individuals with disabilities in health care industry

WASHINGTON — Assistant Secretary of Labor for Disability Employment Policy Kathleen Martinez and National Organization of Nurses with Disabilities President Beth Marks have signed an alliance agreement during National Nurses Week to promote the employment of individuals with disabilities in the health care industry.

"Today's alliance is an outcome of ODEP's Health Care Summit held in Chicago last year. Through this partnership, we will be able to develop strategies for increasing employment and educational opportunities in the health care sector for those of us with disabilities," Martinez said.

ODEP's Alliance Initiative, begun in 2006, enables organizations to work with the agency to develop and implement model policies and initiatives that increase the recruitment, hiring, retention, and career advancement of employees with disabilities. The National Organization of Nurses with Disabilities is an open membership, cross-disability, public education and advocacy organization that works to promote the full inclusion and acceptance of people with disabilities and chronic health conditions into nursing careers.

"NOND as a grassroots organization was founded by nurses with disabilities and is governed by a majority of nurses with disabilities — making us internationally unique," said Marks. "As the 'voice' of disability in nursing, this alliance presents an opportunity for NOND to work with ODEP to ensure that people with disabilities know that health care careers and work in the health care industries is an option to them."

ODEP's mission is to provide national leadership by developing and influencing policies aimed at increasing the employment of people with disabilities. In addition to the National Organization of Nurses with Disabilities, ODEP has alliances with the Assistive Technology Industry Association, the HSC Foundation, the National Association of Governors' Committees on People with Disabilities, the National Industry Liaison Group, the Partnership for Public Service, the Society for Human Resource Management and the U.S. Business Leadership Network.