US Labor Departments Office of Disability Employment Policy announces $950,000 grant to establish Accessible Technology Action Center

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy today announced the availability of approximately $950,000 to fund a cooperative agreement to establish and operate the Accessible Technology Action Center, a new national resource that will facilitate and promote the use of accessible technology in the hiring, employment, retention and career advancement of individuals with disabilities.

"Accessible technology can have a significant impact on people with disabilities when it comes to succeeding in the workplace," said Kathy Martinez, assistant secretary of labor for disability employment policy. "This new center will build on previous partnerships and focus on specific issues facing employees with disabilities and the technology industry."

The ATAC will expand access to information and communication technologies in the workplace for people with disabilities. The center will promote the knowledge, technical skills, tools and leadership strategies needed to address accessibility issues, and will seek to raise awareness of the impact critical accessible workplace technologies have on competitive employment opportunities.

The initial award will be for 12 months with the possibility of up to four optional years of funding, depending on the availability of funds and satisfactory performance. The full announcement for this grant opportunity can be found at http://www.grants.gov. Applications will be accepted until Aug. 31, 2012.