Former Major Leaguer Jim Abbott to serve as campaign spokesman

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), in cooperation with Major League Baseball, today announced the launch of the PITCH (Proving Individuals with Talent Can Help) campaign to encourage businesses to hire individuals with disabilities.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao today announced that "America's People, America's Talent... America's Strength!" will be the official 2008 theme for National Disability Employment Awareness Month, which is observed in October nationwide. The 2008 theme captures the accomplishments highlighted in the 2007 progress report on President Bush's New Freedom Initiative for people with disabilities.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today kicked off its "Transforming the American Workplace: A 21st Century Vision" summit, which focuses on including people with disabilities in the American workforce and reduced barriers to employment. The invitation-only summit continues through tomorrow at Gallaudet University's Kellogg Conference Center in Washington, D.C.

WASHINGTON — On March 19, the U.S. Department of Labor will make available to employers nationwide a free database of 1,769 new job candidates with disabilities seeking work in a wide variety of fields. Federal employers can tap into this ongoing recruitment resource online, and private sector, other government and nonprofit employers can request unlimited searches by calling a toll-free telephone number.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao has called upon nonprofit organizations, small businesses, corporations and individuals that have demonstrated exemplary and innovative efforts in advancing the employment and workplace environment of people with disabilities to submit entries for the 2008 Secretary of Labors New Freedom Initiative Award.

Miami Project to Cure Paralysis Ambassador Marc A. Buoniconti to receive 'SPIRIT' Award

WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao will present seven awardees with national awards for their contributions toward enhancing the employment of Americans with disabilities during a ceremony today, beginning at 11:45 a.m. EDT, at the JW Marriott Hotel, 1331 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, in Washington, D.C.

New video with overview of Web sites resources to be displayed

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) and CVS Caremark today established an alliance to encourage and promote the employment of people with disabilities through training and education, outreach and communication, technical assistance and other efforts.

WASHINGTON — Throughout October, which is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) will profile on its Web site individuals who have personally benefited from agency-sponsored programs aimed at eliminating the chronic underemployment of people with disabilities, as well as employers and organizations that have successfully implemented strategies to hire, support, empower and otherwise value employees with disabilities.

Rutgers center to lead research, information, technical assistance and training efforts

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) today awarded a 24-month cooperative agreement for $1,850,000 to the Institute for Educational Leadership's Center for Workforce Development in Washington, D.C., to establish a National Technical Assistance Center on Transition and Employment for Youth with Disabilities.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy will convene Blazing the Trail: a National Youth Development and Leadership Summit on August 16 and 17 in Washington, D.C., to develop strategies that will increase the quality and availability of the nation's youth leadership programs and ensure the participation of youth with disabilities. The importance of youth participation in the development of policies that impact this population will be another area of exploration.

WASHINGTON — Marking the 17th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao today announced that the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) will make available a new video on how small businesses can save time and money, and increase productivity, by recruiting, hiring and advancing employees with disabilities.

WASHINGTON — The federal government's one-stop Web site for disability-related information and resources — DisabilityInfo.gov — today unveiled a new feature, a state and local resources map, designed to assist visitors in finding disability-related information in their own states and localities.

Has served as assistant secretary for ODEP since agencys inception in 2002

WASHINGTON — Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao today announced that Dr. W. Roy Grizzard, assistant secretary for the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), will leave his post at the end of June. Grizzard has led the office since its inception in 2002.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao today announced that "Workers with Disabilities: Talent for a Winning Team!" will be the official 2007 theme for National Disability Employment Awareness Month, which is observed in October nationwide.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability and Employment Policy today made available a brochure to help faith-based and community organizations understand federal requirements for including individuals with disabilities in their programs and activities. The department's Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives and Civil Rights Center also contributed to this new publication.

WASHINGTON — DisabilityInfo.gov, a one-stop federal Web site for disability-related information and resources, has received the e-gov Institute's Knowledge Management Award for "delivering high value to citizens in a knowledge management solution." The DisabilityInfo.gov team was honored at the Eighth Annual Knowledge Management Conference and Exhibition on April 4 at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, D.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor has made available to employers nationwide a free database of approximately 2,000 new job candidates with disabilities seeking work in a wide variety of fields. For the first time, federal employers now can tap into this ongoing recruitment resource online at WRP.gov, and private sector and other government employers can request unlimited searches by calling (866) 327-6669.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) has launched the Alliance Initiative to advance the employment of people with disabilities. The Alliance Initiative is open to businesses, trade and professional associations, labor unions, educational institutions, government agencies at all levels and others.