With the national unemployment rate being 9.5% as of February 2011, it is undoubtedly a difficult time for Americans to find and keep steady jobs. For individuals with disabilities, this number is even more staggering. Unemployment for this group was as high as 16.9% in late 2010. There is some good news concerning employment for people with disabilities. The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) seeks to provide employment solutions and supports for people with disabilities.
JAN is the leading source of free, expert, and confidential guidance on workplace accommodations and disability employment issues. They work to provide individuals with practical solutions that benefit both employer and employee. JAN helps people with disabilities enhance their employability, and shows employers how to capitalize on the value and talent that people with disabilities add to the workplace.
JAN offers one-on-one counseling on workplace accommodations, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and related legislation, as well as self-employment and entrepreneurship options for people with disabilities. Private employers of all sizes, government agencies, employee representatives, and service providers, as well as people with disabilities and their families can all benefit from the services that JAN provides. All of JAN’s consultants have earned at least one Master’s degree in their specialized fields, ranging from rehabilitation counseling to education and engineering.
JAN is a service provided by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP). ODEP was established to meet the need for a national policy to ensure that people with disabilities are fully integrated into the 21st century workforce. The Secretary of Labor delegated authority and assigned responsibility to the Assistant Secretary for Disability Employment Policy. ODEP is a sub-cabinet level policy agency in the Department of Labor.
If you have a question about workplace accommodation or the Americans with Disabilities Act, visit the Job Accommodation Network’s website to get in touch with one of their consultants.
