The Council of State Governments will host a webinar entitled “Inclusion Works: Strategies for Establishing States as Model Employers of People with Disabilities” on October 27, 2022 from 3:00 – 4:30 pm ET. This webinar will highlight innovative state policies and practices aimed at increasing the employment of people with disabilities in the public sector. These policies include
Continue reading “New CSG Report and Upcoming Webinar: The State as a Model Employer of People with Disabilities”Colorado Enhances Equity, Diversity and Inclusion within State Government, Including for Individuals with Disabilities
By Elise Gurney, Project Manager
States are increasingly engaging in State as Model Employer (SAME) initiatives to increase employment rates for people with disabilities. These efforts are designed to increase the recruitment, hiring, advancement, retention and inclusion of people with disabilities in the state government workforce. SAME initiatives also position the state as an example for private sector employers to model.
Continue reading “Colorado Enhances Equity, Diversity and Inclusion within State Government, Including for Individuals with Disabilities”Recent Report Highlights State Efforts to Become a Model Employer of People with Disabilities
By Rachel Wright, Policy Analyst
State governments have increasingly recognized the advantages of proactively recruiting and hiring people with disabilities. As such, many states have pursued “state as a model employer” policies and practices to increase the number of people with disabilities employed in the public sector.
Continue reading “Recent Report Highlights State Efforts to Become a Model Employer of People with Disabilities “Telework: Ensuring Inclusion During COVID-19 & Beyond
By Elise Gurney, Senior Policy Analyst
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the percentage of Americans who work remotely has increased from roughly 15% to 50%. The transition to telework has required everyone to adjust, but it has posed unique challenges for some people with disabilities. On December 17th, The Council of State Governments’ (CSG) National Conference session, “Telework: Adapting to the COVID-19 Economy” explored these challenges, and showcased strategies that state governments, local governments, and the private sector are using to accommodate employees with disabilities amid new telework conditions and beyond. The session also premiered CSG and the State Exchange on Employment & Disability’s new report “Disability-Inclusive Telework for States“.
Continue reading “Telework: Ensuring Inclusion During COVID-19 & Beyond”States Celebrate Two Key Disability Anniversaries in 2020
By Elise Gurney, Senior Policy Analyst, and Trent Patrick
This year marks two important anniversaries in our Nation’s efforts to facilitate the inclusion of people with disabilities in our workforce: the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), signed into law on July 26, 1990, and the 75th anniversary of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), which seeks to enhance awareness of disability employment issues and celebrate the contributions of America’s workers with disabilities. States have found various ways to commemorate these two occasions, including issuing proclamations, establishing disability awareness and mentoring days, hosting webinars and virtual events, and launching educational campaigns. Below are examples of how several states are celebrating, as well as general ideas for how state policymakers and other government officials can commemorate these landmark dates.