President  |  Vice President  |  First Lady  |  Mrs. Cheney  |  News & Policies 
History & ToursKids  |  Your Government  |  Appointments  |  JobsContactGraphic version


Email Updates  |  Español  |  Accessibility  |  Search  |  Privacy Policy  |  Help

Email this page to a friend

The President's New Freedom Initiative: The 2007 Progress Report

CHAPTER 3

Integrating Americans with Disabilities into the Workforce

Because the unemployment rate among people with disabilities remains stubbornly high, the President and his Administration continue to work actively to establish and implement comprehensive approaches to enable persons with disabilities to enter or re-enter the workforce.  The Administration has enhanced its own employment practices while providing support for employment solutions derived from the private and nonprofit sectors.

Top of page

Addressing Causes for High Unemployment among People with Disabilities

Accomplishments:

Next Steps:

Top of page

Removing the Physical, Programmatic, and Attitudinal Barriers to Employment

Recognizing that most of the barriers to employment of people with disabilities are physical, programmatic, or attitudinal, the Administration has focused on overcoming those barriers by appropriate educational and enforcement efforts.  These efforts to assist public and private employers and individuals are paying off, and more people with disabilities are able to enter the workforce every day.

Accomplishments:

Next Steps:

Top of page

Improving the Service Delivery Infrastructure to Support Persons with Disabilities

The Administration has led in streamlining program operations and enhancing inclusion of individuals with disabilities seeking employment.  The three most wide-reaching government agencies providing direct service are the One-Stop Career System in the Department of Labor, the Rehabilitation Services Administration in the Department of Education, and the Committee for Purchase from People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled.  These programs pave the way for employment opportunities of hundreds of thousands of individuals with all types of disabilities, and have worked to optimize service delivery.  Over the past two years, significant reforms have been underway to increase quality and quantity of service delivery within these departments and agencies.

Accomplishments:

Next Steps:

Top of page

Eliminating Work Disincentives

In addition to the skills that qualify individuals with disabilities for specific jobs, removal of employment-related barriers is vital.  Examples of work disincentives include an absence of accessible or reliable transportation to and from work, fear of loss of government benefits (especially medical benefits to address disability-related needs), and physical inaccessibility of various places of work.  As a creative way to confront these concerns, the President and the Administration have put into place an array of supports.

Accomplishments:

Next Steps:

Top of page

Expanding the Pipeline of Prospective Employers and Business Contractors

The federal government has provided job opportunities to people with disabilities on a short-term and long-term basis.  In addition, the Administration has actively supported efforts to contract with small business owners with service-connected disabilities.

Accomplishments:

Next Steps:

Previous Chapter  |  Table of Contents  |  Next Chapter  ]


Email this page to a friend

Issues In Focus

More Issues more issues

  |   News Current News Press Briefings Proclamations   |   Executive Orders   |   Radio   |   Appointments   |   Nominations Application   |   Offices   |   Freedom Corps   |   Faith-Based & Community   |   OMB   |   More Offices   |   Major Speeches   |   Iraq Transition   |   State of the Union   |   Saddam Capture   |   UN Address   |   National Address   |   Iraqi Freedom   |   National Address