GWDC Disability Employment Committee Passes Recommendations

Published 08-26-2010

The Governor’s Workforce Development Council adopted recommendations made by the Disability Employment Committee that if implemented would lead to more people with disabilities being hired within state government. The recommendations include the folllowing:

• Require that the state set hiring goals with timelines for people with disabilities within all levels of employment within state government by enforcing Administrative Rule 3905.0600 and that contracts that go to workers in protected classes include people with disabilities and businesses owned by people with disabilities.

• Get rid of discencentives to hiring people with disabilities by creating a shared fund that would pay for accessibility costs and by making Workforce Centers Accessible.

• Create incentives for hiring people with disabilities by creating internship programs.

MCDHH worked collaboratively with other disability agencies and nonprofits serving people with disabilities to develop these recommendations. We attended the full council meeting on August 9th to urge the members to adopt the recommendations. Next steps: the staff of the GWDC will attempt to have these recommendations included in the policy agenda for the next Governor.