federal employment strategies
DESCRIPTION
When: Session #1Who: Howard A. RosenblumTRANSCRIPT
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Federal Employment Strategies
NAD Leadership Training Conference Birmingham, Alabama
September 25, 2015
Howard A. Rosenblum, Esq. NAD CEO & Legal Director
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Federal Employment U.S. Federal Government is the largest
employer of all people in the USA (2,500,000)
Also largest employer of deaf and HOH people in the world
But still not easy to get a job with US Federal Government
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Legal Requirements Rehabilitation Act, not ADA, protects
deaf and HOH people from discrimination by federal agencies
Requires provision of reasonable accommodations including interpreters for job interviews
Still many challenges
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Executive Order 13548 Signed by President Obama on July 26,
2010 (20th anniversary of ADA)
Recognizes only 5% of federal employees have disabilities, and less than 1% have targeted disabilities
Requires hiring of 100,000 by 2015 Agencies are to increase Schedule A and
utilize centralized funds
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Schedule A A form that you can submit to get
federal jobs without competition
Most federal jobs are advertised on www.usajobs.opm.gov
Must meet all job requirements and submit resume and other documents
Must also have proof of disability
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Schedule A (continued) Must be certified as job ready which
can be done with help of VR counselor, career placement oce, SSA, and other benefits oces.
Other option is to be a temporary employee to prove able to do the job
Contact Disability Program Manager (DPM) or Selective Placement Coordinator (SPC) at agency
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Challenges with Schedule A Limited opportunities, not apply to all
jobs or agencies
Once you obtain a federal job on Schedule A, does not mean you can get promoted
May require you to apply for new position through usajobs
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Accommodations Issues Qualified Sign Language Interpreters Videophones or other
telecommunications access
Captioning on video materials Request process for accommodations
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Need for Centralized Funds Not all federal agencies have centralized
funds for accommodations
Those that do, have the highest numbers of deaf/HOH employees
Reason why centralized funds work best for deaf/HOH employees
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Pre-Employment Strategies Use Schedule A if you need to get
experience
Network on job availabilities and search usajobs.com
Be VERY PREPARED for interviews, be ready to give information to interpreters
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Employment Strategies Discuss (not demand) accommodations Show proof why the accommodations
needed will improve productivity
Sue when you have no choice, negotiate before you sue
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Q&A
Questions?