Disability Employment Policy Development

The Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) provides national leadership on disability employment policy to the Department of Labor and other Federal agencies. ODEP develops and fosters the adoption and implementation of comprehensive and integrated disability employment policies and strategies throughout the workforce development system, in public and private workplaces, and in employment-related supports programs and services. Implementation of these effective policies and strategies increase employment opportunities, the recruitment of, and reduce barriers to the hiring, retention and promotion of people with disabilities. ODEP's response to the low labor force participation of people with disabilities is comprehensive and aggressive, and includes securing the active involvement of and cooperation among a number of stakeholders, including Federal, State and local government agencies, private and public employers, educational and training institutions, and the disability community.