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Rhode Island Workers with Disabilities

May 30th, 2007 Posted by Amelia

When it comes to having access to resources, Rhode Island workers with disabilities are about to get a boost. A new collaboration between a large human resource association and a federal agency should give workers greater access to jobs and information.

The alliance is between a federal agency, the US Office of Disability Employment Policy, known as ODEP, and a human resources association, the Society of Human Resource Managers, known as SHRM. These two organizations will be working together, conducting research, making it possible for disabled workers to have greater access to resources, and improving communications between federal agencies and industries.

As Rhode Island workers with disabilities probably know, some disabled workers may have problems finding jobs. The collaboration between ODEP and SHRM should help with recruiting and hiring of workers with disabilities by proving education, research, and access. The alliance will raise national awareness of the situation.

According to Roy Grizzard, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Disability Employment Policy,

“This alliance formalizes the relationship we have had with SHRM, benefiting SHRM as it serves its membership with the resources ODEP brings to the table and offering ODEP the opportunity for broader contact with human resource professionals.”

The Society for Human Resource Managers brings a lot of resources to partnership. With over 205,000 members and 550 chapters in 100 countries, this organization was formed in 1948. SHRM supplies professionals in the human resources field with necessary resources.

The US Office of Disability Employment Policy was formed in 2001 and works to help the disabled by identifying resources and setting policy. This alliance between ODEP and SHRM is a first and should help disabled workers in many ways by targeting areas such as training and education.

Of course, Rhode Island workers with disabilities will retain access to all the services they currently receive through the Rhode Island Department of Labor. This alliance will provide disabled workers with access to additional resources and opportunities.