Tapping Tech for Disabled Workers

Federal agencies should beef up training and technical support to better equip their managers with the tools needed to effectively hire, retain and manage employees with disabilities, according to a new survey by the Federal Managers Association and Telework Exchange, an organization founded and operated by the public relations firm O'Keeffe & Company in Alexandria, Va., which has clients who sell telework equipment and services to government.

The study, which is based on a survey of 513 federal employees directly responsible for hiring and managing employees, found that while 71 percent of those surveyed believe their agency is committed to hiring employees with disabilities, only half believe their agency is equipped to effectively hire such workers. Further, nearly half of federal managers report they have not received adequate training to effective manage or retain employees with disabilities, the study found.

The study recommended that agencies offer improved physical, access, communications and technical accommodations to employees with disabilities. Eighty-four percent of respondents said they believe their organization offers reasonable accommodations, yet few offer telework, technical support, job-share options or personal care assistance, the study found.

The study also recommended that agencies secure commitment from managers, noting that agencies that have done so have effectively provided training and offered to technical support to disabled workers at nearly double the rate as agencies without committed senior management. FMA and the Telework Exchange also recommended that educate managers responsible for hiring on key laws and mandates and advocate for equal opportunity.