Oklahoma passed House Bill 2062 in 2013 to enact a statewide telework program and included language requiring the development of policies and guidance on the use of telework as a workplace accommodation for employees with disabilities.
Vermont utilizes a rigorous and streamlined Request for Reasonable Accommodation process for state employee accommodation requests. Vermont’s process involves a review committee for accommodations exceeding $500 and when there is a disagreement between department and employee on the reasonable accommodation offered or denial of a request at the department level.
E Implement Stay-at-Work, Return-to-Work
F Provide training and information to state
programs, policies and practices for state employment. Disabilities may develop and vary in
personnel. While states may have robust policies
effects throughout a state employee’s tenure. As a model employer, the state should recognize that disabilities may change in their impact over time, or develop suddenly as a result of illness or injury. States can intervene early through stay-at-work and return-to-work programs with their own employees through the administration of health insurance, disability insurance and other benefits such as employee assistance programs, or EAPs.
Note: A substantial minority of state and local employees have short-and long-term disability insurance—23 and 34 percent in 2007, respectively. [U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 2008].
EXAMPLES IN ACTION
and procedures to attract and retain employees with disabilities, it is important to offer training to direct supervisors and other employees regarding these policies to maximize implementation. Train supervisors, managers and other employees regarding policies and procedures pertaining to applicants and employees with disabilities (e.g., reasonable accommodation procedures and disability etiquette).
EXAMPLES IN ACTION All staff in Massachusetts state agencies must attend two levels of awareness training; the first involves diversity awareness and is completed in the first six months of employment, and the second—disability awareness—is completed within the first year of being hired.
Delaware has enacted legislation establishing a return-to-work program for its state employees and appointed a return-to-work coordinator tasked with helping state workers stay at work or return to work after injury or illness. Vermont’s Invest EAP program includes help with disability-related accommodations.
National Task Force on Workforce Development for People with Disabilities
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