August 1, 2001—The US Department of Labor marked the 11th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act with a special event on July 26, 2001. The celebration highlighted training programs for youth with disabilities, which are administered by the Labor Department’s Office of Disability Employment (ODEP) and the Employment and Training Administration.
Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao highlighted five new grant initiatives totaling over $10 million dollars to help customize services for persons with disabilities at one-stop career centers, as well as to create model programs that serve the needs and interests of disabled youth.
Chao announced that the president will host a Task Force on Employment of Adults with Disabilities meeting during National Disability Awareness Month in October 2001. She also announced October 24, 2001, as National Disability Mentoring Day, a cooperative effort between the Department of Labor, the Task Force on Employment of Adults with Disabilities and the AAPD.
In addition, Chao announced the formation of the Youth Advisory Committee to the Task Force on Employment of Adults with Disabilities. The Youth Advisory Committee will advise the Secretary of Labor on education, transition, employment, health and rehabilitation, and independent living issues affecting young people with disabilities.
