August 10, 2005—The Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) has announced a comprehensive guide and related Web site to ensure federal government workplace emergency plans address the needs of individuals with disabilities.
“In compiling these guidelines, we found that emergency preparedness plans that include enhanced communications and mobility and disability awareness actually improve safety for everyone in the workplace, not just individuals with disabilities,” said ODEP administrator Dr. Roy Grizzard.
ODEP and partner agencies have developed Preparing the Workplace for Everyone, a template of guidelines to help federal agencies integrate into emergency preparedness plans the needs of workers with disabilities. This comprehensive guide addresses employer and employee perspectives, viewpoints of first responders, successful practices, and legal considerations.
The guidelines set forth in the template can be used to interest other employment sectors—state and local governments, non-profit organizations and the private sector—in replicating effective practices and policies that can be modified easily for their use.
In connection with this announcement, ODEP is launching a new Web page specially dedicated to workplace emergency preparedness issues and related resources.
