R 011757Z OCT 12

ALCOAST 433/12
COMDTNOTE 5350
SUBJ: NATIONAL DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS MONTH
A. COAST GUARD CIVIL RIGHTS MANUAL, COMDTINST M5350.4 (SERIES)
1. DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT IS HIGHLIGHTED EACH OCTOBER WHEN THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT AND NATION OBSERVE NATIONAL DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT
AWARENESS MONTH. THIS YEARS THEME, A STRONG WORKFORCE IS AN INCLUSIVE
WORKFORCE: WHAT CAN YOU DO, IS A CALL FOR FULL PARTICIPATION AND
OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL, UNDERSTANDING THAT TALENT AND ABILITY HAVE NO
BOUNDARIES.
2. IN JULY 2010, PRESIDENT OBAMA MARKED THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) BY SIGNING EXECUTIVE ORDER
13548, DIRECTING EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND FEDERAL AGENCIES TO
IMPROVE THEIR EFFORTS TO EMPLOY INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES THROUGH
INCREASED RECRUITMENT, HIRING, AND RETENTION. THE ADA IS A CIVIL
RIGHTS LAW THAT PROTECTS THE EQUAL EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS OF WORKERS WITH
DISABILITIES.
3. THE COAST GUARD AND ALL FEDERAL AGENCIES ARE TASKED WITH ENSURING
THAT EMPLOYMENT POLICIES DO NOT UNNECESSARILY EXCLUDE OR LIMIT
PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES IN ITS WORKFORCE.
THE COAST GUARD REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION PROGRAM OUTLINED IN
CHAPTER 5 OF REF (A) ENSURES THE EVALUATION AND REMOVAL OF WORKPLACE
BARRIERS FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES THROUGH MODIFICATION OF
WORK ENVIRONMENTS, POLICIES, AND PROCEDURES. BARRIERS OFTEN INCLUDE
PHYSICAL OBSTACLES SUCH AS THE NEED FOR RAMPS TO ALLOW WHEELCHAIR
ACCESS AND POLICIES SUCH AS WORK SCHEDULES.
4. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES INCLUDE THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
DISABILITY RESOURCE CENTER AT WWW.DRC.DOT.GOV WHICH PROVIDES JOB
ACCOMMODATION AND RELATED SERVICES FOR CG EMPLOYEES AND APPLICANTS.
ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY AND NEEDS ASSESSMENTS ARE AVAILABLE THROUGH THE
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE COMPUTER/ELECTRONIC ACCOMMODATION PROGRAM (CAP)
AT WWW.TRICARE.MIL/CAP. ASSISTIVE RESOURCES HELP ENSURE EQUAL ACCESS
TO INFORMATION AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AND OFTEN REMOVE BARRIERS
TO SUCCESSFUL EMPLOYMENT.
5. COAST GUARD UNITS AND COMMANDS ARE ENCOURAGED TO OBSERVE NATIONAL
DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS MONTH AND TO PARTICIPATE IN NATIONAL
DISABILITY MENTORING DAY ON 17 OCTOBER. THIS DAY PROMOTES CAREER
DEVELOPMENT FOR STUDENTS AND JOB-SEEKERS WITH DISABILITIES THROUGH
JOB SHADOWING AND HANDS-ON CAREER EXPLORATION WHICH LEAD TO
INTERNSHIPS AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CAN
BE FOUND AT WWW.AAPD.COM.
6. MS. TERRI A. DICKERSON, DIRECTOR, CIVIL RIGHTS DIRECTORATE SENDS.
7. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.