June 22 was the anniversary of a watershed moment in disability rights history: the "Olmstead Decision".  With this ruling, the US highest court affirmed that people with disabilities have the right to live and receive services, which  include  employment services in the community. This ruling also affirmed that publicly funded services must be provided in the most integrated settings possible.

The Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) under the US Department of Labor also invests in systems change efforts that result in increased community-based, integrated employment opportunities for individuals with significant disabilities. 

Living in the Community Means Working in the Community,  a blog post authored by Jennifer Sheehy, acting assistant secretary for the Office of Disability Employment Policy,  offers you more information on Olmstead decision and integrated employment.

You can also learn about Employment First, Olmstead decision, integrated employment from the Labor Department blogs, authored by Kathy Martinez, former assistant secretary of Labor for Disability Employment  Policy: 

• Employment First: A Key Component in Community Inclusion
• Putting Employment First
• An Important Development for Workers with Disabilities
• Join the Conversation to Improve Transition from School to Work for Youth with Disabilities

In an effort to support employment services for people with disabilities, the Institute For Career Development and Science, Industry and Business Library (SIBL) will present a career development program, Equally Strong - Job Search Best Practices for People with Disabilities and Veterans on Tuesday, June 30, 2015, 12–2 p.m. at  SIBL, in Conference Room 018.

Career development experts share their job search knowledge on topics including: 

• What is the "Secret Sauce" to finding employment when you are dealing  with a disability or have served in the military?
• What resources are out there to help provide support through the job search process?
• How can you take advantage of some of these resources without having to pay for them?
• what do employers say about hiring Individuals With Disabilities and Veterans?

Please, RSVP today to participate in this program to jscnypl@nypl.org with the subject heading  EQUALLY STRONG.  If you need any special accommodations  please indicate it in your email.