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5118 Federal and Corporate Employment for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Thursday, July 8, 2010: 10:45 AM-12:00 PM

Cumberland IJ (Hyatt Regency Dallas)

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Understanding the federal and corporate job market can be challenging. This presentation will explore several hiring authorities designed specifically for use by and for people with disabilities who are seeking federal employment. The presentation will also highlight the efforts of the Walgreens Corporation to create a model workplace for people with disabilities. Presenters will provide practical tools and strategies for adults with high-functioning autism and Asperger’s Syndrome to increase their chances of securing employment.

Despite the best efforts of many to support effective transition for individuals with ASD, many adults with autism do not become gainfully employed after graduation. Even in the best of economies, many have a difficult time overcoming barriers and finding their way into the workforce. With a national unemployment rate approaching 10%, this is a particularly stressful time for people with disabilities who are transitioning.

This presentation will highlight federal and corporate efforts to create the most inclusive workplace and to provide equal opportunities for people with disabilities. Several hiring authorities designed specifically for use by and for people with disabilities are available for those seeking federal employment. In fact, the federal government is actively recruiting individuals with disabilities for the workforce.

Two presenters with extensive experience in equal employment and the federal job market will discuss these hiring authorities and attempt to demystify the federal job application process. With knowledge acquired in CDC’s National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities and CDC’s Office of Workforce and Career Development, the presenters will provide detailed information on careers in the federal government, specifically tailored to adults with high-functioning autism and Asperger’s Syndrome. One presenter will share success stories from the Walgreens Corporation’s Distribution Center, which has designed and implemented innovative strategies to achieve a 30% employment rate for people with disabilities, making Walgreens a model workplace for people with disabilities. Attendees will leave this session with knowledge of the federal job market and application process, a thorough understanding of the benefits of declaring a disability during the federal and corporate application process, and practical tools to increase their likelihood of gaining employment.

Learning Objectives:

o The Federal Job Application Process- Using the USAJobs search engine to find positions within the Federal Government; Understanding the GS Scale; Dissecting the Federal application; Federal goals for hiring people with disabilities; Learning to decrease the intimidation factor and increase confidence throughout the process
o Specific Hiring Authorities created for people with disabilities (federal)- Learning how to qualify for non-competitive status with the federal application; Understanding the “Schedule A Letter”; the benefits of declaring a disability
o The Federal Resume- Learning to format and file; integrating information found in the job description; tweaking experience to provide the most complete picture of the candidate.
o Special Accommodations- What the federal government can and will do to make jobs more accessible
• The Corporate Job Process o The Walgreens Model- How Walgreens is transforming corporate thinking and encouraging the most inclusive workplace.

Content Area: Long-term Services and Support

Presenters:

Melody Stevens, M.A.
Public Health Analyst
National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Melody Stevens is a Public Health Analyst (Policy) at the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Ms. Stevens serves as the NCBDDD appointee to the Equal Employment Opportunity Advisory Council and has an active role on the People with Disabilities Subcommittee.

Tracy Hilliard, M.S.
Deputy Director
Strategic Workforce Development Division, Office of Workforce and Career Development

Tracy Hilliard, M.S., is Deputy Director of the Strategic Workforce Development Division (SWDD) at CDC. Ms. Hilliard has 20 years of broad human resources-related experience, in the areas of job analysis, workforce planning, strategic planning, recruitment, pay and compensation, and business process re-engineering.

Angela Mackey, M.Ed.
Career Outreach Coordinator
Walgreens Corporation

Angela Mackey serves as the Career Outreach Coordinator at Walgreens Distribution Center (DC) in South Carolina. In this position, Mackey is responsible for recruiting, training, and coordinating all activities surrounding employing individuals with disabilities at the DC. Mackey holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master's degree in Counseling.

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