PVA participated in a recent roundtable to identify steps that government and the private sector can take to ensure that people with disabilities are included in development and implementation of initiatives tied to the emerging green jobs economy. The event was jointly sponsored by the Department of Labor (DOL) Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) and the National Technical Assistance and Research Center to Promote Leadership for Increasing Employment and Economic Independence of Adults with Disabilities.

Sitting in were representatives from private sector companies engaged in alternative energy development, state workforce agencies, the federal government, and disability advocacy and public policy organizations. In a discussion on preparing people with disabilities to meet the workforce needs of this new economic sector, a spokesman for the Steelworkers described their efforts to ensure the reemployment rights of members who return disabled from military duty.

The CEO of the Connecticut workforce agency outlined a state program which has trained over 120 veterans, most with disabilities, for positions in energy auditing and weatherization. A panel on state, regional and local green economy efforts featured the director of a Cornell University pilot project that prepares veterans with disabilities for agricultural and renewable energy jobs by partnering with local veterans agencies and the higher education system. The operations director for a new organization called Veterans Green Jobs spoke on that group’s programs to train and place veterans in energy conservation and environmental restoration jobs.

Materials from the proceedings as well as results of many of the pilot projects highlighted there are being compiled by the DOL Employment and Training Administration to be used as resource materials for additional initiatives around the U.S. The DOL leadership intends to incorporate ideas from this meeting and several regional listening sessions to be held in early 2010 into reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act.

Amtrak, despite having had almost 20 years to create accessible stations for the disabled as required by law, has asked Congress for an extension and funding to fulfill its obligations. In 1990, Congress recognized the potential complications, expenses, and funding issues that Amtrak might encounter in bringing stations into compliance. (Amtrak shares tracks, platforms, facilities, with other entities such as freight and commuter railroads, and receives a yearly appropriation from Congress). The ADA gave Amtrak the latest deadline for compliance, 7/26/ 2010. Amtrak reported in February, 2009, that it should have 12% of its stations compliant with ADA standards by that date. With full funding by Congress, Amtrak contends it will complete all stations by 7/26/2015. The effort to extend this deadline must go through committees that dealt with the ADA, such as the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, rather than a transportation committee. PVA has received assurances from committee staff that there will be no blanket extension: more time may be given to Amtrak only if agreeable to the disabled community.

The national unemployment rate for severely disabled veterans is at 85 %, a unique PVA program is making a difference by helping seriously injured veterans get good jobs and careers in a tough economy. The Vocational Rehabilitation Office gives vets with disabilities the services and tools they need to enter the job market, matching them with career positions in businesses or organizations. The Office was established through an innovative public-private partnership between PVA, The Kim and Harold Louie Family Foundation, QTC Management, Inc., and the VA. For more info about this program, contact the Veterans Benefits Department: (800) 424-8200.

Patrick McCallister

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