[nfbmi-talk] Job Finding

Fri Nov 21 13:04:29 UTC 2014

Here is the ExecutiveDirective and not they are working nominally on a long 
term stragedy for things that were required under civil rights laws forty 
years ago and note that all of these agencies including the Michigan Civil 
Rights Commission itself has a documented track record of ignoring and 
violating  federal civil rights of the blind.All documented Fred.

I find the portions related to the final item most revealing as well as the 
fact that agencies have violated the provision for making internships 
accessible and open to people with disabilities.

It is also interesting to note that people with sensory disabilities 
including those of us who are blind, or those who are deaf for that matter 
aren't even expressly mentioned herein:

RICK SNYDER

GOVERNOR

EXECUTIVE OFFICE

LANSING

BRIAN CALLEY

LT.  GOVERNOR

EXECUTIVE DIRECTIVE

No. 2014- 1

DATE:            October 27, 2014

TO:                 All Executive Branch Departments and Agencies

FROM:           Governor Rick Snyder

RE:                 Employment Opportunities for Individuals with 
Disabilities

In February of 2013, I established the Mental Health and Wellness 
Commission, which has spent the past year working to identify gaps in our 
current mental health system and provide recommendations to address those 
gaps. With Lt. Governor Calley serving as the Chair, the Commission publicly 
issued its report on January 21, 2014. The Commission is now working towards 
the implementation of recommendations that include the need to focus on 
employment options for those with disabilities.

The Commission report urges adoption of a statewide employment policy that 
honors the choices and goals of an individual and would include a variety of 
appropriate options to achieve those goals. It is recommended that the State 
of Michigan be a leader in adopting the employment practices within state 
government.

It is important that the State of Michigan provide a welcoming environment 
to those with disabilities and encourage their employment in state 
government in a competitive integrated setting. While many individuals 
desire that their disability be kept confidential, raising awareness and 
providing adequate training to all state employees can help bridge the gap 
to ensure every employee is treated with dignity and respect at all times.

The State Equal Opportunity and Diversity Council (SEODC) acts in an 
advisory capacity to the Governor, the Civil Rights Commission and the Civil 
Service Commission on equal employment opportunity matters.

Section 1, Article 5 of the Michigan Constitution vests the executive power 
of the state of Michigan in the Governor.  Section 8, Article 5 of the 
Michigan Constitution places each principal department under the supervision 
of the Governor.  Pursuant to these provisions of the Michigan Constitution, 
I direct the following:

GEORGE W. ROMNEY BUILDING . 111 SOUTH CAPITOL AVENUE  . LANSING, MICHIGAN 
48909

www.michigan.gov

In coordination with the Department of Civil Rights, the Civil Rights 
Commission and the Civil Service Commission, the SEODC shall recommend a 
program for attracting and retaining individuals with mental illness, 
intellectual or developmental disabilities and physical disabilities that 
includes competitive integrated employment opportunities. The program shall 
require the participation and engagement of all Executive Branch departments 
and agencies.

The program shall include, but not be limited to:

.     Working with the Civil Service Commission and Executive Branch 
Departments and Agencies to provide clear objectives and opportunities for 
individuals with disabilities who seek a position in state government in an 
integrated setting. Within 12 months of this directive, the SEODC shall 
issue a report to the Executive Office and all State Departments and 
Agencies outlining the objectives and opportunities.

.      Reviewing current training programs for all state employees to ensure 
they cover disability etiquette and best practices. The review shall be

completed by March 1, 2015, and recommendations shall be provided to the 
Civil Service Commission and state personnel director for consideration by 
April 1, 2015. It is my goal that all state employees will be adequately 
trained in disability etiquette by July 1, 2016.

.      Recommending to the Executive Office and all State Departments and 
Agencies a goal of hiring self-identified individuals with disabilities 
within state government. The evaluation and recommendation shall be provided 
no later than April 1, 2015. An annual report shall be provided at the end 
of each fiscal year that compares previous years' progress and 
recommendations to increase hiring opportunities for persons with 
disabilities in the following year. The ultimate goal is to increase the 
overall integrated employment of those with disabilities while maintaining 
the confidentiality of the employees' personal information.

.     Working with the Department of Civil Rights and legislative partners 
to establish a funding mechanism and policy that allows for employee 
etiquette training and job accommodations to be made for those with a 
disability.

.      Enhancing current internship programs to ensure they are accessible 
to youth with disabilities.

.     Working with all branches of government and the private sector to 
learn about best practices related to hiring individuals with disabilities 
so they can be implemented in state government where appropriate.

.     Collecting and evaluating appropriate data to be used to measure 
progress in hiring persons with disabilities. The evaluation of such data 
shall be provided in an annual report to the Executive Branch and each State 
Department and Agency at the end of each fiscal year.

.     Working with the Department of Technology, Management, and Budget 
(DTMB) to develop a long term strategy and plan for all documents, websites, 
and other printed materials to comply with Americans with

2

Disabilities Act (ADA) and Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility 
Guidelines (ADAAG). This should include both internal and external 
information.

Each state department and agency ADA Coordinator and Human Resources (HR) 
Director will be responsible for overseeing the department/agency employment 
strategy to attract, engage, and advance people with disabilities. The ADA 
Coordinator and HR Director will be responsible for providing an annual 
report to the director of their respective department/agency and the 
director of the MDCR that addresses the progress, gaps, and next steps of 
the employment program. The report shall include the number of current 
self-identified individuals working within their respective department and 
measures to increase this number on an annual basis. The report shall be 
submitted at the end of each fiscal year and published on the pertinent 
department's

website.

My Administration is committed to eliminating barriers for those with 
disabilities who wish to enter the workforce. I expect all state departments 
and agencies will work together with MDCR and the SEODC to ensure that the 
disability employment program is successful. Individuals with disabilities 
have much to offer our great state and should be provided the same 
opportunities for employment as other individuals.

3

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