[Ohio-talk] FW: "Etiquette" training for state employees

[Smith, JW]

Colleagues and Friends:

This is a very interesting article so I thought that I would pass it along and perhaps Ohio will get on the ball like our friends in Michigan seem to be doing?

Jw

Dr. JW Smith
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School of Communication Studies
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From: Scheetz, Katie [mailto:Katie.Scheetz at ood.ohio.gov]
Sent: Wednesday, October 29, 2014 4:24 PM
To: 'ballnash at yahoo.com'; 'Steve.Brubaker at infocision.com'; John Moore (johnmoore at dsc.org); 'sherryw at pbohio.org'; 'Jmccar15 at kent.edu'; Smith, JW; 'dkkendrick at earthlink.net'; Dungey, Cynthia; Miller, Kevin
Cc: Bishilany, William; Duncan, Melinda; Madson, Bruce; Carmichael, Jamie; Korting, Michelle; Burns, Susan; Murnieks, Raivo; Holtsberry, Kevin; Sammons, Elizabeth; Vickery, Catherine; Horner, Lewis; Ray, Paula; Hackathorn, Jon
Subject: "Etiquette" training for state employees

Director Miller found this article and asked that it be forwarded to you as an example of what can be done in state government.


State employees to receive 'etiquette' training as Michigan moves to welcome workers with disabilities

LANSING, MI - The state of Michigan on Monday announced an effort to hire more people with disabilities and make them feel welcome in state offices.

"We are not talking about charity here. We are talking about providing opportunities for people that have so much to offer but haven't been given a chance in the past," said Lt. Gov. Brian Calley.

He chairs the Mental Health and Wellness Commission, established by Gov. Rick Snyder in 2013. But it's those with all disabilities that the state is hoping to include.

briancalley.jpgMichigan Lt. Gov. Brian Calley is chair of the Mental Health and Wellness Commission. A new state effort to hire and welcome employees with disabilities is based partially on the commission's work. Danielle Duval

Snyder issued a directive that requires the State Equal Opportunity and Diversity Council to recommend a program for "attracting and retaining individuals with mental illness, intellectual or developmental disabilities and physical disabilities," which will include all state departments and agencies.

One goal of the program would be to make sure all employees in the state are trained in disability etiquette. Snyder's stated goal is that all state employees be "adequately trained in disability etiquette by July 1, 2016." To accomplish that, the state would establish a funding mechanism and policy for employee etiquette training and job accommodations to be made for those with a disability.

The program would also include a recommendation on a goal of hiring self-identified people with disabilities into state government, to be summarized in an annual report. Each department will also produce an annual report.

"The ultimate goal is to increase the overall integrated employment of those with disabilities while maintaining the confidentiality of the employees' personal information," Snyder noted in his executive directive.

Goals also include making sure internship programs are open to youth with disabilities and gathering best practices on hiring from the private sector.

The administration is committed to eliminating barriers for those with disabilities who wish to enter the workforce, Snyder said.

"People with disabilities have much to offer our great state and should be provided the same opportunities for employment as everyone else. I expect all state departments and agencies to show leadership and work together to ensure that the disability employment program is successful," Snyder said.

Matt Wesaw, director of the Michigan Department of Civil Rights, supports the Governor's directive.

"If we, as leaders in Michigan, expect to have credibility when we promote diversity, it is vital that we practice what we preach," Wesaw said.

Calley said that some companies in the state, like Meijer, have already been private sector leaders around this topic. But for the state, focusing on it could attract new and talented candidates as well as set an example for private companies not already focusing on disability hiring.

"It's not the sort of thing that happens by accident. It really needs to happen with a concerted effort," Calley said.

Emily Lawler is a Capital/Lansing business reporter for MLive. You can reach her at elawler at mlive.com<mailto:elawler at mlive.com>, subscribe to her on Facebook or follow her on Twitter: @emilyjanelawler.


Kevin L. Miller, Executive Director  M.A.
Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities
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