Increasing Federal Employment of Individuals With Disabilities

This executive order directs federal agencies to increase recruitment, hiring, and retention of individuals with disabilities, with specific numerical goals and mandatory training programs. It revives implementation of a 2000 Clinton-era hiring target of 100,000 additional workers with disabilities over 5 years, requires agency-specific plans with performance targets, and mandates improvements to return-to-work programs for injured federal employees.

Federal Register Open PDF 75 FR 45039

Impact dates

Jul 26, 2011
OPM reviews effectiveness of SF 256 targeted disability definition
Jan 22, 2011
Agencies develop agency-specific plans with performance targets and numerical goals
Sep 24, 2010
OPM designs model recruitment/hiring strategies and mandatory training programs

Key directives

OPM to design model recruitment and hiring strategies within 60 days
OPM to develop mandatory training for HR personnel and hiring managers within 60 days
Each agency to develop agency-specific plan with performance targets and numerical goals within 120 days of OPM strategies
Each agency to designate senior-level official accountable for disability employment
Agencies to increase Schedule A excepted service hiring authority use for persons with disabilities
Agencies to increase disability participation in internships, fellowships, and mentoring programs
OPM to implement public progress reporting system
OPM to post government-wide disability hiring statistics on website
Secretary of Labor to pursue FECA system reform and propose outcome measures
OPM to review and revise SF 256 targeted disability definition not less than 1 year after order

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

Senior-level agency officials designated for disability employment accountability

Near term (90d)

OPM to design model recruitment/hiring strategies and mandatory training programs (60 days)
Agencies to develop agency-specific disability employment plans with numerical goals (120 days after OPM strategies issued)

Long term

5-year hiring goals under EO 13163 to be achieved
OPM review of SF 256 targeted disability definition (not less than 1 year)
FECA system reform proposals
Ongoing progress reporting to President, agencies, and public

Risks & tensions

5-year hiring target from 2000 EO 13163 was previously unimplemented; revival may face similar execution challenges
Numerical goals required but specific target numbers not stated in this order, leaving goal-setting to agency plans or prior EO
Voluntary self-disclosure of disability status may limit data accuracy for tracking progress
FECA reform requires legislative action; EO only directs proposals
Subject to availability of appropriations may constrain implementation scope