State Exchange on Employment and Disability (SEED)

The Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) with the U.S. Department of Labor, also works to advance state policy by sponsoring the State Exchange on Employment and Disability (SEED)—a collaborative of state intermediary organizations working together to help state legislators ensure their state policies facilitate increased employment of people with disabilities. Specifically, SEED aims to ensure state-level legislation critical to employment—such as transportation and technology—is disability inclusive. To this end, SEED equips state legislators with timely data, sample policy language and technical assistance.

Current partners in SEED include:

• National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL);
• Council of State Governments (CSG); and
• Women in Government (WIG).

One of the most significant outcomes of SEED thus far is the convening of a joint National Task Force on Workforce Development and People with Disabilities. This year-long effort, spearheaded by CSG and NCSL and co-chaired by Senator Beau McCoy (NE) and Governor Jack Markell (DE), brought together state policymakers to address barriers to employment and identify state-level policy solutions for building stronger, more inclusive workforces. Specifically, these individuals explored four policy areas impacting the employment of people with disabilities:

• Career Readiness and Employability;
• Hiring, Retention and Reentry;
• Entrepreneurship, Tax Incentives and Procurement; and
• Technology, Transportation and Other Employment Supports.

Upon its conclusion, the National Task Force issued a report, titled Work Matters: A Framework for States on Workforce Development for People with Disabilities, describing a range of related policy initiatives in place by states. The report can be accessed from either the CSG or NCSL website. In addition to identifying policy options to help state leaders move the needle on disability employment policy, many National Task Force members have initiated policy movement in their states. Furthermore, on an ongoing basis, SEED provides direct technical assistance in response to requests from state policymakers seeking support to develop and implement effective disability employment policy options.

Under SEED, NCSL also developed a new Disability Employment Legislative Database, which provides current information on legislative efforts in the states and territories targeting disability employment and related issues. This database tracked legislation from the 2016 legislative session, including 2015 carryover legislation, and covers: Major Disability Employment Policy Areas; Public and Private Sector Employment Strategies; Workforce Readiness and Education Efforts; Accessibility and Employee Supports; State Implementation of Federal Disability Policies; and Other Disability Policy Areas.