Management Division Personnel & Manpower Development Branch United States 230 South Dearborn Street Environmental Protection Agency Chicago, Illinois 60604 February 1979 4>EPA AFFIRMATIVE ACTION PLAN FOR EMPLOYMENT OF THE HANDICAPPED ------- UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY REGION V FEB - i 19/79 SUBJECT: Employment of the Handicapped Disabled FWMJ _ John McGuire Regional Administrator T0: All Supervisors I would like to take this opportunity to remind you of our Agency's commitment to give full consideration to handicapped individuals in placement and in advancement opportunities within the Agency. As Regional Administrator, I will make every effort to see that this Region fulfills the Agency's commitment, and I ask that each of you do the same. With your help, we can make the remainder of FY 1979 a meaningful period in employment and advancement of the handicapped. Region V's 1979 Affirmative Action Plan for employment of the Handi- capped has been approved by Headquarters, and is attached for your review. If you have any questions concerning action items, target dates, etc., please contact Mr. James V. Byrne, or Mr. Rick L. Slagle in the Personnel and Manpower Development Branch. Attachment EPA FORM 1320-6 !REV, 3-76) ------- 1979 AFFIRMATIVE ACTION PROGRAM PLAN ON EMPLOYMENT OF THE HANDICAPPED AND DISABLED VETERANS OBJECTIVE I. ACTION ITEM Publicize the FY79 Regional Plan Establish goals for Regional Coordinator's time spent with pro- gram Display posters and/or literature on "Hire the Handicapped" Forward Regional Affirmative Action Plan to the Agency Coordinator Forward accomplishment reports to the Agency Coordinator Distribute Affirmative Action Plan to all regional managers and supervisors Regional Coordinator will be given appro- priate training in car- rying out his/her responsibilities To Properly Administer the Selective Placement Programs through Effective Policy, Appropriate Resources and Necessary Publicity IMPLEMENTATION STEPS Regional Administrator will sign a memo to all employees and will discuss the importance of program at Regional Staff Meeting Regional Coordinator will devote at least 5% of his/ her time on the Selective Placement Program Order available posters from the Civil Service Commission and local rehabilitation agencies, and display on all main bulletin boards Prepare and submit plan in accordance with guidelines and target date Prepare and submit accom- plishment report by target dates OFFICIALS RESPONSIBLE * Regional Coordinator Personnel Officer and Regional Coordinator Regional Coordinator Personnel Officer and Regional Coordinator Personnel Officer and Regional Coordinator Arrange for distribution once Regional Coordinator approved by Headquarters Schedule appropriate selec- tive placement training courses for the Regional Coordinator Training Officer TARGET DATE 1/31/79 7/1/78 & cont. 12/1/78 10/31/78 1/31/79 5/31/79 11/30/78 6/30/79 ------- OBJECTIVE II, ACTION ITEM Evaluate plan in accordance with Agency guidelines Involve handicapped em- ployees in the evaluation and administration of the program OBJECTIVE III. Establish hiring and/or promotion goals for handicapped and disabled veterans OBJECTIVE IV, Communications with leaders from vocational rehabilitation agen- cies, and organiza- tions representing -disabled individuals and veterans groups -will be maintained to • develop mutual "understanding of needs Mailing lists of vet- erans' organizations, vocational rehabili- tation agencies, etc., "will be developed, 'reviewed and updated periodically To Establish an Internal Evaluation System to Effectively Review and Improve the Program TARGET IMPLEMENTATION STEPS OFFICIALS RESPONSIBLE DATE Same.as Action Item Solicit comments from handicapped employees in seeking ways to make improvement in the program Regional Coordinator "Regional" Coordinator 1/31/79 5/31/79 1/31/79 & cont. Maintain an Accurate Internal Data Information System and Utilize this Information in Program Planning and Evaluation Evaluate regional handicap data for the purpose of establishing action goals 'Evaluate program in meet- ing these goals Division/Office Directors and Regional Coordinator Regional Coordinator 9/30/78 6/30/79 To Include Available Sources of Handicapped Persons in :EPA's Recruitment Effort Periodic meetings will be held with representatives of appropriate agencies Training Officer and Regional Coordinator 10/1/78 & cont. Develop addresses and con- - tacts - review and update addresses and contacts annually Training Officer and "Regional Coordinator 12/31/78 ------- OBJECTIVE IV. Cont. riON ITEM IMPLEMENTATION STEPS Same as Action Item Same as Action Item cancy announcements 11 be sent to appro- bate agencies on the st which can refer ndicapped and sabled applicants igional publication aterials will be eviewed to ensure that anguage is non- iscriminatory 'remote the use of VRA Issue a memo to all super- ippointments to visors and managers nanagers and supervisors encouraging the use of VRA appointments Promote employment of handicapped individ- uals in the Cooperative Education Program OBJECTIVE V. Develop training plans for and counsel handi- capped employees regarding training opportunities Same as Action Item Review program results TARGET OFFICIALS RESPONSIBLE DATE Regional Coordinator Continuing Office of Public Affairs Continuing Regional Coordinator 12/31/78 Personnel Officer and 8/15/78 Regional Coordinator & cont. Regional Coordinator 6/30/79 To Include Handicapped Employees in Advancement and Training Programs a. Meet with handicapped_ employees and determine career goals and training needs. b. Develop training plans c. Make training oppor- tunities known to handicapped employees d. Follow up to see how effective training has been Supervisor Continuing Handicapped employees, supervisor, training officer Training Officer Continuing 6/30/79 ------- OBJECTIVE V. Cont. ACTION ITEM Develop and present training materials on the handicap program in supervisory courses Ensure that advance- ment opportunities are open to the handicapped Provide on-the-job training opportunities. for disabled veterans IMPLEMENTATION STEPS Include materials on the program in personnel management seminars and training courses for managers and supervisors Open vacancy announcements to the handicapped as appropriate Use paid employees where possible - otherwise, consider voluntary service OFFICIALS RESPONSIBLE Training Officer TARGET DATE 9/1/78 Regional Coordinator Regional Supervisors 7/1/78 6/30/79 OBJECTIVE VI To Insure the Accessibility of EPA Facilities to All Determine extent to which architectural barriers still exist in EPA facilities •Remove any remaining barriers Survey building, utilizing handicapped employees when appropriate, to determine if barriers still exist Prioritize identified bar- riers, and coordinate with the General Services Branch and GSA for removal of barriers Chief, General Branch Services 3/31/79 General Services Branch. GSA with input from Regional Coordinator 6/30/79 ------- |