EEOC

Intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) may be covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act. The EEOC has resolved many cases on behalf of individuals with IDD. The rights of individuals with IDD is a focus in our Strategic Enforcement Plan. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, developmental disabilities are a group of conditions due to an impairment in physical, learning, language, or behavior areas. Typically, developmental disabilities begin during a child’s developmental period, may impact day-to-day functioning, and usually last throughout a lifetime. Intellectual disabilities are a type of developmental disability. Recent estimates in the U.S. show that about 1 in 6, or about 17%, of children aged 3 to17 have one or more developmental disabilities. The EEOC released a new webpage for IDD which has resources, guidance, and tips for people with IDD and employers.

Today, the EEOC celebrates the 34th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). Long before the ADA became law, persons with disabilities were fighting for the right to fair treatment and full inclusion in American society. When regulations to implement its predecessor law, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, stalled, disability advocates held sit-ins and protests, and successfully worked with elected officials to advocate for equal treatment and the completion of the regulations. The ADA’s passage in 1990 opened new doors of opportunity by creating federal protections for disabled persons when applying for jobs and working in the private sector or for state or local governments. As a result, for the first time, millions of Americans with disabilities had an enforceable right to equal protection under the law in these workplaces. Clearly, however, there is still more work to do, as our experience at the EEOC shows. In fiscal year 2023 alone, the EEOC received more than 29,000 disability-related discrimination charges—an all-time high. The EEOC is dedicated to combating all forms of workplace discrimination, and we work to remedy cases of discrimination against Americans with disabilities each year. In fiscal year 2023, the EEOC recovered more than $147 million for victims of disability-based discrimination and filed 49 cases in federal court. Within the last year, the agency secured a resolution of over $1 million in a lawsuit alleging a government contractor that provides janitorial and maintenance employees to other companies failed to provide accommodations and terminated employees who requested medical leave. In another EEOC lawsuit, a jury awarded $36 million (reduced to $335,682 due to statutory caps) to a qualified driver who was not hired by Werner Trucking because he is deaf, even though he had Department of Transportation waivers and had passed the company’s process. Recently, the EEOC filed its first Long COVID-related disability suit on behalf of a worker in Colorado. In honor of this year’s ADA anniversary, the EEOC is launching a new webpage (https://lnkd.in/e6iDCKQA) dedicated to providing resources for workers with intellectual and developmental disabilities and releasing several disability-related videos on its YouTube channel. The new webpage includes technical assistance about filing a charge of discrimination, case resolutions, and a listing of additional federal resources. If you are looking for resources to help understand your employment rights under the ADA or need ideas on how to obtain a disability accommodation in the workplace, visit https://lnkd.in/exWiA-tp or askjan.org. As we celebrate the anniversary of this landmark law, the EEOC renews our firm commitment to advancing the full equality of persons with disabilities in America’s workforce. -EEOC Chair Charlotte A. Burrows

Legal Protections for Mental Health Related Disabilities at Work Free Webinar  August 8, 2024 at 12:00PM Pacific EEOC Lead Outreach & Education Coordinator Nikki St. Germain and Kara Brodfuerhrer, Senior Fair Employment & Housing Counsel for the California Civil Rights Department will discuss the differences between federal and state law, reasonable accommodations and essential functions, and medical documentation requests employers can make during the interactive process. This free webinar is presented by the Employment Roundtable of Southern California and NCERT.  Register here: https://lnkd.in/e3mseNam

Join the EEOC Charlotte District Office today, July 24, at 1 p.m. ET for a celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act with a special conversation with historic civil rights pioneer, Dorothy “Dot” Counts-Scoggins. EEOC Senior Attorney Advisor, Muslima Lewis, will also provide an informative presentation on the EEOC’s new enforcement guidance on harassment in the workplace during this free webinar. Register here for this free virtual event: https://lnkd.in/ef8J5Cey

What legal and ethical issues can arise from the use of social media? Join us in learning how to identify the risks and minimize liability regarding the use of social media in the employment arena. Register here: https://lnkd.in/erBNrtJq #EEOCEXCEL

Join us at EXCEL24 for a discussion on the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act! EEOC General Attorney Kerry Leibig will share insights into workers’ rights and employer responsibilities under the final regulations. https://lnkd.in/erBNrtJq #EEOCEXCEL #PWFA

The EEOC announced today the selection of Melinda Caraballo as the new director of the EEOC Phoenix district, with offices in Albuquerque, Denver, and Phoenix. Originally from Waukesha, Wisconsin, Caraballo has served as the deputy director of the Phoenix District Office, a position she held since 2018, and was named acting district director in 2022. “Melinda Caraballo leads by example, takes initiative and serves with passion and commitment,” said EEOC Chair Charlotte A Burrows. “She is a dynamic leader, with significant experience in civil rights enforcement, and the EEOC is fortunate to have her leadership in the Phoenix District.” Use this link to read the announcement: https://lnkd.in/eHRPw6wM

Join the EEOC Chicago District Office for a deep dive into the complex world of sex-based discrimination during an in-person seminar at the Metcalfe Federal Building. Experts in employment law, including EEOC Vice Chair Joycelyn Samuels, will discuss the latest trends in EEO and best practices related to sexual harassment, LGBTQI , the PUMP Act and the PWFA.  Fee: $350 Dates:  July 23, 2024 Program Hours: 9 a.m. – 2:10 p.m. CT   Use this link to see the full agenda and secure your spot: https://lnkd.in/euNrH_dz #Chicago #Midwest #EEO #Training

Thinking of attending the 2024 EEOC EXCEL Training Conference? Act soon to secure your spot! The hotel room block closes on July 27. Register today at https://lnkd.in/erBNrtJq #EEOCEXCEL #NewOrleans

Join us for a review of recent court decisions, and EEOC regulations and enforcement guidance impacting the workplace. Agency leaders and experts will provide insights, strategies, and best practices on a range of EEO issues to boost compliance. Register soon to join us. https://lnkd.in/ePGWaKp6 #Atlanta