KANSAS AND EEOC PARTNER TO PROMOTE HIRING AND ADVANCEMENT OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES IN STATE JOBS

Governor Sebelius Joins Best Practices Project Tied to President's New Freedom Initiative

WASHINGTON - In an open press meeting at the Kansas State Capitol on Wednesday, December 1, at 11:45 a.m., Governor Kathleen Sebelius and U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Chair Cari M. Dominguez will sign a joint resolution aimed at enhancing state government employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities nationwide. By this agreement, the State of Kansas and the EEOC will jointly review Kansas' recruitment, hiring, and reasonable accommodation programs to identify best practices worthy of emulation by other states.

Kansas is one of 11 states to join the EEOC in this unique project to further advance the New Freedom Initiative President George W. Bush's comprehensive program to fully integrate the nation's 54 million individuals with disabilities into all aspects of American life. The Commission will provide consultation, outreach, and technical assistance.  On October 28, the EEOC issued an interim report detailing best practices found in Florida, Maryland, Vermont and Washington the first four states reviewed.  The EEOC plans to issue a final report next October outlining best practices and potential barriers to employment nationwide.  Other current partners in this effort are Utah, Missouri, New Mexico, New Hampshire, North Carolina and Texas.

"The EEOC appreciates the leadership of Governor Sebelius in this effort to advance the employment of Americans with disabilities," said Chair Dominguez.  "We welcome the State of Kansas as a partner in this project and look forward to a collaborative exchange for the benefit of our entire nation."

"I am pleased to join the EEOC in these efforts to identify best practices in order to enhance state government employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities," said Governor Sebelius.  "This is an important step for our state."

In addition to Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which prohibits employment discrimination against people with disabilities in the private sector and in state and local governments, and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which prohibits employment discrimination against people with disabilities in the federal sector, the EEOC enforces Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, religion or national origin; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, which protects workers age 40 and older from discrimination based on age; the Equal Pay Act of 1963; and sections of the Civil Rights Act of 1991. Proactive prevention of discrimination is an important part of the agency's mission. More information about the Commission is available at www.eeoc.gov.