FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 7, 2000 Contact: Sharon J. Wells (202) 606-2402 OPM OPENS DISABILITY PAGE ON ITS WEB SITE

Washington, D.C.--U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Director Janice R. Lachance today announced a new OPM web page providing federal employment and other information for people with disabilities.

Lachance made the announcement while keynoting an event commemorating the tenth anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act in Madison, Wisconsin.

Located at http://www.opm.gov/disability, the page includes a link to USAJOBS, OPM's on line job listing for thousands of federal job openings.

"To help make the federal government a model employer, the Office of Personnel Management has strongly encouraged agencies to develop and implement programs to recruit, hire, and advance people with disabilities," said Lachance. "We have built this new web site to educate and inform human resources professionals, employees, managers, and people with disabilities about the tools and that are available.

The new web page provides information on topics such as employment appointments, health-related issues (including mental health), benefits, and reasonable accommodation.

By providing consolidated access to information, applicants and employees can take advantage of one-stop-shopping for topics of interest to them.

"The federal government has long said that having a disability is not a disadvantage when seeking employment or when pursing advancement opportunities once employed," said Lachance. "We will continue sending this message in as many ways as possible."

OPM oversees the federal work force and provides the American public with up-to-date employment information. OPM also supports U.S. agencies with personnel services and policy leadership including staffing tools, guidance on labor-management relations and programs to improve work force performance. Information on OPM responsibilities, programs and initiatives may be found at

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Web page created 7 July 2000