Introduction to the
National Workplace Forum
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Last Updated:
12/04/01 04:38 PM
Copyright 2001 Worksupport.com©
VCU-RRTC on Workplace Supports and the US Chamber of Commerce entered into a joint partnership in 1998. The goal was to assist Chamber members and businesses in hiring and retaining quality workers with disabilities. The Chamber recognized that the on-going labor shortage nationally could be addressed by actively recruiting this untapped labor pool. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing nearly three million companies, 3000 state and local chambers, 775 business associations and 87 American Chambers abroad. The partnership between the RRTC and the US Chamber of Commerce has resulted in the dissemination of information through joint publications such as the recent “Fast Facts” “Employers Turning to Non-Traditional Sources of Labor.” On September 10, 2001, the VCU-RRTC joined with the Center for Workforce Preparation(CWP), a nonprofit affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to host the National Workplace Forum. Since employment is one of the most critical issues facing Americans with disabilities the two partners felt that a National Workplace Forum could start a dialogue for identifying the barriers, strategies, policies, as well as setting a research agenda. The day-long Forum consisted of four panels that represented business, government, and the research communities. This combination set the stage for a healthy dialogue between the panel experts and invited participants who responded to the panel presenters. This format was promoted an active interchange between participants on the impact that current policies, practices and research is having on the hiring and retaining, as well as, returning injured workers with disabilities to the workplace. Finally, many businesses, as well as disability organizations are demanding a change in the unemployment of people with disabilities across the country. The VCU-RRTC and the US Chamber of Commerce hope that t he outcomes from the National Forum will be one way to implement a new agenda for increasing the employment of individuals with disabilities. Link to the Entire Chamber Event
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