July 29, 2015 

Inclusive Service as a Pathway to Employment 25 Years after the Americans with Disabilities Act 

Dear Colleague: 

This year, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) and the 

Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the 

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and its legacy of equal opportunity and inclusion. Accordingly, we 

recognize the significant contributions of disability advocates, service professionals, employers, elected 

leaders, and countless other Americans who worked toward the goal of meaningful inclusion by passing 

the ADA. The Department of Labor has released a historical timeline to mark these important 

milestones leading up to and succeeding the passage of the ADA. 

Because employment is essential to participating fully in American life, the widespread adoption of 

policies and practices promoting inclusive workplaces is critical. Importantly, youth and young adults 

with disabilities must have access to career preparatory experiences that can bolstertheir careers. As 

CNCS and ODEP noted in a prior letter, volunteering often helps youth explore their skills and career 

interests. This gives them valuable work experience in fields of their choice and teaches them the 

importance of establishing relationships and networks. By building this self-knowledge and acquiring 

these skills, youth can maximize their personal growth and effectively plan their futures. 

ODEP and CNCS are offering new resources to support this work, including: 

Inclusive Service Learning Guide 

ODEP created a guide for youth service professionals interested in helping young people pursue 

volunteer opportunities. The Fostering Inclusive Volunteering and Service Learning Guide

explores the benefits of volunteering and offers a framework for youth service professionals to 

find service opportunities that are good fitsfor their customers. 

Transition to Employment:Toolkit for National Service Alumni with Disabilities 

In 2014, President Obama launched the Employers of National Service initiative. This 

initiativeconnects former AmeriCorps volunteers with leading employers from the private, 

public, and nonprofit sectors. It provides these employers with a pool of dedicated and highly 

qualified workers that can apply their unique talents and skills to improve their businesses. As 

part of this effort, CNCS released a toolkit to helpAmeriCorps alumni with disabilities find good 

jobs. The toolkit provides information about government resources, disability-specific 

networking, and mentoring. 
How WIOA Supports Service Learning 

The recently enacted Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) updated the workforce 

development system. Significantly, WIOA now provides funding for a variety of youth leadership 

development activities, including community service and peer-centered activities that 

encourage civic responsibility and social engagement. In addition, youth service professionals in 

the workforce development system may take advantage of service learning opportunities in 

WIOA by referring youth eligible for services in this system to explore volunteerism. National 

and community service programs may also connect to these WIOA-funded activities to promote 

the availability of service learning opportunities or to recruit higher numbers of disconnected 

youth, including those with disabilities, into their programs. 

As we carry the ADA’s legacy into the future, we must continue to be vigilant in our efforts to foster the 

inclusion of people with disabilities, including our nation’s youth with disabilities, in all areas of life. 

Please help us share these resources to promote inclusive service. 

Sincerely, 

Jennifer Sheehy Asim Mishra 

Acting Assistant Secretary for Chief of Staff 

Disability Employment Policy Corporation for National & Community Service 

U.S. Department of Labor