Jobs @ Census

Disability Program

Created in 2003, the Disability Program Office (DPO) works to remove barriers to the employment of people of all abilities. It is important for each of us to remember that although we may not have a disability today, we might acquire one tomorrow. A slip or fall, an automobile accident, or a call from a physician concerning the results of recent medical exams can drastically change our lives forever. With that in mind, we hope that each employee finds comfort in knowing that the Disability Program Office is here to assist.  

DPO provides the following services/support to employees at Census.

Reasonable Accommodation (hrd.accommodations@census.gov )

• Provides a neutral/unbiased opinion on disabilities matters to all customers
• Plays an integral role in the reasonable accommodation process
• Promotes and practices confidentiality of medical information
• The reasonable accommodation procedures that Census utilizes, is the DAO 215-10
• Reasonable accommodation is a change in the work environment or in the way things are customarily done that would enable an individual with a disability to enjoy equal employment opportunities

Summary of Reasonable Accomodation Request Procedures

• An applicant, employee or someone acting on either’s behalf (family member, health professional, or other representative) may submit a request for reasonable accommodation. This request must be submitted to a supervisor in the employee’s chain of command or the Disability Program Office.
• The request for reasonable accommodation must contain the following information:
  • Applicant/ Employee Name
  • Applicant/Employee Phone Number
  • Employee’s Division
  • Name and Telephone of Employee’s Immediate Supervisor
  • Initial Date of Request (if different from date info submitted in writing - include explanation)
  • Description of Accommodation(s) Requested by Applicant/Employee

For your convenience you may complete the attached abbreviated version of the CD 575 [172K]. The information may be sent via e-mail to the Disability Program Office at hrd.accommodations@census.gov.

• Medical information may be needed to support a request for accommodation. To facilitate the process, the requesting employee may utilize Request for Medical Information [159K]. The information should not be provided to the supervisor.
• Supervisors are encouraged to approve reasonable accommodation requests from employees with known or apparent disabilities. Before declining any request, supervisors must notify the Disability Program Office for guidance.
  

Selective Placement / Recruitment (census.schedule.a.hiring@census.gov )

• Develops recruitment solutions tailored to specific hiring needs
• Markets office vacancies to persons with disabilities who are eligible for non-competitive placement via the Schedule A hiring authority
• Represents Census at events focused on hiring veterans with disabilities

Interpreting and CART Services (hrd.interpreting.&.CART@census.gov )

• We coordinate sign language interpreting services, Computer Aided Real-Time Translation (CART), and other assistive technologies for interviews, meetings, trainings and a variety of Census sponsored events, whether on-site or off-site, even office holiday parties as well.

Training and Awareness

• Develops new, and reviews existing, policies, procedures and guidance to ensure the needs of persons with disabilities – whether Census Bureau employees, customers, etc – are properly addressed
• Develops and facilitates training on disability issues
• Represents Census as a partner in the Perspectives on Employment of Persons with Disabilities Conference - the largest conference focused on the employment of persons with disabilities in the federal sector

Partnering and Community Involvement

• Provides assistance and expertise to Federal Disability Program Managers, Selective Placement Coordinators, HR Specialists and EEO Specialists on Schedule A and disability program management
• Participates in activities sponsored by community-based organizations and state / DC vocational rehabilitation offices to demystify the federal hiring process for persons with disabilities

Disability Program Office
Strategic Recruitment and Outreach Branch
Human Resources Division
Room HQ-2J234
Suitland, MD 20746
301-763-4060 Office
301-763-9895 Fax
hrd.disability.program@census.gov