Women In Government Podcast State as a Model Employer to Engage a More Diverse and Representative Workforce According to the most recent U.S. Census data, there are more than 42-million Americans with disabilities. Across all age groups, these folks are more likely to be unemployed. That’s why state leaders, government agencies, and task forces are uniting to help advance inclusive policies and best practices that lead to increased employment opportunities for disabled people, and a stronger, more diverse American workforce and economy. This episode highlights how states can send a clear message that employment of people with disabilities is a high priority by implementing a comprehensive set of policies, practices, and processes, known collectively as State as a Model Employer (SAME) policies, to increase representation of people with disabilities within their own public-sector workforce. When acting as model employers, the states also have an opportunity to serve as test cases for private employers, demonstrating the economic and organizational benefits of hiring people with disabilities. Now is the time for leaders to take action. ••••• ••••• ••••• MODERATOR: Women In Government Board Director, Oklahoma Senator, Jessica Garvin GUEST #1: Minnesota Representative, Liz Reyer GUEST #2: Chief of Staff for the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), United States Department of Labor, Anupa Geevarghese ••••• ••••• ••••• For more information, please visit www.womeningovernment.org Audio courtesy of OSUCHLUCK Productions, www.osuchluck.com