Disabilityinfo Website Renamed

The U.S. Department of Labor today launched Disability.gov, a redesigned federal Web site that connects the more than 50 million Americans with disabilities to thousands of trusted resources on disability-related issues, programs and services. Formerly known as DisabilityInfo.gov, the site has been completely redesigned and updated with new social media tools, such as a blog and a Twitter feed, to encourage feedback and interaction among visitors. Disability.gov is not just for Americans with disabilities, but also for parents of children with disabilities, employers, workforce and human resource professionals, veterans, educators, caregivers and many others.

Disability.gov features comprehensive information from 22 federal agencies, as well as educational institutions, non-profit organizations and state and local governments. Topics covered on the site include: benefits; civil rights; community life; education; emergency preparedness; employment; health; housing; technology; and transportation.

We ask that you please let your constituents know about Disability.gov. You can do this by sending an e-mail to your networks; placing a news item about the site on your Web site, blog or Twitter feed; or by including an article in the next issue of your newsletter. We would be happy to supply you with any additional communications materials you may need. Please let us know if you would like us to send you a press release, fact sheet, talking points, sample Twitter posts or news articles.

from your Web site, please take a moment to update your link to www.Disability.gov http://cts.vresp.com/c/?ConceptsPR/621daffd39/8205953e96/4afbcf3a30 . If you are not currently linking to us, we hope that you'll add this to your Web site. To link to Disability.gov, visit our Link to Us page www.disability.gov/link_to_us http://cts.vresp.com/c/?ConceptsPR/621daffd39/8205953e96/f5eba82d18 ). Please let us know if you have any questions. We hope you enjoy the new site and find it useful.

News Release Disability.gov offers social media tools, upgrades to complement information from 22 federal agencies on disability-related programs and services.

Launch of revamped site to coincide with Americans with Disabilities Act's 19th anniversary

WASHINGTON - In conjunction with the 19th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the U.S. Department of Labor has re-named and re-launched DisabilityInfo.gov as Disability.gov. The site offers comprehensive information about programs and services to better serve more than 50 million Americans with disabilities, their family members, veterans, employers, educators, caregivers and anyone interested in disability-related information.

The new Web site will integrate content from 22 federal agencies and be managed by the Labor Department. The former DisabilityInfo.gov site has been revamped with social media tools to encourage interaction and feedback, and new ways to organize, share and receive information. Visitors will be able to sign up for personalized news and updates, participate in online discussions and suggest resources for the site.

New features include a Twitter feed, Really Simple Syndication feeds, a blog, social bookmarking and a user-friendly way to obtain answers to questions on such topics as finding employment and job accommodations. Additional tools will be added during the months ahead.

"The new Disability.gov site is bigger, better, faster and stronger than the old site," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "Far more than just a directory of federal resources, Disability.gov is a meeting ground for Americans to learn, respond and communicate about a wealth of critically important disability-related topics."

The site is organized into 10 subject areas: benefits, civil rights, community life, education, emergency preparedness, employment, health, housing, technology and transportation. By selecting a category, visitors are directed to useful information on federal and state government programs and services, news and events, grants and funding opportunities, and more.

"The Department of Labor is pleased to be the managing partner of Disability.gov and to help advance the independence and full participation of people with disabilities in the workforce, the classroom and their communities," said Kathleen Martinez, assistant secretary for the Labor Department's Office of Disability Employment Policy.

Disability.gov contains thousands of links to reliable information from its federal agency partners, as well as educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, and state and local governments.

ODEP is leading a 21st century federal response to the historic underemployment of people with disabilities. In collaboration with other government agencies, public and private employers, and additional stakeholders, ODEP facilitates the development and implementation of innovative policies and practices necessary to achieve a fully inclusive workplace. ODEP's work primarily falls into three categories: employers and the workplace; workforce systems; and employment-related supports, which include education and training, health care, reliable transportation, affordable housing and assistive technology. For more information, visit www.dol.gov/odep http://cts.vresp.com/c/?ConceptsPR/621daffd39/8205953e96/f55950391f .

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U.S. Department of Labor releases are accessible on the Internet at http://www.dol.gov http://cts.vresp.com/c/?ConceptsPR/621daffd39/8205953e96/b828c3e2a5 . The information in this news release will be made available in alternate format (large print, Braille, audio tape or disc) from the COAST office upon request. Please specify which news release when placing your request at 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755. The Labor Department is committed to providing America's employers and employees with easy access to understandable information on how to comply with its laws and regulations. For more information, please visit http://www.dol.gov/compliance http://cts.vresp.com/c/?ConceptsPR/621daffd39/8205953e96/d6005474a0