Gov.

Rick Snyder: State government must lead by example in efforts to

hire people with disabilities
Executive directive calls for new policies, training across agencies, departments
Monday, Oct. 27, 2014
LANSING, Mich. Michigan must lead by example and provide a welcoming environment for people
with disabilities, encouraging them to work in state government in a competitive, integrated setting,
Gov. Rick Snyder said.
Snyder on Monday issued an executive directive requiring the government adopt a variety of policies
and procedures eliminating hurdles faced by people with disabilities as they seek a career in public
service.
Snyder also called for increased training for all state employees to raise awareness of disability
etiquette and best practices, ensuring every employee is treated with dignity and respect at all times.
My administration is committed to eliminating barriers for those with disabilities who wish to enter
the workforce, Snyder said. People with disabilities have much to offer our great state and should
be provided the same opportunities for employment as everyone else. I expect all state departments
and agencies to show leadership and work together to ensure that the disability employment
program is successful.
Snyder in February 2013 established the bipartisan Mental Health and Wellness Commission, which
has spent the past year working to identify gaps in our current mental health system and provide
recommendations to address those gaps.
With Lt. Gov. Brian Calley serving as the chair, the commission is working to set in place
recommendations including the need to focus on employment options for those with disabilities.
The commission urges a statewide employment policy be created to honor the choices and goals of
people with disabilities, recommends that the state government be a leader in adopting such
employment practices.
The commissions work has already led to important changes with the goal of helping more people
live out self-determined, independent lives Calley said. We must continue to improve and our state
government will lead by example. I appreciate the partnership of the Michigan Department of Civil
Rights and others and I look forward to working with all of our state agencies and departments to
further these efforts.

In coordination with the Civil Rights Department, the Civil Rights Commission, the Civil Service
Commission, and the State Equal Opportunity and Diversity Council, Snyder directed a series of
directives spanning state agencies and departments including:
Working with the Civil Service Commission and executive branch departments and agencies
to provide clear objectives and opportunities for people with disabilities who seek a position
in state government in an integrated setting.
Reviewing current training programs for all state employees to ensure they cover disability
etiquette and best practice. All state employees should be trained by July 1, 2016.
Recommending to the Executive Office and all state departments and agencies a goal of
hiring self-identified people disabilities within state government. The ultimate goal is to
increase the overall integrated employment of those with disabilities while maintaining the
confidentiality of the employees personal information.
Working with the government and private sector to learn about best practices related to
hiring people with disabilities.
Working with the Department of Technology, Management, and Budget to plan for all state
documents, websites, and other printed materials to comply with Americans with Disabilities
Act and Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines.
The State Equal Opportunity and Diversity Council acts in an advisory capacity to the governor, the
Civil Rights Commission and the Civil Service Commission on equal employment opportunity
matters.
Matt Wesaw, director of the Michigan Department of Civil Rights, said, Snyders directive fits with the
departments mission of promoting fairness and opportunities for all people.
If we, as leaders in Michigan, expect to have credibility when we promote diversity, it is vital that we
practice what we preach, Wesaw said.
That means the states hiring practices must be open to all people, including those with
disabilities. State services including online resources and mobile apps must be usable by
everyone. And state employees must be culturally competent and sufficiently trained to serve all of
our customers with dignity and respect.
Each state department and agency ADA coordinator and human resources director will be
responsible for overseeing a strategy to attract, engage, and advance people with disabilities. The
departments and agencies also provide an annual report to the director of their respective
department/agency and the director of the MDCR that addressing progress, gaps, and next steps of
the employment program.
The report shall include the number of current self-identified individuals working within their
respective department and measures to increase this number on an annual basis. The report shall
be submitted at the end of each fiscal year and published on the pertinent departments website.
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