The Labor Department’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) has revised the form that federal contractors must use for employees and job applicants to voluntarily self-identify if they have a disability. Contractors are not allowed to alter the content of the form and have until July 25 to implement the new form into their applicant and employee systems.
The new form updates the preferred language for disabilities to include additional examples such as:
- Alcohol or other substance use disorder (not currently using drugs illegally);
- Disfigurement, for example caused by burns, wounds, accidents, or congenital disorders;
- Mobility impairment, benefiting from the use of a wheelchair, scooter, walker, leg brace(s) and/or other supports;
- Neurodivergence, for example, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia, other learning disabilities;
- Partial or complete paralysis (any cause);
- Pulmonary or respiratory conditions, for example, tuberculosis, asthma, emphysema;
- Short stature (dwarfism); and
- Traumatic brain injury.
Pre- and post-offer opportunities to self-identify. Federal contractors must invite job applicants to self-identify at both the pre- and post-offer stage of employment. Every five years, employees must be given the opportunity to self-identify with the form.
