New Maryland Office to Strengthen Disability Employment Opportunities – Maryland Association of Counties

Report on Maryland’s Initiative for Inclusive Employment and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: Establishment of the Office of Disability Employment Advancement and Policy (ODEAP)

The Maryland Department of Disabilities (MDOD) has established the Office of Disability Employment Advancement and Policy (ODEAP). The new office is dedicated to creating a more inclusive and equitable workforce for Marylanders with disabilities. This initiative is a direct contribution to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), by ensuring full and productive employment for persons with disabilities and promoting their social and economic inclusion.

Legislative Framework and Commitment to Global Goals

ODEAP was created through the Maryland Model Employer Act (HB 502), which established the State as a Model Employer (SAME) initiative. This legislative action positions the State of Maryland as a leader in the recruitment, hiring, and retention of individuals with disabilities. This policy framework strengthens public institutions, aligning with SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), by making them more inclusive and representative.

Governor Wes Moore stated, “We are committed to building a state where every individual has the opportunity to thrive, and that includes ensuring that Marylanders with disabilities have full access to meaningful employment.” This commitment underscores the state’s dedication to breaking down barriers and creating an inclusive workforce that reflects Maryland’s diversity, a core principle of the SDGs.

Strategic Objectives of ODEAP in Support of Sustainable Development

ODEAP will build upon existing work with a focus on innovation, coordination, and collaboration. Its primary objectives are strategically aligned with several SDGs:

1. Advance Career Readiness and Training: Develop and support policies that improve career readiness for students with disabilities and expand employment opportunities. This directly supports SDG 4 (Quality Education) by ensuring equal access to vocational training and SDG 8 by preparing individuals for decent work.
2. Promote Best Practices: Identify and promote best policies and practices for the recruitment, hiring, retention, and advancement of Marylanders with disabilities. This objective is central to achieving Target 8.5 of SDG 8 and Target 10.2 of SDG 10.
3. Foster Partnerships and Engagement: Conduct outreach and engage with job seekers, disability organizations, educators, families, and businesses. This collaborative approach embodies the spirit of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), leveraging multi-stakeholder partnerships to achieve sustainable development.
4. Implement and Monitor Progress: Implement the Maryland as a Model Employer initiative and collect relevant data. This commitment to data-driven policy is crucial for monitoring progress towards the SDGs and ensuring the effectiveness of inclusive institutions, as outlined in SDG 16.

Conclusion: A Comprehensive Strategy for Sustainable and Inclusive Growth

The establishment of ODEAP and the SAME initiative represents a comprehensive strategy by the State of Maryland to advance the rights and opportunities of individuals with disabilities. By embedding principles of equity and inclusion into its state employment framework, Maryland is not only enhancing its workforce but also making significant contributions to the global 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   The article’s primary focus is on creating employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. The establishment of the Office of Disability Employment Advancement and Policy (ODEAP) is aimed at fostering an “inclusive and equitable workforce” and ensuring Marylanders with disabilities have “full access to meaningful employment.” This directly aligns with SDG 8’s goal of promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all.

2. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

   By specifically targeting the barriers faced by Marylanders with disabilities in the workforce, the initiative addresses inequality. The article mentions breaking down barriers and creating a workforce that “reflects the rich diversity of our state.” This connects to SDG 10, which aims to reduce inequality within and among countries by empowering and promoting the social and economic inclusion of all, including persons with disabilities.

3. SDG 4: Quality Education

   The article states that one of ODEAP’s key functions is to “develop and support implementation of policies and strategies that advance career readiness and training for Maryland students with disabilities.” This commitment to providing relevant skills for employment connects to SDG 4, which seeks to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all, including vocational training.

4. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

   The creation of ODEAP was established through legislation, the “Maryland Model Employer Act (HB 502).” This act of creating a dedicated government office to implement and enforce policies for an inclusive workforce demonstrates the development of effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at the state level, which is a core component of SDG 16.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  • Target 8.5: “By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value.” The article’s entire premise, centered on the “recruitment, hiring, and retention of individuals with disabilities,” directly supports this target.

• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

  • Target 10.2: “By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.” The State as a Model Employer (SAME) initiative is a clear effort to promote the economic inclusion of people with disabilities within the state government.

• SDG 4: Quality Education

  • Target 4.4: “By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship.” ODEAP’s focus on advancing “career readiness and training for Maryland students with disabilities” is a direct action toward this target.

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

  • Target 16.b: “Promote and enforce non-discriminatory laws and policies for sustainable development.” The Maryland Model Employer Act (HB 502) is a non-discriminatory law designed to create equitable employment opportunities, aligning with this target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article mentions both direct and implied indicators:

• Direct Indicator: The article explicitly states that a focus of ODEAP will be to “Implement and collect data regarding Maryland as a Model Employer initiative.” This establishes a formal data collection process to measure the success of the program.
• Implied Indicators: The article’s description of ODEAP’s goals implies several measurable outcomes that can serve as indicators of progress.
  • The number and percentage of individuals with disabilities who are recruited, hired, retained, and advanced within the state workforce. This would measure progress towards Target 8.5.
  • The development and implementation of new policies and strategies for career readiness and training for students with disabilities. This would measure progress towards Target 4.4.
  • Data from outreach and engagement activities with job seekers with disabilities, which can be used to assess the program’s reach and effectiveness.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: conduitstreet.mdcounties.org