The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has announced that it plans to hold a public meeting to discuss the employment of people with mental disabilities. The session will be held next Tuesday, March 15, 2011, at the Commission Meeting Room on the First Floor of the EEOC Office Building, 131 “M” Street, NE., Washington, DC 20507.

This meeting follows a recent Senate committee hearing held to address how to improve employment opportunities for those with intellectual disabilities. In his opening statement to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP), Committee Chairman Tom Harkin (D-IA) said:

The important work we have done since the landmark passage 35 years ago of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and 20 years ago of the Americans with Disabilities Act, dramatically improved the lives of persons with disabilities. We have addressed education and we have addressed access. Now we must address employment and economic well being.

During the hearing, Sharon Lewis, Commissioner, Administration on Developmental Disabilities, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, referenced the January 2011 Current Population Survey (CPS) which found that the proportion of the population of people with disabilities who are employed is estimated to be 17%, compared to 63% for people without disabilities. A complete list of the panelists participating in the hearing and links to their testimony can be found here.