Several advocates and state agencies were interviewed by Ariel Tilson from TPT Almanac as part of the announcement of Executive Order 14-14. Original broadcast date: August 29, 2014. Clip courtesy of Twin Cities PBS. All Rights Reserved.
In 1999, ten percent of state employees had a disability. The number had plummeted to 3.8% in 2014.
Who this impacts
Current and future State of Minnesota employees with disabilities, including those who are deaf, deafblind and hard of hearing
State agencies, commissions, and boards
Solution
Governor Dayton's Executive Order 14-14, signed August 4, 2014, required that at least 7% of state employees be people with disabilities. In 2014, the employment level was 3.8%. MNCDHH staff and board were the lead negotiators. The order includes language that staff will be trained on the benefits of hiring people with disabilities, reinstates a state law that allows qualified applicants with disabilities to be hired without a competitive process (Connect 700), and that a website track and monitor the state's progress on meeting the hiring goals. MNCDHH sat on the cross-agency committee that meetings bi-monthly to ensure implementation. View Executive Order 14-14 (PDF).
MNCDHH co-created the Executive Order 14-14 landing page that tracks the percentage of employees with disabilities and also has a spreadsheet that breaks it down per state agency. The landing page includes information on disability etiquette and laws and policies.
The State of Minnesota reached the 7% goal in August 2018, which was the goal set in the order.
Governor Dayton has completed his term. On April 1, 2019, Governor Tim Walz decided to continue the order and signed Executive Order 19-15 (PDF), which requires that at least 10% of state employees be people with disabilities. This will bring the percentage up to what it was back in 1999. MNCDHH will continue to support this effort.
Who was involved
Ann Feaman, ADA Coordinator, MMB
Colleen Wieck, Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities
David Rosenthal, Director, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Division DHS
Joan Willshire, Executive Director Minnesota State Council on Disability
Kim Moccia, Program Coordinator Minnesota STAR Program
Kim Peck, Director Vocational Rehabilitation Services DEED
Richard Strong, Director State Services for the Blind
Minnesota Commission of the Deaf, DeafBlind & Hard of Hearing (MNCDHH) Employment Task Force
Alan Parnes, Minnesota Commission of the Deaf, DeafBlind & Hard of Hearing (MNCDHH)
Ann Feaman, Minnesota Management and Budget ADA Coordinator
Blaine Lashbrook, Director Minnesota Employment Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
