ThinkDIFFERENTLY About Disability Employment Act

Summary#

This bill directs the Small Business Administration (SBA), working with the National Council on Disability, to enter into one or more memoranda of understanding or other agreements to increase jobs for people with disabilities. The SBA will: help people with disabilities become entrepreneurs or self-employed; help them find work at small businesses; and help small businesses hire and meet accessibility needs. The SBA must carry out outreach and education about these activities. Within two years the SBA must report to Congress on how it carried out the work, any achievements, possible technical improvements, and plans to continue the work. The bill states that no additional amounts are authorized to be appropriated to carry out the Act.

What it means for you#

• People with disabilities: the SBA will offer help to start businesses, work for small businesses, and access services about jobs and entrepreneurship.
• Small businesses: the SBA will provide assistance with hiring people with disabilities and addressing accessibility issues.
• Public and Congress: the SBA will perform outreach and submit a report within two years describing activities and next steps.

Expenses#

The bill says "No additional amounts are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act." No publicly available information on estimated costs or savings is provided in the bill text or metadata.

Proponents' View#

The bill is written to increase employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities by coordinating SBA work with the National Council on Disability, providing outreach, and reporting progress to Congress.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.