EEO retreat slated for February
-- EOD Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Office,
   January 2003

Recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings impacting the Americans with Disabilities Act will be the focus of a two-day retreat for state Equal Employment Opportunity officers.

"These latest rulings will change the way state government enforces regulations for the physically and mentally disabled," said Felicia Godbolt, EEO program supervisor for the Ohio Department of Administrative Services' Equal Opportunity Division. "We'll examine the effect on human resources issues as well."

This second annual EEO Officers Retreat, sponsored by DAS, will be held Feb. 12 and 13 at the Ohio Civil Rights Commission, 1111 E. Broad St., Columbus. The retreat is titled "ADA Inclusion, Access and Compliance."

Experts on each topic are scheduled to speak at the retreat. Floyd Weatherspoon of Capital University Law School will discuss the recent court decisions. Michael Hogan, director of the Ohio Department of Mental Health and chairman of the President's New Freedom Commission on Mental Health, will cover mental disability. Susan Nagel, human resources training administrator for DAS, will address appropriate behavior when dealing with the disabled.

State employees with physical and mental disabilities function in a wide range of positions within government. "As EEO/ADA professionals, it is imperative to provide effective services and necessary support to these employees," said Wiley H. Clodfelder, state EEO coordinator, who is committed to this training opportunity.

The target audience includes State of Ohio agency EEO officers, ADA coordinators and human resources and legal professionals. Due to limited seating, EEO/ADA professionals will be given first consideration to attend.

For more information or to register, you may contact EEO Program Supervisor Felicia Godbolt at (614) 466-7313 or visit the retreat Web site das.ohio.gov/EEOretreat.