The Department of Labor is offering $10,000 in prizes in a new challenge that calls for developers to create an app using publicly available information, tools, resources and employment data to build a tool that promotes the employment of people with disabilities.
Submissions should be creative and innovative, offering the public easy access to important data and resources. Successful apps could take many different forms, such as interactive and informative games, social or professional networks or data visualization.
Submissions may be designed for internet browsers, smartphones, feature phones, or as native Windows or Macintosh applications, the agency said.
Each submission should achieve at least one of the following goals:
Promote Recruitment Resources for Employers: These features should provide recruitment resources for employers to identify individuals with disabilities to hire by using tools such as Career One-Stops Centers, state Vocational Rehabilitation agencies, employment networks, educational institutions and programs, non-profit organizations, and private recruitment resources.
Develop Job Training and Skill-Building Tools for Job Seekers: These features should include vocational and workforce training resources, apprenticeship, internship, and mentorship resources, resume tips, as well as resources and tools related to “soft skills” (e.g., interview skills, etc.).
Facilitate Employment-Related Transportation Options: These features should use publically available resources to expand individuals with disabilities access to and knowledge of accessible employment-related transportation options.
Expand Web and Information Communication Technology (ICT) Accessibility: These features should use publicly available tools regarding website and ICT accessibility that will help employers improve their systems to be accessible to applicants with disabilities, as well as current employees.
