ePolicyWorks

Launched by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), ePolicyWorks utilizes interactive technology to facilitate the exchange of ideas and information between federal policymakers and key stakeholders. It has become a national model for policy-building efforts. The centerpiece of this initiative is an accessible crowdsourcing tool that enables participation from federal agencies, non-governmental organizations, businesses, advocacy groups, workers and job seekers with disabilities, and other stakeholders. These "virtual town halls" allow participants to share information, best practices, and collaborative ideas to address barriers and drive policy changes that support disability employment.

This tool is more engaging, interactive, cost-effective, flexible, and accessible than traditional methods, such as in-person listening sessions or qualitative research. ePolicyWorks has hosted online dialogues on important topics related to disability employment, including workplace accommodations, advancing state policies, inclusive AI in hiring, accessible autonomous vehicles, racial and social equity, and hiring and retaining people with disabilities in small businesses.

To date, ePolicyWorks has hosted over 65 interactive online dialogues, reaching more than 27,000 registrants who contributed over 6,900 ideas and generated more than 59,800 engagements.