The Office of Personnel Management has issued a final rule for excepted-service appointments of persons with mental retardation, severe physical disabilities, and psychiatric disabilities.
The rule — published in the July 26 Federal Register — consolidates three separate appointing authorities pertaining to persons with disabilities and it clarifies employment options.
The regulation also expands the types of entities from which an agency can accept proof of disability and certification of an applicant’s job readiness.
Agencies may begin using the authority on August 25 for all new appointments, and must convert individuals serving under preexisting authorities to the new authority by
January 22.
