Federal Register Notice

[Federal Register: December 23, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 247)]
[Notices]
[Page 78864]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr23de08-125]

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SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION

[Docket No. SSA-2008-0052]


Establishment of the Occupational Information Development
Advisory Panel

AGENCY: Social Security Administration (SSA).

ACTION: Notice of the establishment of the Occupational Information
Development Advisory Panel.

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SUMMARY: We are establishing the Occupational Information Development
Advisory Panel (Panel) under the provisions of the Federal Advisory
Committee Act (FACA). The creation of the Panel, while discretionary,
is necessary and in the public interest. It will help us to perform our
statutory duties. We have consulted with the Committee Management
Secretariat, General Services Administration.

ADDRESSES: Members of the public may suggest to the Panel cities and
States in the contiguous United States in which to hold Panel meetings.
To the extent possible, we intend to hold Panel meetings in a variety
of locations throughout the Nation to ensure access to as many
interested parties as possible.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Debra Tidwell-Peters, Designated
Federal Official, Occupational Information Development Advisory Panel,
SSA, by:
     Mail addressed to: SSA, Occupational Information
Development. Advisory Panel, 3-E-26 Operations Building, Baltimore, MD
21235.
     Telephone at: 410-965-9617.
     Fax at: 410-597-0825.
     E-mail to debra.tidwell-peters @ssa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Panel members will analyze the occupational
information used by SSA in our disability programs and provide expert
guidance as we develop an occupational information system (OIS)
tailored for these programs. We plan to design the OIS to improve our
disability policies and processes and to ensure up-to-date vocational
evidence in our disability programs. We will select Panel members based
primarily on their occupational expertise. This Panel will provide
guidance on our plans and actions to replace the Dictionary of
Occupational Titles and its companion volume, The Selected
Characteristics of Occupations. We expect to tailor the OIS
specifically for our disability programs.
    The Panel will be composed of not more than 12 members, including:
(a) Members of academia recognized as experts in relevant subject
areas, such as occupational analysis, vocational assessment, and
physical and occupational rehabilitation; (b) professional experts in
relevant subject areas, such as vocational rehabilitation, forensic
vocational assessment, and disability insurance programs; (c) medical
professionals with experience in relevant subject areas such as
occupational or physical rehabilitation medicine, psychiatry or
psychology, and physical or occupational therapy; (d) professional
experts who represent or advocate on behalf of the disabled claimants;
and (e) an agency employee who has expertise in our disability program
policies, processes, and systems. The Panel is continuing in nature. In
accordance with the FACA, we will publish a notice of the first Panel
meeting in the Federal Register .

    Dated: December 9, 2008.
Michael J. Astrue,
Commissioner of Social Security.
[FR Doc. E8-30589 Filed 12-22-08; 8:45 am]

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