SSA to Study DOT Replacement
March 1, 2008
Author: Catherine M. Callery (Kate)| Louise M. Tarantino
Ann Biddle, Esq., Paul M. Ryther, Esq.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has assembled a federal advisory panel, the Occupational Information Development Advisory Panel (OIDAP), to provide expert guidance to the Occupational Information Development Project (OIDP). SSA initiated the OIDP to work on replacing the Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT) with an occupational information system designed for SSA's disability programs. Notification of the formation of the panel was published in the Federal Register on December 23, 2008 (73 Fed. Reg. 78864).
The panel is comprised of eleven external members and one SSA representative. Areas of expertise include occupational analysis, vocational rehabilitation, forensic vocational assessment, disability insurance programs, psychiatry, occupational rehabilitation, disability advocacy, and SSA disability programs and policy. The Office of Program Development and Research’s (OPDR's) Occupational Information Development team, which is heading up the project, has been joined by Dr. Robert J. Harvey of Virginia Tech for one year under the Intergovernmental Personnel Act. Dr. Harvey has extensive experience in job/occupational analysis and expertise in psychometric methods. Nancy G. Shor, Executive Director of the National Organization of Social Security Claimant’s Representatives (NOSSCR) has also been appointed to the panel.
The Commissioner anticipates that it may take three to five years to develop a comprehensive new tool – so don’t throw out your old DOTs just yet!
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