Occupational Information Development Advisory Panel Established

The Office of Program Development and Research (OPDR) is in the final stages of assembling 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 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.

The OIDAP will hold its inaugural meeting February 23-25, 2009. The panel is comprised of 11 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. Prospective panel members were contacted and have accepted their posts.

For general and meeting information, please visit the Panel’s website at www.ssa.gov/oidap.

Any questions may be directed to: rsi5@srt.com