[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 247 (Tuesday, December 23, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Page 78864]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-30589]


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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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