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(USGovernment-News.Com, October 24, 2013 ) Dothan, AL -- National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) raises awareness about disability employment issues and celebrates the contributions that have been made by Americans with disabilities. This designation was made by Congress in 1988 but dates back to 1945 when the first week in October was declared “National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week.” NDEAM is led by the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy. The theme this year is "Because We Are EQUAL to the Task."
During her announcement of this year’s theme, Kathy Martinez, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Disability Employment Policy said, "When I was growing up, many people doubted what I could do just because I was blind. But because I had people in my life who instilled in me an expectation of work and showed me opportunities to be successful, I completed college and became known for what I can do.”
Support for people with disabilities can be shown, first, by hiring people with disabilities. There are potentially thousands of people with disabilities whose knowledge and skills are not being used due to employers who are unwilling to make workplace modifications or exceptions to allow for disabilities. Making these changes would make the pool of applicants much broader and allow people who want a job to have one.
Secondly, people can mentor others, especially youth with disabilities to help them to prepare for a career. Young people with disabilities are often the subject of bullying and harassment. The education process for a person with a disability may be more difficult, however, a little encouragement can go a very long way!
Over the course of this month, as the nation recognizes National Disability Employment Awareness Month, business owners, managers and human resource personnel should seriously consider what they can do help employ people with disabilities.
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