Press Release: March 2007
Disability is “Good for Business”
SEATTLE – ACCESS 2007 the nation’s premiere conference and job fair for individuals with disabilities is being held on Wednesday, March 7th at the Seattle Center. The event is hosted by Northwest businesses and community partners, including REI, Safeco, Safeway, Starbucks, the Aven Foundation, the DSHS – Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, DO-IT at the University of Washington, and the Washington State Department of Services for the Blind. For more information on the event, log on to: www.accessnw.org.
The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that roughly 54 million or one of five people in the United States has a disabling condition. As the population ages and an increasing number of people survive traumatic injuries and illness, including disabled veterans, this number is projected to increase. Disability is part of the normal human experience and has an impact on families as well as individuals.
Why are these business partners so engaged? This population not only represents an untapped labor pool and source of talent at a time when employment needs are going unmet but a recent study shows that hiring employees with disabilities is good business. Companies who employ people are seen in a positive light by customers and the public in general.
When you walk into a store and realize that one or more of the people working there has a disability, how does that make you feel? Business owners used to think that coming across such an employee would make customers uncomfortable, but a new study finds the opposite is true. In a recent Gallup poll, 92 percent of consumers said they felt more favorable toward companies that hire individuals with disabilities, while 87 percent said they prefer to give their business to companies that do so. "These findings show a shift in public thinking," notes Neil Romano, president and founder of America’s Strength Foundation, a group dedicated to helping people with disabilities find mainstream employment. "The study shows businesses that hire someone with a disability can positively impact the bottom line."
Press Release: March 2007
Businesses Invest in Their Future Workforce
SEATTLE – ACCESS 2007 the nation’s premiere conference and job fair for individuals with disabilities is being held on Wednesday, March 7th at the Seattle Center. The event is hosted by Northwest businesses and community partners, including REI, Safeco, Safeway, Starbucks, the Aven Foundation, the DSHS – Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, DO-IT at the University of Washington, and the Washington State Department of Services for the Blind. For more information on the event, log on to: www.accessnw.org.
The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that roughly 54 million or one of five people in the United States has a disabling condition. One segment of this population that requires a proactive approach is students. Students who are making career decisions are a prime focus for business that recognize that getting and keeping young people interested in their company, is a strategy for building their future workforce. Schools are seeing business reach out to students as early as junior high school with an increased focus on high school students by supporting career days, offering tours, hosting summer camps, offering part time or summer employment and internship opportunities.
ACCESS has and will continue this year to have a group of high school students attending the event. The purpose of this is to help connect young people with potential future employment and to increase their awareness of career possibilities as they prepare to enter the workforce. It also allows business to reach out to this future workforce.
The students will lean about presenting themselves as job seekers and have the opportunity to interact with employers at the job fair. A teacher who brought a group of students to last year’s workshop said, “I asked my class to critique the experience and tell me what they learned. One student said ‘I learned that no matter what your disability is, you can do as well as anybody else.’ When we returned to school, the kids talked about the experience for days. Many collected job applications for the first time and have filled them in. This is a first! Obviously, they feel a new passion for obtaining their goals.”
National
Disability Mentoring Day - October 19th
National Disability Mentoring Day (NDMD) is an event for high school and college
students as well as job seekers. It's a chance to spend time with a working
professional to find out more about their job and their career path. In addition
to providing information, sometimes a Mentor can turn into a valuable resource
when mentees look for internships and jobs!
To find out about DMD events in your area, look up the local coordinator
at http://www.dmd-aapd.org/coordlist/coordlist.php
Many DMD activities happen on October 19th, but some activities are on an ongoing
basis. If you have questions, contact the local coordinator for the Seattle
area - Scott Bellman, 206-685-3648
(voice/TTY).
National Disability Employment
Awareness Month, 2005
A Proclamation by
the President of the United States of America
Across America, individuals with disabilities are making important contributions in the workplace. This month, we celebrate their accomplishments and reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that the opportunities of America are available and accessible to every citizen.
Fifteen years ago, President George H. W. Bush signed into law the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), reducing barriers for millions of Americans with disabilities and providing a mandate for the elimination of discrimination in the workplace and in the community. Since the ADA was enacted, people with disabilities have been able to participate more fully in the workforce, and our Nation has become stronger and more just. Yet more work remains, and we continue our efforts to enable Americans with disabilities to live and work with greater freedom.
In the spirit of the ADA, my Administration's New Freedom Initiative has expanded access to assistive technologies, education, and opportunities for people with disabilities to integrate into the workforce. I signed into law legislation that improves the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act to ensure that our young people with disabilities are prepared for the many opportunities ahead. Through these and other efforts, we are working to ensure that Americans with disabilities can realize the promise of America.
To recognize the contributions of Americans with disabilities and to encourage all citizens to ensure equal opportunity in the workforce, the Congress, by joint resolution approved as amended (36 U.S.C. 121), has designated October of each year as "National Disability Employment Awareness Month."
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim October 2005 as National Disability Employment Awareness Month. I call upon Government officials, labor leaders, employers, and the people of the United States to observe this month with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirtieth day of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand five, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirtieth.
GEORGE W. BUSH