Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities Recognizes National Disability Employment Awareness Month
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Hillary Hibben, Media Relations Director
Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities
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Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities Recognizes National Disability Employment Awareness Month
October 1, 2018 (Atlanta, GA) – The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) is proud to recognize October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), an annual awareness campaign that takes place each October. The purpose of National Disability Employment Awareness Month is to educate about disability employment issues and celebrate the many and varied contributions of America's workers with disabilities. This year's theme is "America’s Workforce: Empowering All"
Georgia became an Employment First state in May 2018, which ensures every individual of working age has an opportunity to seek employment and promotes employment as the first and preferred option offered to people with disabilities receiving government funded services.
“GCDD is proud to honor NDEAM this year and continue our work to lower the unemployment rate for people with disabilities across Georgia,” said Eric Jacobson, GCDD’s executive director. “People with disabilities make significant contributions to their communities and add their talents to Georgia’s already diverse workforce.”
To bring more attention to the benefits of hiring people with disabilities, GCDD launched Take Your Legislator to Work Day (TYLTWD), a month-long event that coincides with NDEAM. The goal of TYLTWD is to show the numerous benefits to employers, employees and communities alike of hiring people with disabilities while forming lasting relationships with elected officials.
TYLTWD is currently in its third year, and deadline to register is on October 5, 2018.
"Americans of all abilities must have access to good, safe jobs," said U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta, in a press release from ODEP. "Smart employers know that including different perspectives in problem-solving situations leads to better solutions. Hiring employees with diverse abilities strengthens their business, increases competition and drives innovation."
The history of NDEAM traces back to 1945, when Congress enacted a law declaring the first week in October each year "National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week." In 1962, the word "physically" was removed to acknowledge the employment needs and contributions of individuals with all types of disabilities. In 1988, Congress expanded the week to a month and changed the name to National Disability Employment Awareness Month.
About the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities: The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) is the State’s leader in advancing public policy on behalf of persons with developmental disabilities. Its mission is to bring about social and policy changes that promote opportunities for persons with developmental disabilities and their families to live, work, play and worship in Georgia communities. For more information, visit www.gcdd.org
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