Diverse News 2007®

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month

    WASHINGTON, Sept. 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Throughout October,
which is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, the U.S.
Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) will
profile on its Web site individuals who have personally benefited from
agency-sponsored programs aimed at eliminating the chronic underemployment
of people with disabilities, as well as employers and organizations that
have successfully implemented strategies to hire, support, empower and
otherwise value employees with disabilities.
    This year's National Disability Employment Awareness Month theme is
"Workers with Disabilities: Talent for a Winning Team." The special Web
feature -- to be posted at http://www.dol.gov/odep -- is intended to dispel
misconceptions about workers with disabilities by showcasing real faces and
success stories. Each installment will include the story and photograph of
a person whose life has been changed, or an employer or organization that
has influenced positive change. The entire montage will include people and
efforts from across the nation.
    "Behind the banner of this awareness month are real people with talent,
and others looking for talented employees, who are making a difference in
their workplaces year-round," said Karen M. Czarnecki, acting assistant
secretary of labor for disability employment policy. "Our hope is that
additional employers, job seekers and service organizations that view these
few examples will be inspired to replicate best practices in their
communities."

    News media are encouraged to use the profiles as a springboard to
develop their own coverage about disability employment-related issues. The
roots of National Disability Employment Awareness Month go back decades,
along with the nationwide crisis of underemployment facing Americans with
disabilities. In 1945, Congress enacted a law declaring the first week in
October as "National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week." In 1964, the
word "physically" was omitted to acknowledge the employment needs and
contributions of people with all types of disabilities. In 1988, Congress
expanded the week to a month and adopted the current name.
    ODEP is leading a 21st century federal response to the historic
underemployment of people with disabilities. In collaboration with other
government agencies, public and private employers, and additional
stakeholders, ODEP facilitates the development and implementation of
innovative policies and practices necessary to achieve a fully inclusive
workplace. ODEP's work primarily falls into three categories: employers and
the workplace; workforce systems; and employment-related supports, which
include education and training, health care, reliable transportation,
affordable housing and assistive technology.
    U.S. Department of Labor releases are accessible on the Internet at
http://www.dol.gov. The information in this news release will be made
available in alternate format (large print, Braille, audio tape or disc)
from the COAST office upon request. Please specify which news release when
placing your request at (202) 693-7828 or TTY (202) 693-7755. The Labor
Department is committed to providing America's employers and employees with
easy access to understandable information on how to comply with its laws
and regulations. For more information, please visit
http://www.dol.gov/compliance.

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