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Celebrate the talents of employees with disabilities during National Disability Employment Awareness Month
Professional, Superb Performance, Positive Attitude, Efficient -
These are words used to describe stellar employees. They were also
in a commendation presented to Kenny R., an employee with
disabilities from The Arc of the Virginia Peninsula who works at
the NOSTRA Lens Lab at Naval Weapons Station Yorktown. Kenny has
been honored for his "consistent, superb performance of duties and
demonstrated personal excellence" by the military and is respected
by his coworkers for his work ethic.
Across the country, Kenny and other employees with disabilities
are transforming workplaces. The Arc of the Virginia Peninsula is a
proud service provider that helps 620 people with disabilities from
throughout Hampton Roads and the Middle Peninsula and Northern Neck
succeed in long-term employment. These employees earn more than
$4.6 million in wages each year at jobs with regional employers, on
federal installations, and on-site at The Arc's facilities in
Hampton and Gloucester.
The Arc's business partners say their employees with disabilities
model the behavior they want in their workforce - they arrive
early, eager to work and complete their jobs with smiles on their
faces. They also help increase morale at businesses; it has been
shown that employees with disabilities increase overall attendance
and productivity at job sites.
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM),
a national initiative that raises awareness about disability
employment issues and celebrates the many contributions of
America's workers with disabilities. NDEAM's roots go back to 1945,
when Congress enacted a law declaring the first week in October
each year "National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week." The
celebration was increased to a month and the name was modified in
subsequent years to reflect changes to our workforce and
acknowledge the contributions of individuals with all types of
disabilities.
The theme of this year's NDEAM is "A Strong Workforce is an
Inclusive Workforce: What Can YOU Do?" We challenge you to look for
ways employees with disabilities can become members of your team.
Other ways you can celebrate this month include:
- Contact The Arc for a tour. We are eager to introduce others to our organization and highlight our business partnerships.
- Recycle your old electronic equipment with The Arc! People with disabilities, many of whom are high school students, disassemble electronic equipment brought to The Arc by businesses and individuals.
- Spread the word about how employees with disabilities help businesses thrive.
70% of people with disabilities nationally are unemployed. This
sad statistic highlights the importance of giving people with
disabilities the opportunity to become part of the workforce.
People with disabilities are only limited by our lack of
imagination as to what they can do.
Employees like Kenny make our workplaces and communities stronger.
Please join us this month to celebrate the many contributions of
employees with disabilities and recognize the dedicated employers
and business partners who help thousands of people with
disabilities experience the pride and independence that comes from
earning their own wages.
Sarah Bowman is the Director of Marketing for The Arc of the
Virginia Peninsula, a nonprofit that serves more than 1,100
individuals with developmental disabilities annually in employment,
day support, early childhood, and community living programs. The
Arc serves the entire Hampton Roads region, as well as the Middle
Peninsula and Northern Neck.
Sarah graduated from Christopher Newport University with a
degree in English. She is the former Manager of Marketing and
Public Affairs for Newport News/ Williamsburg International Airport
and also previously worked as the Public Information Officer at
VDOT's Traffic Operations Center.
Sarah is a Past President of the Kiwanis Club of Mercury 64
and the Treasurer of the Public Relations Society of America's
Hampton Roads Chapter.