Disability Inclusion, The New Green?

By Judy Owen, Contributor - Forbes

October is National Disability Employment Awareness month, so all month I will try to bring some special postings about what is going on in the world of disability employment. I’m excited to kick off the month with a Q and A post with my good friend, J.R. Harding. My boss, Jim introduced me to J.R. a few years ago and we hit it off and have looked for ways to collaborate ever since. J.R.’s story is one of strength, determination and perseverance.

You see, J.R. was a star scholar and football player in high school. He had aspirations of playing football at an NCAA power house school. That is, until one altercation with a fellow team mate left him a quadriplegic. Despite the injuries he managed to graduate high school with his class. He has since gone on to complete his Educational Doctorate. He has served on state and national advisory committees pertaining to disabilities, mostly focused on employment and transportation. He can also now add published author to his long list of accomplishments as he wrote an autobiographical book which was released last year, called “Now What?” It’s an inspirational story that I must recommend you read.

Read more HERE.

Presidential Proclamation -- National Disability Employment Awareness Month, 2012

In the 22 years since the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act, we have made significant progress in giving all Americans the freedom to make of our lives what we will. Yet, in times of prosperity as well as challenge, people with disabilities have had fewer opportunities in our workplaces than those without. As we work to revitalize our economy, it is essential that each of us can bring our talents, expertise, and passion to bear in the marketplace. But a stronger economy is not enough; we must ensure not only full participation, but also full opportunity. During National Disability Employment Awareness Month, we recognize the indispensable contributions people with disabilities make in our economy and recommit to building a country where each of us can realize the full extent of our dreams.

Because America's workforce should reflect the diversity of its people -- including people with disabilities -- my Administration remains committed to helping our businesses, schools, and communities support our entire workforce. To meet this challenge, the Federal Government must be a model employer. That is why I was proud to sign an Executive Order in 2010 that called on Federal agencies to increase recruitment, hiring, and retention of people with disabilities. In 2012, the Office of Personnel Management reported on our progress, revealing that we are moving toward meeting our goal of hiring an additional 100,000 people with disabilities into the Federal workforce over 5 years. Today, more people with disabilities work for the Federal Government than at any time in the past 20 years, and we are striving to make it easier to get and keep those jobs by improving compliance with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act.

Read more of the Presidential Proclamation HERE.

Presidential Proclamation--National Disability Employment Awareness Month

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release October 03, 2011
Presidential Proclamation--National Disability Employment Awareness Month
NATIONAL DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS MONTH, 2011

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

Utilizing the talents of all Americans is essential for our Nation to out-innovate, out-educate, and out-build the rest of the world. During National Disability Employment Awareness Month, we recognize the skills that people with disabilities bring to our workforce, and we rededicate ourselves to improving employment opportunities in both the public and private sectors for those living with disabilities.

Read more HERE.