Another National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) has come and gone in the U.S. I hope that many of you were able to use this month for special events and initiatives that will enhance employment opportunities for folks in your local communities.

For many organizations, NDEAM has become a great time to recognize exemplary practices in the realm of disability and employment. In this issue, we are reporting on awardees recognized by the US Business Leadership Network and the US Department of Labor. As appropriate, please share these with your colleagues. Learning from each other and replicating best practices is an important way for us to make headway in our quest to improve the workforce participation rate of people with disabilities.

While many “awards” events make me squirm and wince, I do believe that, executed properly, there is real value in recognizing the work of individuals and organizations that stand out from the crowd in taking actions that enhance the workforce participation of folks with disabilities – actions that make them true allies in the quest for a more equitable society.

In my home town up in Canada this past month, an award was given to a small business who had hired a 30-year-old woman with an intellectual disability to do filing and office work for one-and-a-half days a week. The company’s representative said she was honored but a little embarrassed to receive the recognition.  “It’s ironic to be given an award for treating somebody the way they should be treated. If this is what’s being upheld, (society) has a lot of work to do,” she said.

I took the occasion to send her the following email:

You don’t know me. A friend just sent me the article below and I was struck by the comments you made upon receiving your award. From my perspective, in a way you are correct in a way you or not. In that context, I’m inviting you to read an article that I wrote – Uncommon Actions and Rare Opportunities. You are right. Society “has a lot of work to do.” In the meantime, “Bravo” for being out of sync with it!

Whether it be through award ceremonies or not, may we all generously recognize and encourage one another for the important work that we do…
 

RESEARCH: Free Online Webinar - 2007 Disability Status

This free webinar will explore recently released 2007 American Community Survey data related to disability and employment, education, poverty, household income and labor earnings. Cornell University's Employment and Disability Institute (EDI) will host the webinar on November 12, 2008 from 12:00 Noon -1:00 PM EST.

As an example of findings from the data, Cornell Research found that in 2007, 36.9 percent of working-age (21-64) people with disabilities were employed, compared with the 79.7 percent of people without disabilities. Moreover, researchers found that 24.7 percent of working-age Americans with disabilities lived in poverty, compared to 9.0 percent of those without disabilities.

GettingHired.com is an interesting new job/career site focused on people with disabilities "Where people with disabilities gather, network, and find success in the workplace with enlightened employers." The site includes resume-posting for job seekers and job-posting for employers.

  See: http://www.gettinghired.com/

Temporary employment agencies are a great way for job seekers to get their foot in the doors of a company, prove themselves, and be converted to regular employees. While mainstream temporary staffing companies are willingly inclusive of job seekers with employment barriers, many others are not. A number of organizations that provide employment services to folks with employment barriers, including disabilities, have developed their own staffing agencies. The Alternative Staffing Alliance offers support and networking for such programs.

  See: http://www.altstaffing.org/

ONLINE VIDEO: Richard Pimentel - Commencement Address at Portland State University

Last June Richard Pimentel, well-known trainer and speaker on issues of disability and employment, was awarded an honorary Doctorate by Portland State University. On that occasion, Richard was also invited to deliver the Commencement address. Those of you who familiar with Richard will definitely enjoy watching it. Those of you who aren't will likely find it worth viewing. (An associate of ours who makes a habit of viewing commencement speeches delivered by famous writers, politicians and other celebrities rates it among the best he has ever encountered.)

  See "PSU Graduation Keynote: http://www.miltwright.com/_richard_pimentel/index.htm

On October 14, 2008, the US Business Leadership Network (USBLN®) announced the winners of its 2008 Exceptional Leadership Awards.

PARTNER OF THE YEAR: The Oregon Business Leadership Network nominated Incight for the Partner of the Year award. Since 2006, Incight partnered with the OBLN to jointly develop our Internship and Summer Hire Center. Together they collaborated with other partners to link Oregon business with the emerging talents with students with disabilities.

  Visit Incight's Website: http://incight.org

  Visit Travelers' Diversity Site: http://www.travelers.com/corporate-info/careers/diversity.aspxx   

Over 30 years ago, Dr. Marc Gold began a revolution in our understanding of the abilities of people with developmental disabilities. With his "Try Another Way" approach, he demonstrated that the skills of people with severe developmental disabilities were possibly limited more by our (in)ability to effectively teach/train them as they were by their inherent abilities. The Minnesota Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities has made Dr. Gold’s historic videos available online.

  See: http://www.mncdd.org/extra/marc-gold1.html

Award recipients are recognized for their qualities to inspire and enhance the ability of Americans with disabilities to enter and participate fully in the 21st century workforce.

Jim Abbott, San Diego, California for "Pitching a Message of Inspiration and Experience." Jim Abbott is a former major league baseball (MLB) pitcher who played for the California Angels, Chicago White Sox, Milwaukee Brewers and New York Yankees. But he is particularly remembered for excelling at the game despite being born with only one hand. Today he is using his experience on the field to help increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities in all fields.

Steven A. Burd, Pleasanton, California for "Giving Back to the Community." Steven Burd is Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Safeway Inc., one of North America's largest food and drug retailers. Under his leadership, the company is committed to creating an inclusive workplace and currently employs nearly 10,000 people with disabilities.

  See full details at: http://www.dol.gov/odep/newfreedom/spiritaward.htm