Sheldon, Iowa — Village Northwest Unlimited officials say they are participating in National Disability Employment Awareness Month, an annual awareness campaign that takes place each October.
The US Department of Labor says that the purpose of National Disability Employment Awareness Month is to educate people and businesses about disability employment issues and celebrate the many and varied contributions of America’s workers with disabilities. This year’s theme is “Increasing Access and Opportunity.” It is the 75th observance of the month this year.
Village Northwest Unlimited’s CEO, Barry Whitsell tells us why employing the disabled is important.
(as said:) “A person’s employment… their job is often tied to their identity and their purpose and value and so for the people that we serve here at Village Northwest Unlimited, the National Disability Employment Awareness Month of October here is an important month to just raise awareness out in the communities that we serve that you know people with disabilities are valuable employees and can be valuable employees and especially when you consider the low unemployment rate here in northwest Iowa. People with disabilities can be a factor in helping fill the needs that employers have.”
He tells us some important facts to keep in mind.
(as said:) “People with disabilities have skill sets just like anyone else and that they can contribute to a business.”
Employers and employees in all industries can learn more about how to participate in National Disability Employment Awareness Month and ways they can promote its messages — during October and throughout the year — by visiting www.dol.gov/ndeam.
