Vocational Rehabilitation is Celebrating 4 milestones in 2020 – 30 years of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), 75 years of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), 100 years of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (DVRS), and 1 year anniversary of becoming an Employment First State.
The U.S. Department of Labor today announced that “Increasing Access and Opportunity” is the 2020 theme for October’s annual observance of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM).
The ADA is landmark civil rights legislation that works to increase access and opportunity for people with disabilities across society, including in the workplace.
Each October, NDEAM celebrates America’s workers with disabilities and reminds employers of the importance of inclusive hiring practices. In 1945, Congress declared the first week of October “National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week.” In 1962, the word “physically” was dropped to include individuals with all types of disabilities. Congress expanded the week to a month in 1988and changed the commemoration to National Disability Employment Awareness Month.
“People with disabilities are experienced problem solvers with a proven ability to adapt,” said Office of Disability Employment Policy Deputy Assistant Secretary, Jennifer Sheehy. “Now more than ever, flexibility is important for both workers and employers. National Disability Employment Awareness Month celebrates the ingenuity people with disabilities bring to America’s workplaces.”
The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (DVRS) is also celebrating 100 years! Our agency helps people with disabilities achieve their goals for employment and independence. Vocational Rehabilitation also assists people with disabilities that affect their ability to prepare for, obtain/maintain, advance, or retain employment. If you have a disability that prevents you from achieving career success or independence in the community of your choice, DVRS can connect you to services and resources to help you meet your goals.100 years later and many lives have been changed by our program’s services and we are very proud to celebrate this milestone!
We are also excited to be celebrating the first anniversary of North Carolina becoming an Employment First state. This is a movement of individuals across the country who are focused on providing meaningful employment, fair wages, and career advancement for people with disabilities. Employment First spreads the message that individuals with disabilities are people first and just like everyone else, want to work in meaningful jobs, live independently, and contribute to society. We are helping build a diverse state workforce that represents the people we serve.
The Goldsboro VR office welcomes the opportunity to assist through a variety of services for individuals with a disability. The address is 902 Corporate Dr. and the phone number is 919.778.3795. For more information about Vocational Rehabilitation services, the website is https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/dvrs
Thank you to each business and organization for your partnership that has resulted in successful employment, career and professional development for consumers!
If you are an employer or organization and you would like to learn more about Vocational Rehabilitation, please contact the Business Relations Representative at the above contact information.
