[Durham INC] Durham Recognizes National Disability Employment Awareness Month

Wed Sep 25 09:01:46 EDT 2013

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CITY OF DURHAM
Office of Public Affairs
101 City Hall Plaza
Durham, NC 27701

News Release

News Media Contact:
Amy Blalock
Sr. Public Affairs Specialist
(919) 560-4123 x 11253
(919) 475-7735 (cell)
Amy.Blalock at DurhamNC.gov<mailto:Amy.Blalock at DurhamNC.gov>
http://Facebook.com/CityofDurhamNC
http://Twitter.com/CityofDurhamNC

For Immediate Release: September 25, 2013

Durham Recognizes National Disability Employment Awareness Month
Employer Nominations Sought for Annual Celebration; Youth Poster Competition Set

DURHAM, N.C. - In October, the City of Durham will recognize National Disability Employment Awareness Month in a variety of ways and residents, employers, and youth are invited to participate.

According to Marge Walters-Clemmons, chair of the Mayor's Committee for Persons With Disabilities, the different events and activities planned are an opportunity to further educate about disability employment issues and celebrate the many and varied contributions of Durham's workers with disabilities. "Throughout the month, we will be engaging in a variety of activities to educate residents and employers on disability employment issues and the role they play in fostering a disability-friendly work culture," Walters-Clemmons said. "From hosting our annual celebration, to sponsoring a poster competition, to partnering with the Durham Workforce Development Board, we are excited about the opportunity to demonstrate that people with disabilities are important contributors to our community's workforce."

The Committee is hosting its annual celebration of National Disability Employment Awareness Month on Thursday, October 24, 2013, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 101 City Hall Plaza. Dr. Rickey Scott, award-winning speaker, educator and lecturer, will be the guest speaker at this celebration and employers who have demonstrated an ongoing willingness to hire persons with disabilities will be honored. A reception will then follow the recognition program. Residents are encouraged to submit a nomination for an employer they feel should be acknowledged at this occasion. The paragraph should be submitted by email to mayorcomm.pwd at durhamnc.gov<mailto:mayorcomm.pwd at durhamnc.gov> by October 11.

The Committee is also sponsoring a poster competition for youth ages 5-21. Poster creations should celebrate the national theme, "Because We Are EQUAL to the Task." This year's theme echoes the message of the national Office of Disability Employment Policy's ongoing Campaign for Disability Employment. It promotes ideas about what youth with disabilities can do when they receive encouragement for their employment dreams. Each poster should inspire people of all ages - especially employers - to understand that people with disabilities have the capabilities to be successful in the workplace. A first place prize of $100 and a second place prize of $50 will be awarded in five different age groups. Winners will be recognized at the annual celebration on October 24. To view the complete competition rules, including where and when posters should be submitted, visit http://durhamnc.gov/ich/mayor/Pages/Disability.aspx.

In addition to these activities, the Durham Workforce Development Board (DWDB) and the City's Office of Economic and Workforce Development are also planning a variety of activities throughout the month to help educate City staff and residents on disability employment issues as well as the roles they can play in fostering a disability-friendly work culture. "We are proud to be a part of this year's National Disability Employment Awareness Month," said Steven Williams, chair of the DWDB. "We want to help spread the important message that a strong workforce is one that is inclusive of the skills and talents of all individuals, including those with disabilities."

DWDB members represent the private business sector in Durham (such as SunTrust Bank, Capitol Broadcasting Company, SENSUS, and Measurement, Inc.); community-based organizations (such as Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People and Durham's Partnership for Children); and Duke University; Durham Technical Community College; North Carolina Central University; and Durham Public Schools. The DWDB is publically-appointed and represents business, education, and government entities of all sizes.

For information about the annual celebration or poster contest, contact Jennie Lunsford, staff liaison to the Committee, at (919) 560-4180, ext. 17242 or by email to Jennie.Lunsford at DurhamNC.gov<mailto:Jennie.Lunsford at DurhamNC.gov>.

For more information about the planned activities by the Durham Workforce Development Board and the City's Office of Economic and Workforce Development, contact Esther Coleman, senior employment program coordinator, at (919) 560-4965, ext. 15209 or by email to Esther.Coleman at DurhamNC.gov<mailto:Esther.Coleman at DurhamNC.gov>.

For more information about National Disability Employment Awareness Month, visit http://www.dol.gov/odep/topics/ndeam.

About the Mayor's Committee for Persons with Disabilities
The Mayor's Committee for Persons with Disabilities serves as an educational and advocacy group for individuals with disabilities. A major goal of the committee is to promote public awareness and sensitivity. Other objectives include establishing a collaborative effort to break down existing barriers surrounding persons with disabilities. The committee is dedicated to corresponding with the mayor and other community leaders on any needs or issues that relate to persons with disabilities in the areas of housing, education, recreation, transportation, and employment. For more information, visit http://durhamnc.gov/ich/mayor/Pages/Disability.aspx.

About the Durham Workforce Development Board
The Durham Workforce Development Board was established by the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 and is a consortium agreement between the City and County of Durham. The purpose of the board is to facilitate, plan and coordinate workforce development resources to maximize the efforts of government, business, and education. Through collaborative partnerships, the board is the local policy organization responsible for the planning, oversight and coordination of workforce development initiatives that help support economic development in Durham and the region. It provides leadership to the local workforce system by promoting a responsive workforce development system, providing guidance and exercising independent oversight regarding activities under the Workforce Investment Act and programs within the Durham JobLink Career Center system. For more information, visit http://durhamnc.gov/ich/cb/oewd/Pages/Durham_Workforce_Development_Board.aspx.

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