Labor & Industry Commemorates Pennsylvania and National Disability Employment Awareness Month with Statewide Events on Careers, Jobs and Training

HARRISBURG, Pa., Oct. 21, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In commemoration of Pennsylvania's Disability Employment Awareness Month, the Department of Labor & Industry's Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) is participating in a series of events during October focused on helping Pennsylvanians with disabilities find gainful employment.

"This month of recognition highlights the benefits of hiring people with disabilities for employers who may not have considered this valuable resource of employees," Labor & Industry Secretary Julia Hearthway said. "It also lets people know how OVR is helping people with disabilities gain entry to the workforce and emphasizes the no cost resources it has available to businesses who want to meet their workforce needs by hiring Pennsylvanians with disabilities."

Governor Tom Corbett proclaimed October as Disability Employment Awareness Month in Pennsylvania to increase awareness among employers of the skills, abilities and dedication of Pennsylvanians with disabilities, including disabled veterans. All Pennsylvanians should have the opportunity to live and work with dignity, freedom and economic self-sufficiency. The governor's proclamation is in conjunction with the national observance.  

Events include the following activities, jobs fairs and expos:

• PA Disability Employment and Empowerment Summit (PADES), Wednesday, Oct. 23, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Thursday, Oct. 24, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Friday, Oct. 25, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Radisson Hotel Harrisburg, Camp Hill.
  
  PADES aims to bring together employers, government agencies, service providers and people with disabilities to discuss opportunities and advancements in the field of disability employment. During the course of the summit, OVR will present multiple workshops geared toward individuals with disabilities as well as businesses interested in learning more about the value people with disabilities add to a workforce. Visit www.padesummit.org for more information.
• Norristown OVR Employer Symposium, Horsham Township Municipal Building, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 9 a.m. to noon; call 484-250-4340 for more information.
• Philadelphia OVR Disability Mentoring Day with KPMG, Philadelphia KPMG offices, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.; call 215-560-1936 for more information.
• York OVR District Office Job Fair, York HACC Campus, Friday, Oct. 25, 9 a.m. to noon; call 717-771-4407 for more information.
• Pittsburgh OVR Awards Breakfast, Pittsburgh Rivers Casino, Monday, Oct. 28, 8:30 a.m. to noon; call 412-392-5980 for more information.

PROCLAMATION

Pennsylvania Disability Employment Awareness Month October 2013

WHEREAS, All Pennsylvanians should have the opportunity to live and work with dignity, freedom and economic self-sufficiency; and

WHEREAS, the vast majority of individuals with disabilities want to and can be employed in competitive, integrated employment; and

WHEREAS, in August of 2013 the national unemployment rate for people with disabilities was 14.1 percent, compared to 7.1 percent for people without disabilities; and

WHEREAS, growing jobs in Pennsylvania for all Pennsylvanians is a top priority of this administration; and

WHEREAS, we recognize the skills, abilities and dedication of Pennsylvanians with disabilities, including Pennsylvania's disabled Veterans; and

WHEREAS, Pennsylvania continues to promote awareness about disability employment through its annual "Pennsylvania Disability Employment and Empowerment Summit (PADES)" that provides disabled residents with information about programs and services that will suit their needs and enhance their quality of life; and

WHEREAS, the United States Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy recognizes October 2013 as National Disability Employment Awareness Month with a theme of "Because We Are EQUAL to the Task."

THEREFORE, I, Tom Corbett, Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, recognize October 2013 as PENNSYLVANIA DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS MONTH in Pennsylvania. I encourage all citizens to observe this month with appropriate programs and activities.

GIVEN under my hand and the Seal of the Governor, at the City of Harrisburg, on this twenty-third day of September in the year of our Lord two thousand and thirteen, and of the Commonwealth the two hundred and thirty-eighth.

Tom Corbett

Media contact: Sara Goulet, 717-787-7530

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry