'America's People, America's Talent... America's Strength!' is 2008 National Disability Employment Awareness Month Theme
The Arc of New Jersey joins hundreds of organizations and millions of Americans with disabilities to recognize the month of October as National
Disability Employment Awareness Month. The official 2008 theme for National Disability Employment Awareness Month is "America's People, America's
Talent... America's Strength!" Congress has designated each October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) to increase the
public's awareness of the contributions and skills of American workers with disabilities. Various programs carried out throughout the month also highlight
the specific employment barriers that still need to be addressed and removed.
"We are proud to celebrate the many employment accomplishments of
individuals with developmental disabilities" stated Bruce Bird, President of The Arc of New Jersey. "Every day thousands of New Jersey citizens with developmental disabilities
work in competitive, gainful employment, making them active and contributing members of their communities. This is a success story that needs to be told."
Historically there has been significant underemployment for people with disabilities. Data from the 2006 American Community Survey conducted by the US Census Bureau shows that unemployment
rates for individuals with a "mental disability" between the ages of 16 and 64 is a shocking 71.6%. Unemployment for the same age category of individuals without a "mental disability" is only 27.5%. A
mental disability was defined as a physical, mental, or emotional condition lasting 6 months or more that made it difficult "learning, remembering, or concentrating".
These statistics are abysmal, assert disability rights advocates. "We should not still be seeing such appalling figures" stated Thomas Baffuto, Executive Director of the Arc of New Jersey and founder
of The Arc's award-winning supported employment program, Project HIRE. "Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities – even those with significant disabilities – are capable and
eager to work in competitive jobs. Since 1985 when Project HIRE ignited the supported employment revolution in New Jersey, we have successfully supported thousands of qualified, enthusiastic
employees with disabilities in jobs of all kinds."
This effort to educate the American public about issues related to disability and employment
actually began in 1945, when Congress enacted a law declaring the first week in October each year "National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week." In 1962, the word "physically" was removed to
acknowledge the employment needs and contributions of individuals with all types of disabilities. In 1988, Congress expanded the week to a month and changed the name to "National Disability
Employment Awareness Month."
The Arc of New Jersey is the State's leading advocacy and service organization for children and
adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. It consists of a statewide office in North Brunswick and 20 local county chapters serving all 21 counties with direct supports
and services. The Arc of New Jersey is affiliated with The Arc of the United States with 850 chapters nationwide.
For more information about the employment of people with developmental disabilities, Project HIRE or The Arc of New Jersey, click on the links below.
Project HIRE
US Census Bureau statistics on employment and disability
US Department of Labor, Office of Disability Employment Policy
Work World - information on National Disability Employment Awareness Month
NJ Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services
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