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ODEP News Release: [06/21/2005]
Contact Name: Peggy Abrahamson or Camille Anderson
Phone Number: (202) 693-4679 or x7909
Release Number: 05-1102-NAT
Secretary Chao Announces 2005 National Disability Employment
Awareness Month Theme — "Workers with Disabilities: Ready for
Tomorrow’s
Jobs Today”
WASHINGTON—Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao this week announced
the official theme for October's National Disability Employment Awareness
Month — “Workers with Disabilities: Ready for Tomorrow's Jobs Today.”
“This year's theme emphasizes that people with disabilities are a vital
part of America's workforce—they are important to our country's future
economic success!” said Chao. “The President's New Freedom
Initiative recognizes the tremendous contributions and
potential of persons with disabilities and promotes greater job opportunities
in high growth sectors of the economy, such as healthcare and advanced
manufacturing.”
The theme will be used by the private sector, federal, state and local
governments, and advocacy organizations to plan events and programs that
showcase the abilities and skills of job candidates who have disabilities.
“People with disabilities are and will continue to be an important part
of the nation's labor pool, and this year's theme reflects that fact,” said
Roy Grizzard, assistant secretary of labor for disability employment policy.
The Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) is the nation's first
assistant secretary-level office specifically addressing policies that
impact the employment of people with disabilities. Collaborating with
other Labor Department agencies—the Employment and Training Administration
and the Civil Rights Center—ODEP has developed methods, including a disability
checklist, to make the 3500 One-Stop Career Centers nationwide better
serve people with disabilities.
Public Law 176, enacted by Congress in 1945, designated the first week
in October as “National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week.” President
Harry S. Truman designated the President's Committee on Employment of
People with Disabilities to carry out the law. Congress changed the name
to “National Disability Employment Awareness Month” in 1988. The responsibility
for leading the nationwide recognition was transferred to ODEP in 2001.
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