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OPA News Release: [10/19/2005]
Contact Name: Peggy
Abrahamson
Phone Number: 202-693-7909 or 693-4676
Release Number:
05-2006-NAT
Labor Department's Head of Disability Employment Policy
Kicks Off Mentoring Day 2005
Nearly 200 Students, Grads with Disabilities Shadow
Labor Professionals
WASHINGTON-U.S. Assistant Secretary of Labor for Disability
Employment Policy W. Roy Grizzard officially kicked off the 7th annual
Disability Mentoring Day with opening remarks for about 400 participating
mentors, students and recent graduates. Disability Mentoring Day is an
opportunity for young people with disabilities to gain firsthand exposure to
the many career options available to them.
"Today at government agencies, companies and other workplaces
nationwide, thousands of students and recent graduates with disabilities are
exploring exciting career options with professionals in the 'real world.'" said
Grizzard, who heads the Labor Department's Office of Disability Employment
Policy (ODEP). "We hope this opportunity helps them in making decisions about
their careers and futures."
Disability Mentoring Day is held on the third Wednesday of October
during National Disability Employment Awareness Month. U.S. Secretary of Labor
Elaine L. Chao selected "Workers with Disabilities: Ready for Tomorrow's
Jobs Today!" as the official theme for this year's month-long celebration.
Disability Mentoring Day supports the President's New Freedom
Initiative by increasing opportunities for Americans with disabilities
to integrate into the workforce.
This year's ceremony, which was held in the department's Great Hall,
featured remarks from Grizzard; Olegario "Ollie" D. Cantos VII, Esq., special
assistant to the Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights at the U.S.
Department of Justice; and Paul Conway, chief of staff to U.S. Secretary of
Labor Elaine L. Chao. This year's Disability Mentoring Day is being held in
partnership with the American Association of People with Disabilities and the
Society for Human Resource Management.
ODEP is the nation's first assistant secretary-led office that
specifically addresses policies that impact the employment of people with
disabilities. It acts as a catalyst to stimulate new ideas about employment
through research and development, policy analysis, grant awards, technical
assistance and the promotion of effective business practices.
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