ODEP News Release: [05/12/2003] Contact Name:
Michael Volpe Phone Number: (202) 693-7880
U.S. Secretary Of Labor Elaine L. Chao Selects
"America Works Best When All Americans Work" As October's National Disability
Employment Awareness Month Theme
WASHINGTON -- Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao has
selected "America Works Best When All Americans Work" as the official
theme for October's National Disability Employment Awareness Month.Secretary of
Labor Elaine L. Chao today urged an international audience of disability
experts to "continue to bring focus and awareness to solutions that insure the
full inclusion of persons with disabilities into the 21st century
workforce."
"The theme, America Works Best When All Americans Work,
emphasizes the Bush Administration's position of economic opportunity through
job creation," said Chao. "It also builds upon the accomplishments of the
President's New Freedom Initiative which has created opportunities for persons
with disabilities to be fully integrated into the 21st Century workforce."
Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) Assistant Secretary
Roy Grizzard said, "The selection of the theme will especially help the private
sector, federal, state and local governments, and advocacy organizations plan
events and programs that showcase the abilities and skills of job seekers and
working Americans who have disabilities."
ODEP is the nation's first Assistant Secretary-led office that
specifically addresses policies that impact upon 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.
Background: 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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