[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 137 (Thursday, October 17, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1929]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     RECOGNITION OF NATIONAL DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DANNY K. DAVIS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 16, 2002

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, each October we observe National 
Disability Employment Awareness Month, and I rise to ask that all 
Americans consider what they can do to reduce the unacceptably high 
level of unemployment that exists among people with disabilities. No 
other minority group in this nation faces the level of joblessness 
experienced by such individuals.
  Much of the problem is based on outdated myths and stereotypes, and 
each of us must consider what he or she can do to learn more about 
people with disabilities and how we can more fully integrate such 
individuals into the American work force.
  As part of this year's observance of National Disability Employment 
Awareness Month, October 16th has been designated as National 
Disability Mentoring Day. This day is being coordinated by the American 
Association of People with Disabilities with the support of the U.S. 
Department of Labor and several corporate sponsors throughout the 
country. It is designed to bring students and job seekers with 
disabilities into the workplace where they can learn firsthand about 
employment opportunities, This is an activity that should be ongoing 
throughout the year, and I urge my colleagues, all employers and 
employees who wish to volunteer as mentors to learn more about this 
initiative by contacting the American Association of People with 
Disabilities at 800-840-8844, or view the National Disability Mentoring 
Day link on its web site at www.aapd-dc.org.
 As we observe National Disability Employment Awareness month, I also 
want to recognize three initiatives in my district that are making 
unique contributions to both local and national efforts promoting 
greater independence and economic opportunity for people with 
disabilities. As the sponsor of H.R. 3612, the Medicaid Community-Based 
Attendant Services and Supports Act, a bill that will enable people 
with disabilities to participate more fully in the workplace and 
community life by eliminating the institutional bias in our long term 
care system, I have learned much and benefited greatly from the support 
of Chicago ADAPT and its national affiliate, Americans Disabled for 
Attendant Programs Today. Their efforts to reform our long term support 
system and change our concept of disability from one of tragedy and 
dependence to one that recognizes disability as a natural part of the 
continuum of a life that can be fully enjoyed, is deeply appreciated.
  I also wish to acknowledge the Access Center for Independent Living 
in Chicago. The Access Center, along with the National Council on 
Independent Living is also leading the way in the effort to break down 
the barriers people with disabilities face in obtaining equal access to 
housing, transportation and employment opportunities. The CEO of the 
Access Living Center, Marca Bristow, was appointed by President Clinton 
to serve as Chairwoman of the National Council on Disability, and her 
term has just expired. Her leadership in Chicago and on the National 
Council is deeply appreciated. The residents of Illinois and our entire 
nation owe much to this outstanding leader.
  Another initiative I wish to mention is one that focuses solely on 
creating employment opportunities for people with severe disabilities. 
There are several nonprofit organizations in the Chicago area that 
participate in the Javits-Wagner-O'Day Program, a federal procurement 
initiative that uses the purchasing power of the Government to generate 
employment opportunities for people who are blind or have other severe 
disabilities. These organizations include the Ada McKinley Community 
Services Center, the Chicago Lighthouse for the Blind, the Lester and 
Rosalie Anixter Center, the Jewish Vocational Services and Employment 
Center, the Chicago Association for Retarded Citizens and the Community 
Counseling Centers of Chicago.
  These organizations, along with over 600 other community nonprofits 
across the nation work with National Industries for the Blind and NISH, 
a national nonprofit serving people with a range of severe 
disabilities. These groups train and employ over 37,000 people with 
disabilities to furnish office supplies, mail room and janitorial 
services, grounds maintenance, switchboard operations and a host of 
other administrative support services to both military and civilian 
agencies. By simply purchasing office supplies and support services 
from nonprofits such as these, federal workers can help reduce the high 
level of unemployment among people with disabilities and push the doors 
of opportunity open a little wider. More information about the Javits-
Wagner-O'Day Program can be found at www.jwod.gov.
 Whether a child is born with a disability, an adult has a traumatic 
injury or a person becomes disabled through the aging process, the need 
to participate actively in community life and earn your own way in the 
world is universal. I urge all Americans to consult the National 
Disability Employment Awareness Month resources I have mentioned and to 
determine how you can contribute to lowering the unemployment rate 
among people with disabilities throughout the year.

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