[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Page 12250]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO BAYAUD INDUSTRIES

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DIANA DeGETTE

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 21, 2006

  Ms. DeGETTE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the outstanding 
work being done by Bayaud Industries, a non-profit organization 
dedicated to creating employment and training services to individuals 
with mental, emotional, physical, and economic disabilities and 
challenges in the City of Denver and throughout Colorado. Celebrating 
its 37th anniversary this year, Bayaud has been able to help over 5,000 
individuals find jobs and currently serves over 300 each year.
  Bayaud uses an integrated approach to help those who have had minimal 
success in the mainstream work environment mostly because of the stigma 
associated with disability and mental illness. This approach includes a 
comprehensive vocational evaluation to assess skills and capabilities, 
work adjustment and personal adjustment training, and general office 
skills training. Bayaud also provides job placement services for its 
clients, and even works with the City of Denver to help move people 
from welfare to work.
  Helping those who are disabled to find and keep work is good for both 
individuals and our economy. Employment gives people a sense of 
accomplishment and the satisfaction that they are contributing to their 
community. Sadly, according to the National Mental Health Association, 
``the unemployment rate in the United States for individuals with 
disabilities is approximately 75 percent; the unemployment rate for 
individuals with psychiatric disabilities is even higher at 80 
percent.'' With training and assistance from organizations like Bayaud, 
people with disabilities are able to hold a job and contribute to the 
economy of our country.
  Mr. Speaker, Bayaud Industries should be considered a model for how 
we help all our citizens become productive. Bayaud is ensuring that the 
disabled of my community are able to play a vital role. I commend the 
important work this organization is doing and I know that both those in 
the disabilities and business communities have benefited greatly from 
the good work it has done for over the past 37 years.

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