ÿþ<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN"> <HTML LANG="EN"> <HEAD> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="http://www.azcb.org/mystyle.css" /> <TITLE>Arizona Council of the Blind - October 2011 Announcement - 10/15/2011</TITLE> </HEAD> <BODY> <CENTER> <IMG SRC="azcblogo.jpg" ALT="Arizona Council of the blind LOGO. A Yellow Sun behind Green Cactus the letters A Z C B on the sun." HEIGHT="100" WIDTH="100" > </CENTER> <P> <H1>October 2011 Press Releases</H1> <HR> <H2>Link to Article about Harkins Theater</H2> <UL> LI><A HREF="http://azstarnet.com/news/local/article_4435f549-3c70-5372-8e26-cd7f2455ae0a.html ">Read Article about Harkins Theaters</A> </UL> <HR> <H2>Presidential Proclamation -- National Disability Employment Awareness Month</H2> <P>THE WHITE HOUSE <BR> Office of the Press Secretary <BR>For Immediate Release October 3, 2011 <P>NATIONAL DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS MONTH, 2011 <BR>- - - - - - - <BR>BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA A PROCLAMATION <P>Utilizing the talents of all Americans is essential for our Nation to out-innovate, out-educate, and out-build the rest of the world. During National Disability Employment Awareness Month, we recognize the skills that people with disabilities bring to our workforce, and we rededicate ourselves to improving employment opportunities in both the public and private sectors for those living with disabilities. <P>More than 20 years after the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act, individuals with disabilities, including injured veterans, are making immeasurable contributions to workplaces across our country. Unfortunately, the unemployment rate for people with disabilities remains too high -- nearly double the rate of people without disabilities -- and reversing this trend is crucial. In both the public and private sectors, we can increase employment opportunities for Americans with disabilities. My Administration is promoting competitive, integrated employment for persons with disabilities and the elderly through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Last year, we also recommitted to making the Federal Government a model employer for people living with disabilities. Agencies are working harder than ever to promote equal hiring practices and increase retention, while also expanding internships, fellowships, and training opportunities. <P>We know education is the foundation on which all children can build bright and successful futures, and no child should be limited in his or her desire to learn. In September, we announced the final regulations under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Part C, to improve services and outcomes for infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families during the critical years before kindergarten. The educational environments we are creating for children with disabilities will ensure they are better prepared to succeed in the classroom and later in the workplace, helping position our Nation to lead in the 21st century. <P>Work accessibility is just as vital to success as ensuring educational and hiring opportunities. Public transportation is a service that should be available to all Americans, and rules instated this year by the Department of Transportation require new rail construction or renovations to ensure accessibility to persons with disabilities. We are also improving our compliance with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act to make Federal agencies' electronic and information technology more accessible to individuals with disabilities. This will ensure all applicants have equal opportunity to apply for jobs, and it will allow Federal employees to better use technology at work. <P>To win the future, we must harness the power of our Nation's richest resource -- our people. Americans with disabilities, like all Americans, are entitled to not only full participation in our society, but also full opportunity in our society. Their talents and contributions are vital to the strength of our Nation's workforce and our future prosperity. Together, we can ensure persons living with disabilities have equal access to employment, and to inclusive, supportive workplaces. <P>NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim October 2011 as National Disability Employment Awareness Month. I urge all Americans to embrace the talents and skills that individuals with disabilities bring to our workplaces and communities and to promote the right to equal employment opportunity for all people. <P>IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this third day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand eleven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-sixth. <P>BARACK OBAMA <HR> <H2>National Disability Employment Awareness Month Profit by Investing in Workers With Disabilities</H2> <P>America s businesses often profit from their investments in new technologies, in new markets and in new talent pools. By investing in workers with disabilities, public- and private-sector businesses are seeing the positive return on investment that results from hiring the right talent. National Disability Employment Awareness Month is annually celebrated throughout the country in October, and we are proud to recognize and celebrate the many and varied contributions of workers with disabilities and the businesses that invest in them. <P>As national partners, the U.S. Business Leadership Network (USBLN), U.S. Department of Education s Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA), and the Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation (CSAVR) have joined together to create a series of success profiles to introduce you to just a few of the 4.9 million youths and adult workers with disabilities currently contributing to America s workplace and economy. <P>The USBLN is the national disability organization that serves as the collective voice of over 60 Business Leadership Network affiliates across North America, representing over 5,000 employers. RSA is recognized for its federal-state partnership with the 80 state vocational rehabilitation agencies that provide services in each of the states, the District of Columbia and the territories to approximately 1 million individuals with significant disabilities each year. CSAVR is composed of the chief administrators of the public rehabilitation agencies serving individuals with physical and mental disabilities in the States, the District of Columbia, and the territories. Through CSAVR, the National Employment Team (The NET) was formed creating a coordinated approach to serving business customers through a national VR team that specializes in employer development, business consulting and corporate relations. <P>During the month of October, in celebration of DEAM, we would like to share a series of success stories. These stories demonstrate the determination, innovation, partnerships and collaboration that make an impact on the lives of the individuals, families, and businesses. <P>Week at a Glance: <BR>Week of October 3-7: Youth Transitions into Health Care Careers <BR>Week of October 10-14: Vocational Rehabilitation Services Make a Difference <BR>Week of October 17-21: Business Leadership <BR>Week of October 24-28: A Career in Public Services Week<BR> of October 31-Nov 4: Keeping Talent Working <P>To view our 2011 success stories, please visit our websites: <BR>www.rsa.ed.gov <http://www.rsa.ed.gov/> (http://rsa.ed.gov/commis_corner.cfm) <BR>www.usbln.gov <http://www.usbln.gov/> <BR>www.rehabnetwork.org <http://www.rehabnetwork.org/> (http://www.rehabnetwork.org/success_stories/success_stories.htm) <P>We d like to assist you in creating the next success story. For more information, please contact the affiliate of the USBLN (www.usbln.org <http://www.usbln.org/> ), the state Vocational Rehabilitation program (www.rsa.ed.gov <http://www.rsa.ed.gov/> ) in your area or CSAVR (www.rehabnetwork.org <http://www.rehabnetwork.org/> ). <P>FOCUS: DURAUN AT SENTARA WILLIAMSBURG REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER <BR>From Don West, director of support operations, Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center West commented that the hospital managers were reserved about volunteering to help with the program at first. While only a few managers supported the idea in the beginning, after the first semester, there was a waiting list of managers who wanted to work with the students. West said the students were all outstanding and became a part of the Sentara family: We realized that we had jobs for them! Sentara hired the majority of the students and they are excelling! In reality, some of the students are outperforming some of our employees. Being very selfish, I am looking forward to the 2012 class because I will be trying to fill any opening I have in my departments with the students. They have proven that they are outstanding and just want an opportunity to "shine." <P>Story about DuRaun <P>DuRaun is a young man who has a specific learning disability. He earned a special diploma from Williamsburg - James City County Public Schools. He started the SEARCH program in September 2010. His initial nine-week internship was as an out-patient rehab tech, where he assisted the therapists with patients. He helped them with exercise in the rehab room and in the pool, checked temperature gauges on equipment and cleaned the equipment. DuRaun has always been a very shy and quiet young man. During this rotation, he became more assertive, as evidenced by his willingness to get into the pool to help patients, particularly notable because he could not even swim. <P>DuRaun was hired after his second rotation in environmental services as a floor technician, where he now earns $10.35 per hour working 40 hours per week with full benefits. In fact, he requested the night shift and has been doing so well that they moved him to the emergency room floor. When I asked his supervisor how he was doing, he stated, I wish I had one hundred more employees just like him . <P>The confidence and maturity that DuRaun gained from participating in the Project SEARCH program is somewhat remarkable. He went from being almost timid to now being a model employee. As a result of DuRaun s success, he demonstrated to the hospital team that people with disabilities are productive, worthy of being valued employees. <P>RESOURCES: <BR>Virginia Department of Rehabilitation Services <BR>Website: http://www.vadrs.org <http://www.vadrs.org/> <HR> <P>DISCLAIMER: <P>Permission to publish this story was given by the Virginia Department of Rehabilitation Services and the consumer to the Rehabilitation Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Education. The contents of this document do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. Department of Education, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. government. Finally, the Department does not vouch for the accuracy or accessibility of the information contained on the referenced website, nor can it authorize the use of copyrighted materials contained in the links on that site. 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