As Disability Employment Awareness Month officially begins Wednesday, Oct. 1, people are reminded to take note of the varied and valuable contributions of America’s workers who have disabilities.
Richland Newhope Industries, Inc. celebrated Disability Employment Awareness Month’s kickoff with a proclamation reading at the county commissioners’ regular meeting Tuesday.
The purpose of the month is to educate people about disability employment issues and celebrate those with disabilities who contribute to the workforce. This year’s theme is “Expect. Employ. Empower.”
Amanda South, Richland Newhope’s director of adult services, commented, “We have a large workforce and a lot of people that are really interested in working in the community. So many times they just need the opportunity to prove themselves on the job.”
She noted that just last year, Richland Newhope supported about 200 individuals in community employment services.
She also shared that Richland Newhope has started new programs at their facility to help transition individuals into community employment. Since starting that program, she said about half of the participants (roughly 25) have gained employment in the community.
Justin Rose of Mansfield is among those hoping to make the transition into community employment. He currently works at RNI’s Longview Avenue location.
Rose, along with Daniel Davies and Mark Majors, was named Employee of the Year. Davies works at RNI’s Fourth Street location and Majors works at Walmart on Possum Run Road.
These three individuals will be featured on billboards in the Mansfield area during October.
Developmental disabilities affect more than 600 Richland County adults, served by Richalnd Newhope, while employment figures show that only 20 percent, less than one in five people with disabilities of working age (18-64) work full-or part-time.
Commissioner Ed Olson affirmed the value of hiring workers with disabilities, saying that they have great capability and fantastic work ethic.
During the proclamation reading, Commissioner Gary Utt stated, “Youth with disabilities can grow up with expectation of employment, and parents, educators, and other adults can strengthen this expectation by cultivating a clear vision of work and community participation.”
As part of this year’s local observance, Richland Newhope will hold its annual Employer Recognition Breakfast, where businesses in the community that employ individuals with developmental disabilities, as well as those that contract with RNI, will be honored.
The 2014 Employers of the Year, Waterford and Valentec-Galion LLC, will also be recognized, along with the Employees of the Year.
The reservation-only breakfast will be held Oct. 23 at 7:30 a.m. at the Holiday Inn in Mansfield.
Established in 1963, Richland Newhope Industries, Inc. provides services and support for community employment, industrial services at three production sites, personal and social services, recreational services, and options for seniors.
Richland Newhope (Richland County Board of Developmental Disabilities) supports more than 1,750 individuals through early intervention, preschool, adult, residential, therapy, transportation and other family support programs.
