Northeast Michigan Community Mental Health Authority Joins Broad Effort to Observe National Disability Employment Awareness Month
 

Nationwide campaign takes place each October

Northeast Michigan Community Mental Health Authority is joining the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy in recognizing National Disability Employment Awareness Month, an annual awareness campaign that takes place each October. The purpose of National Disability Employment Awareness Month is to educate about disability employment issues and celebrate the many and varied contributions of America's workers with disabilities. This year's theme is "Advancing Access and Equity."

The history of NDEAM traces back to 1945, when it started as a week and focused only on people with physical disabilities. Later, it expanded to a full month, and its name and scope evolved to acknowledge the importance of increasing the workforce inclusion of people with all nature of disabilities.

“Our communities and economy are strengthened by the inclusion of all people, including people with disabilities,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Disability Employment Policy Taryn M. Williams. “Their contributions have historically been vital to our nation’s success and are more important today than ever. We must build an accessible, equitable economy that fully includes the talent and drive of those with disabilities.”

Northeast Michigan Community Mental Health Authority is proud to be a part of this year's National Disability Employment Awareness Month.  "We want to spread the important message that we value all perspectives, including people of all abilities.” 

In addition to financial rewards, meaningful employment provides increased self-esteem and self- worth, development of friendships, the acquisition of new skills and much more.

We would like to show our sincere appreciation to community employers who hire people of all abilities and congratulate individuals who have improved their lives through employment.  The collaboration with employers to provide meaningful employment is remarkable in our four county area of Alcona, Alpena, Montmorency and Presque Isle Counties.  Recently an employer and employee shared their experience about the positive impact employment has for employers and persons of all abilities;

“I was slightly hesitant to make an employment offer for the sole reason that our kitchen operation is extremely busy and requires candidates to perform multiple tasks and exhibit self-starter characteristics.  I can share that hands down, Rebecca is or “shining star” employee.  All of our managers, coworkers and customers absolutely adore her and the exemplary work attitude/performance she brought to the job site each day.” “Partnering with you has been amazing! It had far exceeded my company’s expectations.  It has been a pure job to see the clients grow in a new skill set and they proved to be reliable and hardworking!” Nancy Jones, Choice Service, Inc.

“I am glad there is a place out there for people like me to get help when they need it. This was a good job opportunity for me, and they helped a ton. I felt very good about the whole process.”  Anonymous

To learn more about Community Employment Services and how it can provide a positive impact for you, please contact Margie Hale-Manley at 989-358-7871 or Sharon Becker at 989-358-7795.

Employers and employees in all industries can learn more about how to participate in National Disability Employment Awareness Month and ways they can promote its messages—during October and throughout the year—by visiting dol.gov/NDEAM.

 “Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work at work worth doing.”