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October is Disability Employment Awareness Month

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National Disability Employment Awareness Month 2023

Fairfax County Department of Family Services is proud to participate in National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). Held each October, NDEAM aims to recognize the essential role people with disabilities play in our nation’s economic success through employment.

This year’s theme is "Advancing Access and Equity." According to the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 21.3 percent of persons with a disability were employed in 2022, up from 19.1 percent in 2021.

Each October, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors proudly introduces a proclamation to celebrate Disability Employment Awareness Month. The proclamation by Chairman Jeff McKay recognizes the contributions of workers with disabilities and the county's commitment to help educate the public about disability employment issues. Fairfax County Government values the contributions of all people, including those of individuals with disabilities and celebrates in their accomplishments.

Fairfax County’s Disability Rights and Resources (DRR) unit celebrates NDEAM by hosting an annual Employment Mentoring Day event every October. We partner with Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) to educate high school students about employment opportunities and requirements and celebrate the many contributions of America's workers with disabilities.

Last year during our mentoring day event, Andrew Magill, Fairfax Area-Disability Services Board Member and former John Hudson intern, presented on Internship and Career Experience. Moriah Kitaeff, also a former John Hudson intern, shared about her experience as one of our interns and her subsequent hiring by Fairfax County. Students then enjoyed a fun activity break followed by a career fair and job site tours where they could gain a deeper understanding of different positions and openings. Students enjoyed participating in the activities and DRR received positive feedback from students, teachers and employees.

While disability employment is celebrated in October, it is imperative that advocacy take place year-round to ensure that persons with disabilities are employed at a rate equal to persons without disabilities.

*_{Statistics obtained from the Department of Labor and the American Community Survey.}

WHEREAS, October is recognized nationally as Disability Employment Awareness Month; and

WHEREAS, this year's theme is Advancing Access and Equity, celebrating the passage of the Rehabilitation Act a half-century ago, the first federal legislation to address access and equity for people with disabilities; and

WHEREAS, 11% of working individuals in Virginia identify themselves as having a disability; and

WHEREAS, in Virginia, 23.9% of adult residents with a disability have income below the poverty level, including here in Fairfax County; and

WHEREAS, a workplace that is inclusive of people with disabilities is an enriching environment that spurs creativity, ingenuity, and productivity for everyone;

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, on behalf of all residents of Fairfax County, does hereby proclaim October 2023 as

Disability Employment Awareness Month

in Fairfax County, recognizing the contributions of workers with disabilities and reaffirming its commitment to promoting employment of people with disabilities, including a goal of making Fairfax County government a model employer of people with disabilities.

Jeffrey C. McKay, Chairman
Fairfax County Board of Supervisors
October 1, 2023

Disability Employment Awareness Month 2023

Talking Points:

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month.
This year’s theme, Advancing Access and Equity recognizes the essential role people with disabilities play in our nation’s economic success.
In 2022, 21.3 percent of persons with a disability were employed, up from 19.1 percent in 2021, the U.S.*
The unemployment rates for persons with a disability (7.6 percent) and persons without a disability (3.5 percent) both declined in 2022.*
Working age persons with disabilities in Fairfax County are about five times more likely to earn less than half of the poverty line.
While disability employment is celebrated in October, it is imperative that advocacy take place year-round to ensure that persons with disabilities are employed at a rate equal to persons without disabilities.

*The statistics on employment are based on data obtained from the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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Employment Mentoring Day

Fairfax County’s Disability Rights and Resources hosted Employment Mentoring Day 2022 for students from Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS). It was a great success! We partnered with FCPS to educate high school students about employment opportunities and requirements, and we celebrated the many contributions of America's workers with disabilities. Students met with professionals from several departments to learn about different careers. They also heard from former interns in the John Hudson Internship program and toured the Government Center to learn about career options.