News

In support of GLAAD and Disney | ABC Television Group Be Inspired’s #SpiritDay campaign to end bullying, RespectAbility staff and Fellows created a video about the importance of stopping bullying and choosing kindness instead.

RespectAbility, a national nonprofit working to fight stigmas and advance opportunities for people with disabilities, recognizes the importance of ending bullying against LGBTQ individuals, including against those who identify as a member of both the disability and LGBTQ communities. Read about some of RespectAbility’s staff and Fellows’ experiences:

• Gay and on the Autism Spectrum: My Experience Growing Up in the Closet
  Eric, Communications Associate and Spring 2018 Communications Fellow
• Learning About Myself and Coming Into My Own
  Lily, Summer 2018 Communications Fellow
• A Reflection on Truth and Acceptance: When Fear Finds a Home
  Daniel, Summer 2018 Communications Fellow
• At the Intersection of Deafness, Queerness and Being an Asian-American Woman
  Kaity, Summer 2018 Communications Fellow
• Having a Visible Disability While Coming Out as Gay
  Ben, National Leadership Director

Gov. Kate Brown

Washington, D.C., Oct. 18 – Gov. Kate Brown has declared October 2018 Disability Employment Awareness Month in Oregon.

“Workplaces welcoming talents of all people, including people with disabilities, are a critical part of our efforts to build an inclusive community and strong economy,” writes Brown in her proclamation. “In the spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Workforce Innovation and Opportunities Act (WIOA), Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Oregon’s Employment First initiative, we can improve and expand access to education and opportunities for people with disabilities to integrate into the workplace.”

Brown adds, “By working together to open doors of opportunity for all Oregon residents, including for those with disabilities, we can help fulfill the promise of our great State.”

Even as more people with disabilities got jobs nationally, 2,241 Oregonians with disabilities lost their jobs last year. The sobering reality of this fact gives Beaver State residents the chance to pause and think about what can be done to improve outcomes. [continue reading…]

Gov. John Kasich

Washington, D.C. Oct. 18 – Gov. John Kasich has declared October 2018 Disability Employment Awareness Month in Ohio.

“Maximizing the skills and talents of all Ohioans is essential to our state’s success and the skills that individuals with disabilities bring to our workforce, in both the public and private sectors, are vitally important,” writes Kasich in his proclamation. “Ohio’s workforce is enhanced when individuals with disabilities are employed and Ohio is fully committed to working with individuals to utilize their education, qualifications, talents and experiences to help them achieve employment.”

Citing the transformative work of Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities, Kasich added, “Ohio is setting the standard for bringing business leaders and disability stakeholders together to reduce barriers faced by those seeking employment.”

This proclamation follows a solid year of job growth that saw 6,707 Ohioans with disabilities get new jobs last year. [continue reading…]

Gov. Bill Walker

Washington, D.C., Oct. 18 – Gov. Bill Walker proclaimed October 1-7, 2018 to be Alaska Employ People with Disabilities Week.

“During the first week of October, the State of Alaska celebrates and recognizes the talents of individuals with disabilities in the workplace and promotes raising awareness about disability employment opportunities as well as challenges,” writes Walker in the proclamation. “Competitive and integrated employment provides individuals with a sense of pride, financial security, stable living conditions, access to better health management, and increased independence.”

This commitment from the governor comes at a time when jobs for people with disabilities have been increasing in the state of Alaska. Last year, 4,139 Alaskans with disabilities gained jobs.

Activities throughout the week should reflect the message that people with and without disabilities share the same workplace goals and values. Walker encourages Alaskans to celebrate workers with disabilities with appropriate programs and activities throughout the week that encourage employers to hire people with disabilities. [continue reading…]

Randall (Sterling K. Brown) and Toby (Chris Sullivan) on This Is Us

Los Angeles, California, Oct. 15 – The third season of This Is Us continues to tear at viewers’ heartstrings while carefully using its platform to shed light on an important issue that often goes unspoken in today’s society: mental health. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), one-in-five Americans lives with some form of mental illness. Not only is the show written in a way that people can connect with but it also is subliminally inviting the everyday viewer to join the conversation about the inclusion of people with disabilities.

Spoilers ahead.

[continue reading…]

Gov. Mark Dayton

Washington, D.C., Oct. 15 – Gov. Mark Dayton has declared October 2018 Disability Employment Awareness Month in Minnesota.

“Individuals with disabilities are proving themselves as valuable and productive contributors and taxpayers in the workforce,” writes Dayton in his proclamation. “To benefit Minnesota’s economy and its competitiveness in the global marketplace, the State of Minnesota must value the contributions of all people, including those with disabilities.”

This proclamation comes after a year of steady job growth for people with disabilities. Last year, 3,823 Minnesotans with disabilities got new jobs. [continue reading…]

Gov. Doug Ducey

Washington, D.C., Oct. 15 – Gov. Doug Ducey has declared October 2018 Disability Employment Awareness Month in Arizona.

“Arizona workplaces welcoming of the talents of all residents including individuals with disabilities, are part of a critical parts of our efforts to encourage a diverse community and rigorous economy,” writes Gov. Ducey. “Arizona prospers when an integrated workforce includes people with and without disabilities working side by side earning competitive wages and benefits. Businesses and organizations that hire, retain, and promote people with disabilities continue to discover that a strong workforce is an inclusive workforce. The perspective and creativity of people with disabilities benefit employers who acknowledge each person’s unique strengths and talents.”

This proclamation follows an outstanding year of job growth which saw 7,266 Arizonans with disabilities get new jobs. [continue reading…]

Ryan Guzman and Gavin McHugh eating cereal in the opening scene of “Stuck”

Los Angeles, California, Oct. 15 – When 20^th Century Fox Television’s 9-1-1 introduced a recurring character with a disability, it provided an opportunity to both normalize the inclusion of people with disabilities in all areas of society and highlight the importance of setting high expectations for children with disabilities.

Spoilers ahead.

[continue reading…]

Gov. Matt Mead

Washington, D.C. Oct. 12 – Gov. Matt Mead has declared October as Disability Employment Awareness Month in Wyoming.

Writing that “Wyoming’s citizens are proud of their independence and freedom,” Mead reiterated his ongoing effort to ensure that “people with disabilities can and should have opportunities to work in their communities and be paid competitive wages.”

In the proclamation, Mead reflected on his state’s efforts since 2014 when Wyoming became an Employment First State. In terms of jobs for people with disabilities, the Cowboy State consistently has outperformed other, bigger states like California and Texas. [continue reading…]