Gov. Dennis Daugaard

Pierre, S.D. Oct. 4 – Gov. Dennis Daugaard has declared October as Disability Employment Awareness Month in South Dakota.

“The purpose of the month is to celebrate the many and varied contributions of America’s workers with disabilities and educate the public about disability employment issues,” he stated.

Through various activities in the public, recognition for people with disabilities will spread across the state. Employers will attend these events and learn about working with people with disabilities. They will be encouraged to become more open to hiring employees with disabilities. Likewise, people with disabilities will be more empowered in the work field.

“Hiring individuals with disabilities strengthens businesses, increases competition, and drives innovation,” Daugaard added.

His statement rings true across the country. [continue reading…]

Gov. Henry McMaster

Charleston, S.C., Oct. 4 – Gov. Henry McMaster has declared October to be Disability Employment Awareness Month in South Carolina. “South Carolinians with disabilities have the same aspirations to competitively work and contribute to their communities as anyone else,” McMaster stated.

The proclamation also notes, “all people are need to reduce attitudinal and physical barriers that hinder the full acceptance of people with disabilities and their rightful place in employment.”

In closing his statement, Gov. McMaster commits to “encourage all South Carolinians to work together to advance the message that people with disabilities are equal to the task.”

This proclamation follows a great year of job growth among people with disabilities living in the Palmetto State. Last year, 23,416 South Carolinians with disabilities entered the state’s workforce. [continue reading…]

Gov. Phil Bryant

Washington D.C., Oct. 4 – Gov. Phil Bryant proclaimed October as Disability Employment Awareness Month in Mississippi.

According to Gov. Bryant, “workplaces welcoming of the talents of all people, including people with disabilities, are a critical part of our efforts to build an inclusive community and strong economy.”

Activities throughout the month are to reinforce the message that people with disabilities are equally up to the task of employment. To do this, the governor “calls upon employers, schools, and other community organizations to observe this month with appropriate programs and activities that advance its important message.”

This proclamation follows a great year of job growth among people with disabilities living in the Magnolia State. 4,739 people with disabilities entered Mississippi’s workforce last year. [continue reading…]

Gov. John Bel Edwards

Baton Rouge, Oct.4 – Gov. John Bel Edwards has declared October as Disability Employment Awareness Month in Louisiana. In a signed proclamation, the Governor wrote, “When we diversify our workforce, we create opportunities for growth and improvement – not just for those with disabilities, but for everyone.”

Edwards also proclaimed, “Workplaces who welcome of the talents of all people, including people with disabilities, are a critical part of our efforts to build an inclusive community and strong economy.” [continue reading…]

Gov. Bruce Rauner

Washington D.C., Oct. 4 – Gov. Bruce Rauner has declared October as Disability Employment Awareness Month in Illinois.

“This year’s theme America’s Workforce: Empowering All is accordant with the State of Illinois’ dedication to improving the lives of all Illinoisans by employing skilled individuals of all ability levels,” Rauner states.

Throughout this month, Rauner’s objective is to encourage people with disabilities to accomplish their goals of employment with perseverance. Additionally, employers are invited to consider their options when they hire people with disabilities and use their creativity to come up with solutions about accommodations and jobs.

“Workplaces welcoming of the talents of all people, including people with disabilities, are a critical part of our efforts to build an inclusive community and strong economy,” Rauner adds.

This proclamation follows a great year of job growth among people with disabilities living in the Prairie State. 9,550 people with disabilities entered Illinois’ workforce last year. [continue reading…]

Gov. Nathan Deal

Atlanta, GA. Oct. 4 – Gov. Nathan Deal has declared October as Disability Employment Awareness Month in Georgia. In a signed proclamation, the Governor wrote, “The full inclusion and successful employment of individuals with disabilities are essential to building a robust and competitive workforce.”

Gov. Deal’s proclamation goes on to state, “Georgia is committed to expanding employment opportunities for citizens with disabilities.”

This proclamation follows an outstanding year of job growth among people with disabilities living in the Peach State. Last year, 28,642 people with disabilities entered Georgia’s workforce. [continue reading…]

Gov. Asa Hutchinson

Washington D.C., Oct. 4 – Gov. Asa Hutchinson has declared October as Disability Employment Awareness Month in Arkansas.

“In workplaces all across Arkansas and the United States, talented employees are vital to ensure the success of various corporations, government entities, and private sector organizations,” Hutchinson stated.

Hutchinson invites employers to consider their options when they hire people with disabilities and use their creativity to come up with solutions. By hiring people with disabilities, they are building up the flow of produced work. Like people without disabilities, people with disabilities have special talents that they can contribute to the company.

“People with disabilities offer a wide range of expertise and play an integral role in our efforts to build an inclusive community and strong economy,” Hutchinson adds. [continue reading…]

Co-Author of Americans with Disabilities Act Steve Bartlett Assumes Chair, Linda Burger is New Treasurer; Richard G. Phillips Jr. Joins Board

Washington, DC, Oct. 2, 2018 – RespectAbility, one of the nation’s leading disability organizations, is proud to announce that former U.S. Representative and Dallas Mayor Steve Bartlett will serve as chair of the organization’s Board of Directors, and that Linda Burger, MSSW, the CEO of Jewish Family Service in Houston, is the organization’s new Treasurer. Bartlett takes the reins from outgoing chairman Calvin Harris. Business and social change leader Richard G. Phillips Jr. joined its board of directors.

Hon. Steve Bartlett Assumes Chair

Steve Bartlett, Chair

Former U.S. Representative and Mayor of Dallas Steve Bartlett is the new chair of the RespectAbility Board of Directors.

Among 18 major pieces of legislation he sponsored in Congress that became law, Bartlett was a principal Republican author of the Americans with Disabilities Act, a landmark measure that greatly expanded the rights of individuals with disabilities and improved their access to public buildings, communities and jobs.

Bartlett previously served at RespectAbility’s Vice Chair. He currently serves as a Senior Advisor with Treliant Risk Advisors. He has more than 30 years of experience in financial services, business strategy, corporate governance, ethics and compliance as well as public policy at the highest levels of the private sector and government.

A former president and CEO of the Financial Services Roundtable in Washington, D.C., Bartlett’s advice is sought on a range of policy areas. He brings RespectAbility broad contacts on both sides of the political aisle and deep insights in business and job creation.

Calvin Harris, Chair Emeritus

Said Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi, RespectAbility’s president, “We are thrilled that Steve Bartlett will now take us to an even higher level as we fight stigmas and advance opportunities for people with disabilities. His deep expertise, passion, contacts and innovative problem-solving skills will enable us to significantly expand our impact. We are also deeply grateful for Calvin Harris’ leadership as chair. Under his tenure our National Leadership Program, where Harris is a favorite trainer, grew deeply in its impact and size. We are delighted he will remain on our board and join our co-founder Donn Weinberg as a Chair Emeritus.” [continue reading…]

On Eve of National Disability Employment Month:

Only 39 Percent of Lone Star State’s People with Disabilities Can Find Jobs, Says Ex-Dallas Congressman Steve Bartlett on Assuming Board Chair of RespectAbility

Steve Bartlett

Dallas, Texas, Oct. 2 – As National Disability Employment Month begins, RespectAbility, one of the nation’s leading disability organizations, has calculated that only 39 percent of Texans with disabilities are gainfully employed – ranking the Lone Star State number 22 in the nation in disability employment.

“Even though fewer than four in 10 Texans with disabilities can find jobs, we are making progress,” said incoming RespectAbility board of directors chair and former Dallas Mayor and U.S. Representative Steve Bartlett.

Bartlett, who was a principal GOP sponsor of the Americans With Disabilities Act while serving in Congress, was elected to chair the RespectAbility Board just as the organization began its annual commemoration of National Disability Employment Month. Bartlett takes the reins from outgoing chairman Calvin Harris.

He will be joined by fellow Texan Linda Burger, MSSW, the CEO of Jewish Family Service in Houston, who is assuming the office of Treasurer of the organization. [continue reading…]