Nashville, TN (2008-10-01) Governor Phil Bredesen is designating October as Disability Employment Awareness Month to generate awareness about the talents and abilities of Tennessee’s citizens with disabilities.
‘America’s People, America’s Talent…America’s Strength!’ is the 2008 National Disability Employment Awareness Month theme. Disability Employment Awareness Month will call attention to an untapped personnel resource in this country – persons with disabilities.
“Our citizens with disabilities can and must be important contributors to our workforce,” said Bredesen. “Those businesses across Tennessee that employ persons with disabilities are leaders in not only improving community relations but also increasing productivity.”
The Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) within the Tennessee Department of Human Services provides vocational rehabilitation services to individuals with disabilities. VR services help them maximize their contribution to the workforce. Approximately 2,500 individuals with significant disabilities, including traumatic brain injury, blindness and mental retardation, were employed after completing rehabilitation programs during the last state fiscal year.
“Disability Employment Awareness Month allows us to reflect upon and consider the potential possessed by the thousands of persons with disabilities currently serving in our workforce,” said DHS Commissioner Gina Lodge. “This month also reminds us of those who are ready and willing to join the workforce. We recognize and salute the skills, creativity and dedication of working people with disabilities.”
Vocational rehabilitation offices across the state, as well as seventeen Tennessee Rehabilitation Centers located in rural communities and the residential comprehensive Tennessee Rehabilitation Center at Smyrna, provide numerous services to clients, including vocational training, physical or occupational therapy and transitional life skills. For more information on the centers, visit http://www.state.tn.us/humanserv/rehab/trc.htm.