Each October, the Employment Support Services (ESS) team at Dickinson Center, Inc. (DCI), an affiliate of Journey Health System, joins the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy in recognizing National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). The purpose of NDEAM is to bring attention to disability employment and celebrate the many and varied contributions of America’s workers with disabilities. This year marks NDEAM’s 80th anniversary and the campaign’s theme is “Celebrating Value and Talent.”
The history of NDEAM traces back to 1945, when it began as a weeklong recognition of people with physical disabilities. Later, NDEAM was expanded to a full month and evolved to include all people with disabilities, including those with mental health conditions and other nonobvious disabilities, acknowledging the importance of increasing their access to employment.
Reflecting this year’s theme, throughout the month, DCI’s ESS will be engaging in a variety of activities to educate the community on disability employment and their commitment to an accessible and supportive work culture for people with disabilities, including those with mental health conditions and other nonobvious disabilities. These efforts include a NDEAM Recognition Event on October 21 at 10:00 a.m. at DCI’s headquarters located at 43 Servidea Drive, Ridgway, Pennsylvania.
“Dickinson Center, Inc. is proud to take part again in National Disability Employment Awareness Month,” said Marsha Dippold, DCI’s Director of Employment Support Services. “We want to spread the important message that we value all perspectives, including those of individuals with disabilities.”
“DCI’s amazing ESS team has provided vocational services for hundreds of adults and students within our four-county region of Elk, Cameron, McKean and Potter counties for over 10 years,” added Dippold. She requested that if anyone knows of businesses that are short staffed and are looking to hire good, reliable employees, to please contact ESS. Contact information and referral forms can be found at www.dickinsoncenter.org/ess .