National Disability Employment Awareness Month 2022 Virtual Training

Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) is here to help employers and business owners find positive solutions when valuable employees acquire a disability. As part of our Disability Employment Awareness Calendar, our Division of Rehabilitation Services and retired Army Sgt. 1st Class Michael Schlitz will host a virtual training session to answer many of the common questions about resources and best practices for hiring and retaining employees with disabilities.

About Our Guest Speaker:

Army Sgt. 1st Class Michael Schlitz is a veteran who knows the reality of continuing life and work after acquiring a disability. In February of 2007, while serving in Southern Baghdad, Schlitz and his platoon experienced an explosion that threw him from his vehicle, killing his driver, gunner, and medic. Schlitz sustained burns on 85 percent of his body, lost vision in his left eye and became a double amputee.

 Now retired and the recipient of multiple valorous medals for his honorable service to our country, Schlitz is on a new mission to give back to veteran communities and “live a better life for the friends he lost that day; a life they would be proud of.” He travels the country to speak to many audiences, including Congress, about veteran issues and is heavily invested in veteran mentorship and related non-profits. In October 2022, Sgt. 1st Class Schlitz will share his insight on the topic of valuing and hiring employees for their strengths and not their disabilities.

About the Business Services Unit and Division of Rehabilitation Services

The Tennessee Department of Human Services Business Service Unit is a team of public servants dedicated to connecting employers to employees with disabilities. These workers bring many strengths to the workforce and our Business Services Unit helps businesses discover no-cost resources to save company time and money, increase accessibility, locate talent pools of skilled candidates, and retain valued employees. For more information about how our Business Services Unit supports Tennessee businesses, Click Here.