Governor Proclaims October Disability Employment Awareness Month
Wednesday, October 01, 2008 | 10:35am
NASHVILLE – 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
DRS staff are working with businesses and agencies across Tennessee on activities recognizing Disability Employment Awareness Month. Attached is a partial list of scheduled events.
DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS MONTH SCHEDULE
October 2 Disability Employment Awareness Month Community Open House
The Tennessee Rehabilitation Center at Sumner County from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Contact: Larry Piper (615) 451-5826 ext. 12 Sumner County TRC
1019 Union School Rd.
Gallatin, TN
October 3 Career Day for Persons with Disabilities Sponsored by the Upper Cumberland Human Resource Agency, Training Resources Employment Network for Disability Services (TRENDS), and Cookeville Noon Rotary Club from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Contact: Danielle Cason (931) 520-8733 ext. 121 Hyder-Burks Agricultural Pavilion
2390 Gainesboro Grade
Cookeville, TN
October 6 Business Expo and Career Day sponsored by area business and industry from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Contact: Kim Hasty (931) 962-1162 ext. 104 Monterey Station
Cowan, TN
October 7 City Signing of Proclamation for Disability Employment Awareness Month at 9 a.m. Contact: Lisa Kinkade (731) 423-5620, ext. 328 Jackson City Hall
101 East Main Street
Jackson, TN
October 10 The TN Mental Health Consumers’ Association Job Fair sponsored by area industry and agencies from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Contact: Lisa Kinkade (731) 423-5620 ext. 328 Madison County UT Extension Complex,
309C North Parkway
Jackson, TN
October 11 Go! Fest Sponsored by the City of Chattanooga, area industry and agencies strives to eliminate barriers for persons with disabilities from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.
Contact: Carol Martin (423) 634-6725. Chattanooga Zoo at Warner Park
Chattanooga, TN
October 14
Chamber of Commerce Disabilities Awareness Coffee from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Contact Elizabeth Strode (931) 685-5017 TN Rehabilitation Center at Shelbyville
1618 Railroad Avenue
Shelbyville, TN
October 15 Disability Mentoring Day
Contact: Regena Burrow (615) 313-4893 Statewide
October 15 Disability Employment Awareness Month Community Open House from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Contact: Pat Plumlee (615) 790-5509, ext. 114
TN Rehabilitation Center at Franklin
1405-A Brookwood Ave.
Franklin, TN
October 16 ”Strength through Ability” featuring the Access Express technology exhibit from the STAR Center from 9 a.m. to Noon.
Contact: Harvey Buchanan (731) 668-2040 TN Career Center
362 Carriage House Dr.
Jackson, TN
October 16 Area Recognition Awards Luncheon from
11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. by Southeast TN Placement Consortium
Contact: Carol Martin (423) 634-6725 Chattanooga Convention and
Trade Center
One Carter Plaza
Chattanooga, TN
October 17 Disability Employment Awareness Month Community Open House from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Contact: Libby Heflen (931) 380-2550 TN Rehabilitation Center of Columbia
206 Wayne Street
Columbia, TN
October 21 Disability Employment Awareness Day Celebration from 1:45 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Contact: Libby Heflen (931) 380-2550 TN Rehabilitation Center of Columbia
206 Wayne Street
Columbia, TN
October 22 Disability Employment Awareness Month Community Open House at the TN Rehabilitation Center of Cleveland from
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Contact: Delwyn Smith (423) 478-0332, ext. 27 TN Rehabilitation Center of Cleveland
3069 Overlook Drive Suite B
Cleveland, TN
October 23 Social Security Benefits, Work, and You! Sponsored by local industry and agencies from 10 a.m. to Noon.
Contact: Lisa Kinkade (731) 423-5620 ext. 328 TN Career Center
362 Carriage House Dr.
Jackson, TN
October 23 Employment Forum sponsored by Eastman Chemical Company, TN Department of Labor and Workforce Development’s Employer Outreach Committee and the Northeast TN Diversity in Employment Consortium from
8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Contact: Teresa Smith (423) 434-6613 Eastman Chemical Company
Toy F. Reid Employee Center
400 South Wilcox Drive
Kingsport, TN
October 23 Mayor’s Advisory Committee for People with Disabilities Recognition Awards from
5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Contact: Bridget Galvin (615) 862-6034 Metro Southeast
1417 Murfreesboro Rd.
Nashville, TN
October 24 Disability Employment Awareness Month Community Open House at the TN Rehabilitation Center at Union City from
1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Contact: Chris Holbrook (731) 884-2600,
ext. 108 TN Rehabilitation Center
1419 N. Morgan Ext.
Union City, TN
October 24 Disability Employment Awareness Month Community Open House at the TN Rehabilitation Center at Murfreesboro at 9 a.m.
Contact: Jan Bush (615) 898-8088, ext. 119 TN Rehabilitation Center 1132 Haley Road
Murfreesboro, TN
November 13 TRC Disability Employment Awareness Day
Contact: Gale Demick (615) 459-6811, ext. 246 TN Rehabilitant Center 460 Ninth Avenue
Smyrna, TN
For more information contact Trish Farmer or Michelle Mowery Johnson at 615-313-4700.