Employer Meeting Features Nationally Acclaimed Comedian Who Isn't Joking About Hiring the Disabled
Friday, October 22, 2010 | 06:10am
Free Event Highlights Abilities of People with Disabilities
NASHVILLE – Eastman Chemical is hosting an event for employers about the benefits of hiring individuals with disabilities. The program will feature nationally acclaimed comedian Brett Leake. Leake was the first disabled comedian to appear on NBC’s The Tonight Show and has performed another four times on the program.
The workforce meeting will be held at Eastman Chemical Company (Toy F. Reid Employee Center, 400 South Wilcox Drive, Kingsport, N) on Tuesday, October 26th, from 8:30 to 11:30 AM. In addition to keynote speaker Brett Leake, presenters will provide information on ADAAA, a regional homeless report, and employer/employee recognition.
Earlier this month, Governor Phil Bredesen proclaimed October as Disability Employment Awareness Month to promote understanding about the talents and abilities of Tennessee’s citizens with disabilities. “Workers with disabilities are an underutilized and ambitious group of citizens eager to pursue their career dreams,” said Bredesen.
Earlier this month, Governor Phil Bredesen proclaimed October as Disability Employment Awareness Month to promote understanding about the talents and abilities of Tennessee’s citizens with disabilities. “Workers with disabilities are an underutilized and ambitious group of citizens eager to pursue their career dreams,” said Bredesen.
C-Ann Chapman, Employer Services Specialist and coordinator of the event, reported more than 225 employers have already RSVP’d. “We’re very lucky to have such a talented speaker who exemplifies the success someone who faces physical challenges can achieve,” said Chapman. “This meeting will be both hilarious and informative, and we’re expecting to sell out even though there’s no charge for admission.”
The disability Forum has been organized by the Northeast Tennessee Diversity in Employment Consortium (NETDEC) in conjunction with the Appalachian Regional Coalition on Homelessness (ARCH) to provide information to employers about the benefits of hiring individuals with disabilities.
The meeting is part of a series of Workforce Employer Outreach Committees for employers across Tennessee organized by the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development. The public/private partnership encourages economic development, promotes departmental services, facilitates the distribution of policies and information, and improves awareness of the capabilities of the Tennessee Career Center System.
For more information and to RSVP attendance to the event please contact:
C-Ann Chapman, Employer Services Specialist
Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development
(423) 534-1760
Teresa Smith
DRS Corporate Connections
(423) 434-6613
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