(Bethlehem, PA) — October 2018 —In Pennsylvania, where hiring people with disabilities is a key part of the state’s workforce development strategies, 13,187 disabled individuals entered the workforce last year— the most of any state in the nation. But nevertheless, the national unemployment rate for people with disabilities is more than double that of those without disabilities. In 2017, only 18.7% of people with disabilities were employed, versus 65.7% of those without a disability.
This month, Via is joining the movement to celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month, an annual awareness campaign to educate about disability employment issues and celebrate the many and varied contributions of America’s workers with disabilities. This year’s theme is “America’s Workforce: Empowering All.”
The history of National Disability Employment Awareness Month traces back to 1945, when Congress enacted a law declaring the first week in October each year “National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week.” In 1962, the word “physically” was removed to acknowledge the employment needs and contributions of individuals with all types of disabilities. In 1988, Congress expanded the week to a month and changed the name to National Disability Employment Awareness Month.
“Via of the Lehigh Valley is proud to be a part of this year’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month,” said Jillian Lovejoy, Via’s Communications Director. “Via focuses on a person’s abilities and provides the support they need to succeed. We offer several types of employment services and excel at both creating innovative employment solutions for job seekers and matching those with business needs.”
About Via
Serving our community since 1952, Via of the Lehigh Valley helps people with disabilities to reach their full potential. Via gives children a chance for early success through speech, occupational and physical therapy. Via helps people find jobs in our community that leave them satisfied and fulfilled. And Via helps people, from teens to retirement, connect and live in their community by volunteering and participating in recreational activities. Visit www.ViaNet.org to learn more about Via’s services.
Jillian Lovejoy
Communications Director, Via of the Lehigh Valley
336 W. Spruce Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018
www.ViaNet.org
