Employment event for local disabled
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) and the perfect time for the community to join together in creating those employment opportunities for our local Yuma community members who have disabilities, including our Wounded Warriors.
In recognition of NDEAM, we here at ACHIEVE Human Resources Inc. plan to host Yuma's first employment fair specifically designed to address the employment and employment supports for individuals with disabilities and our Wounded Warriors.
This event is a collaboration of the Department of Economic Security: Division of Developmental Disabilities (DES/DDD); Department of Economic Security: Rehabilitation Services Administration (DES/RSA); Yuma Union High School District; Yuma County Intergovernmental Public Transportation Authority (YCIPTA); Cenpatico of Arizona; Services Maximizing Independent Living Empowerment (SMILE), Linkages and ACHIEVE.
The name of the event is D.R.E.A.M. (Disability and Rehabilitation Employment Awareness Month) Faire. It will be held at ACHIEVE's Governance Hall at 3220-B E. 40th St. on Oct. 24 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It is free to all exhibitors or attendees.
Beverages and light snacks will be served throughout the day that have been prepared by individuals with disabilities who are employed within the food service industry. There will be periodic drawings and announcements throughout the event that will feature many of the various organizations that provide employment supports and/or employment training for individuals with disabilities.
Additionally, there will be opportunities for local businesses to showcase their business, discuss jobs within their industry and actually post and accept applications during the event. A computer lab will be available to any attendee who would like to access the Internet to apply for a job or search for potential employment opportunities.
Five breakout sessions have been scheduled that will address various topics that are important to individuals with disabilities and to employers:
• Special work accommodations and supports for individuals with disabilities.
• Community-based services and support for behavioral health.
• Social Security benefits counseling.
• Tax advantages for employers who hire individuals with disabilities.
• DES enrollment process.
In addition to these breakout sessions, there will be computer simulations and assistance available throughout the four-hour event that will actually calculate Social Security benefits and maximum employment income.
This is truly a “one of a kind” event. I highly encourage the Yuma business community and private citizens to participate as an exhibitor and attend to find out about all the excellent services available within the community that support the employment of individuals with disabilities. I look forward to a very successful event and in working with the Yuma business community in creating a better life through employment for individuals with disabilities.
Carol A. Carr
President/CEO
ACHIEVE Human Services Inc.
Yuma
