FOR RELEASE: October 1, 2018
OOD Recognizes
National Disability Employment Awareness Month
with Job Fairs and
Employer Awards
COLUMBUS, OH - National Disability Employment
Awareness Month is a campaign held in October to raise awareness on employment
issues for people with disabilities and celebrates the many contributions of
America’s workers with disabilities. This year’s theme is America’s
Workforce: Empowering All. Opportunities
for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) is leading the state’s efforts across Ohio
to promote the benefits of hiring individuals with disabilities. Specifically,
the agency is hosting job fairs that are designed to connect OOD job seekers
with employers and recognizing employers who are committed to an inclusive and
diverse workforce. Last year, more than 270 individuals with disabilities were
hired at these events. This hiring rate is more than twice the industry
standard.
“OOD is committed to engaging
and educating Ohio businesses on the benefits of recruiting, hiring and
retaining individuals with disabilities,” said Executive Director Kevin L.
Miller. “We continue to build partnerships with businesses to increase the
hiring of individuals with disabilities. Last year, we assisted nearly 6,000
individuals with disabilities to successfully find employment.” For more
information, see OOD
Director Miller's video.
During October, OOD will host
its sixth annual series of job fairs for OOD job seekers and employers that are
specifically looking to hire individuals with disabilities. The job fairs, held
in Cincinnati, Columbus, Toledo, Canton and Cleveland, will provide individuals
with disabilities a unique opportunity to connect one-on-one with employers.
This year, more than 175 employers have registered to take part in these events
and several hundred individuals with disabilities will be attending the job
fairs.
In addition, the annual OOD Employer
Partners of Inclusion Awards will recognize and honor businesses that hire
individuals with disabilities. To be considered for an Employer Partners of
Inclusion Award, businesses must be an employer partner with OOD, have hired at
least five OOD job seekers, and must meet specific criteria that demonstrates
their level of diversity and inclusion practices for individuals with
disabilities in the workplace. Awards will be presented for Champion of Inclusion,
Platinum Level, Gold Level and Silver Level. For more information, visit OOD's
Employer Partners of Inclusion Awards.
OOD is the state agency responsible for assisting individuals with disabilities to gain meaningful employment, to live independently or receive disability benefits through the Social Security Administration. www.ood.ohio.gov.
Follow OOD: Twitter: @OhioOOD
Facebook: @OhioOOD YouTube: @OhioOOD
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