Raleigh, NC (October 2015) - Each October, the disability community observes National Disability Employment Awareness Month to celebrate the many contributions of workers with disabilities – in reality, people with disabilities face an 80% unemployment rate in North Carolina and across the country.

"Efforts are underway in the private sector and on the national and state levels to address what many see as a catastrophic unemployment rate among people with disabilities," said Chris Egan, executive director of the North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities (NCCDD). "For example, Employment First is a national movement built on the idea that employment is the first priority and preferred outcome for people with disabilities."

"In North Carolina, Project SEARCH, Reaching the Summit of Success and Learning and Earning After High School are NCCDD programs working to increase competitive employment opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities," Egan said. "In the private sector, some of the state's biggest employers are participating in the North Carolina Business Leadership Network's (NCBLN) fall conference on Thursday, October 22 at Charlotte Motor Speedway."

The conference will feature a number of presentations such as "Inclusion: Bringing Employees with Disabilities Completely into the Company Workforce" by Great Wolf Lodge and "Bringing Technology into the Workplace to Release the Productive Talents of People with Disabilities." The day's agenda will feature speakers from EY, MetLife, Duke Energy and a panel of self-advocates addressing, "The Challenges Facing People with Disabilities that are Looking for a Career."

"Employment is so important to people – it provides a sense of purpose, pride and accomplishment while building a network of co-workers and friends that grow to become an important part of their lives as opposed to living in isolation," said Egan. "Here in North Carolina, we have a great opportunity for state, county and municipal government to set the example by ensuring inclusive hiring processes are in place that encourage applicants with disabilities to apply and compete for jobs."

About North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities:

The North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities (NCCDD) works to assure that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families participate in the design of and have access to needed community services, individualized supports and other forms of assistance that promote self-determination, independence, productivity and inclusion in all areas of community life. The Council identifies problems facing its community through its five-year planning process and funds innovative projects and initiatives that promote the goals of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act (DD Act) for all North Carolinians.

North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities
Devika Rao, 678-384-7836
[email protected]