October Named Disability Employment Awareness Month
Events Across The State Highlight Abilities of People With Disabilities
NASHVILLE – Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam is designating October as Disability Employment Awareness Month to generate awareness about the talents and abilities of Tennessee citizens with disabilities.
“Profit by Investing in Workers with Disabilities” is the theme of the 2011 National Disability Employment Awareness Month. The theme calls attention to a potentially untapped personnel resource in Tennessee and across the country – persons with disabilities.
“I am honored to announce October as ‘Disability Employment Awareness Month’ in Tennessee and highlight the capabilities of those with disabilities. Every Tennessean can be a key contributor to our workforce,” Haslam said.
The Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) within the Department of Human Services (DHS) provides rehabilitation services to Tennesseans with disabilities. A number of individuals with the most significant disabilities, such as quadriplegia, blindness and traumatic brain injuries, have found employment after completing rehabilitation programs through DHS and community partners during the fiscal year 2010-11.
“At DHS, we work with and proudly serve many individuals living with disabilities across the state. Whether their disability can be seen, or not, their contributions should not be overlooked,” said DHS Commissioner Dr. Raquel Hatter. “Employers who recruit qualified employees with disabilities often discover a committed workforce of individuals who motivate and educate others by simple day-to-day interaction.”
Vocational rehabilitation offices across the state as well as the seventeen Tennessee Rehabilitation Centers located in rural communities and the residential comprehensive Tennessee Rehabilitation Center in Smyrna provide numerous services to clients, including vocational training, physical or occupational therapy and transitional life skills. For more information on the TRCs across Tennessee, please, visit http://www.tn.gov/humanserv/rehab/vrs.html .
DHS staff members are working with businesses and agencies across Tennessee on activities recognizing Disability Employment Awareness Month. Attached is a partial list of scheduled events.
DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS MONTH SCHEDULE
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October 4 |
Joint City and County signing of Proclamation for Disability Employment Awareness Month at 9 a.m. Contact: Lisa Kinkade (731) 423-5620 ext. 328 |
Jackson City Hall 101 East Main Street Jackson, TN |
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October 5 |
Regional Workforce Employer Outreach Committee(WEOC) and Chamber Forum Let’s Do Lunch from Noon to 1 p.m. Contact: Teresa Smith (423) 434-6613
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TN Rehabilitation Center at Elizabethton 407 Cherokee Park Drive Elizabethton, TN |
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October 13 |
Disability Awareness Summit held by The City of Memphis and the Memphis Advisory Council for Citizens with Disabilities from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Contact: Christina Clift (901) 726-6404 ext. 108 |
Christ United Methodist Church 4488 Poplar Avenue Memphis, TN |
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October 15 |
Go! Fest Sponsored by the City of Chattanooga area industry and agencies strives to eliminate barriers for persons with disabilities from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Contact: Carol Martin (423) 634-6725 |
Chattanooga Zoo at Warner Park 301 North Holtzclaw Avenue Chattanooga, TN
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October 15 |
TN Business Leadership Network Night for Disability Awareness Month with the Nashville Predators and New Jersey Devils Game at 7 p.m. Contact: Cathy Houser (615) 741-1606 ext. 121 |
Bridgestone Arena 501 Broadway Nashville, TN |
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October 17 |
Mayor’s Advisory Committee for People with Disabilities Recognition Awards at 5:30 p.m. Contact: Bridget Galvin (615) 862-6034 |
Nashville Farmer’s Market 900 Rosa Parks Boulevard Nashville, TN |
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October 18
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Chamber of Commerce Disabilities Awareness Coffee at 9 a.m. Contact: Teresa A. Lawson (931) 685-5017 |
TN Rehabilitation Center at Shelbyville 1618 Railroad Avenue Shelbyville, TN |
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October 19 |
Disability Mentoring Day Contact: Trish Farmer (615) 313-4907
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October 19 |
Disability Employment Awareness Month Proclamation and Community Reception at 8 a.m. Contact: Deborah Quillen (865) 981-2382
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TN Rehabilitation Center at Maryville Blount County Industrial Park 1749 Triangle Park Drive Maryville, TN |
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October 20 |
Job Fair sponsored by Montgomery County Career Center at 10 a.m. Contact: Virginia Talley (931) 648-5560 |
TN Rehabilitation Center of Clarksville 1575 Corporate Parkway Boulevard Clarksville, TN |
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October 20 |
Area Recognition Awards Luncheon by Southeast Placement Consortium from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Contact: Carol Martin (423) 634-6725 |
Chattanooga Convention & Trade Center One Carter Plaza Chattanooga, TN |
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October 21 |
Disability Employment Awareness Month Open House from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Contact: Pam Furlong (615) 898-8088 |
TN Rehabilitation Center at Murfreesboro 1132 Haley Road Murfreesboro, TN |
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October 25 |
Area Recognition Awards Luncheon at 11:30 a.m. at TN Rehabilitation Center of Dyersburg Contact: Ronda Baker (731) 286-8315 |
TN Rehabilitation Center of Dyersburg 1365 Morgan Road Dyersburg, TN
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October 25 |
Nashville Area Employment Consortium and TN Business Leadership Network Recognition Awards Luncheon from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Contact: Marci Hess (615) 948-3464
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Airport Marriott Hotel 600 Marriott Drive Nashville, TN |
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October 26 |
Disability Employment Awareness Month Community Open House with TN Department of Labor Career Coach from 9 a.m. to Noon Contact: Linda Suddarth (615) 451-5826 |
TN Rehabilitation Center at Gallatin 1019 Union School Road Gallatin, TN |
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October 26 |
Knoxville Area Employment Consortium and Knoxville Business Advisory Council Disability Employment Awareness Breakfast Program from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Contact: Tina Jones (865) 594-6720 ext. 1105
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Knoxville Downtown Hilton Hotel 501 Church Avenue Knoxville, TN |
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October 27
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Disability Employment Awareness Month Community Open House from 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. Contact: Sharon Logan (931) 380-2550 ext. 112 |
TN Rehabilitation Center at Columbia 206 Wayne Street Columbia, TN |
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October 27
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Disability Employment Awareness Month Community Open House from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Contact: Gale Demick (615) 459-6811 ext. 246 |
TN Rehabilitation Center at Smyrna 460 Ninth Avenue Smyrna, TN
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