Media Center

Today Congressman David Scott (GA-13) issued the following statement in honor of National Disability Employment Awareness Month: In 1945, Congress enacted a law declaring the first week in October of each year as “National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week,” in order to educate the American public about issues related to disability and employment. From there, the week expanded into a month designated “National Disability Employment Awareness Month.” And today, I am so pleased to acknowledge and praise those who work to further the necessary awareness of those individuals and American workers who live with a disability.

The American worker has enough to handle and manage as it is, but the employee who lives with a disability copes with other barriers many of us will never experience. I commend the work these groups are doing to ensure these individuals, completely capable of employment, find that employment and are not discriminated against. However, there is much work to do. The employment rate of working age people with disabilities remains only half that of people without disabilities. These numbers are far too low and this population has for far too long been a group unable to rise above the employment and earnings gaps. There is a benefit to us all for working toward inclusion of more and more disabled workers. Again, I am pleased to celebrate “National Disability Employment Awareness Month” this October and will continue my ongoing efforts in Congress to ensure equality for all, making the barriers facing individuals with disabilities once and for all a thing of the past.

            

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