This past Saturday, 72 Skills Inc. employees participated in the Kent Christmas Rush 5K. The group activity was planned by our Wellness Coordinator, Laurell Aldrich, who joined Skills Inc. over a year ago to spearhead our company-wide wellness plan. This is just one of the many ways that we are trying to motivate and encourage our workforce to become healthier and incorporate it into all aspects of their lives.

Congratulations to all who participated!

NATIONAL DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS MONTH, 2011

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BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

          Utilizing the talents of all Americans is essential for our Nation to out-innovate, out-educate, and out-build the rest of the world. During National Disability Employment Awareness Month, we recognize the skills that people with disabilities bring to our workforce, and we rededicate ourselves to improving employment opportunities in both the public and private sectors for those living with disabilities.

          More than 20 years after the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act, individuals with disabilities, including injured veterans, are making immeasurable contributions to workplaces across our country. Unfortunately, the unemployment rate for people with disabilities remains too high — nearly double the rate of people without disabilities — and reversing this trend is crucial.

          In both the public and private sectors, we can increase employment opportunities for Americans with disabilities. My Administration is promoting competitive, integrated employment for persons with disabilities and the elderly through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Last year, we also recommitted to making the Federal Government a model employer for people living with disabilities. Agencies are working harder than ever to promote equal hiring practices and increase retention, while also expanding internships, fellowships, and training opportunities.

          We know education is the foundation on which all children can build bright and successful futures, and no child should be limited in his or her desire to learn. In September, we announced the final regulations under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Part C, to improve services and outcomes for infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families during the critical years before kindergarten. The educational environments we are creating for children with disabilities will ensure they are better prepared to succeed in the classroom and later in the workplace, helping position our Nation to lead in the 21st century.

          Work accessibility is just as vital to success as ensuring educational and hiring opportunities. Public transportation is a service that should be available to all Americans, and rules instated this year by the Department of Transportation require new rail construction or renovations to ensure accessibility to persons with disabilities. We are also improving our compliance with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act to make Federal agencies’ electronic and information technology more accessible to individuals with disabilities. This will ensure all applicants have equal opportunity to apply for jobs, and it will allow Federal employees to better use technology at work.

          To win the future, we must harness the power of our Nation’s richest resource — our people. Americans with disabilities, like all Americans, are entitled to not only full participation in our society, but also full opportunity in our society. Their talents and contributions are vital to the strength of our Nation’s workforce and our future prosperity. Together, we can ensure persons living with disabilities have equal access to employment, and to inclusive, supportive workplaces.

          NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim October 2011 as National Disability Employment Awareness Month. I urge all Americans to embrace the talents and skills that individuals with disabilities bring to our workplaces and communities and to promote the right to equal employment opportunity for all people.

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this third day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand eleven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-sixth.

BARACK OBAMA

Skills Inc. is urging everyone to consider ways to increase awareness about disabil­ity employment issues, as well as celebrate and recognize the contributions of Ameri­can workers with disabilities.  There are many ways to participate in and promote NDEAM.  Consider facilitating job shad­owing and mentoring a young adult or student with a disability from your com­munity.  If you want help, we are willing to provide employers with assistance iden­tifying potential mentees.  Please direct questions to Cheryl Roe at Cheryl@skillsinc.com.

Save the Date for Disability Mentoring Day: Wednesday, October 19, 2011

We can all play a role in making a differ­ence by promoting the employment of persons with disabilities.  Kathy Martinez, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Disabil­ity Employment Policy (ODEP), states on her blog, “Each of us can become a link for inclusion of individuals with disabilities on an individual, community or employer level.”  For more information, visit ODEP’s website at www.dol.gov/odep/.

2011 National Disability Employment Awareness Month Poster

We are excited to announce that our CEO, Todd Dunnington, has been appointed to the Seattle-King County Workforce Development Council (WDC) Board of Directors.  “The WDC is a nonprofit workforce ‘think tank’ and grant-making organization whose mission is to support a strong economy and ensure the ability of each person to achieve self-sufficiency.”  The purpose of the WDC is to bring employers, jobseekers, youth, educators, labor groups and other nonprofits together to find—and fund—solutions to workforce gaps.  As a social enterprise, Skills Inc. is interested in the economic and workforce development issues that impact our industry and the numerous stakeholders we serve in our community. 

To learn about the WDC visit their website at www.seakingwdc.org.