LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
In 1945, Congress enacted Public Law 176, leading to the designation of October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month to recognize the enormous potential of individuals with disabilities and ensure their full integration into the workforce.
This month, we recognize their accomplishments and reaffirm our commitment to them, ensuring the opportunities of this great nation are available and accessible to every citizen.
According to Neil Romano, former assistant secretary of Labor for the Office of Disability Employment Policy, the theme "underscores the fact that every single person in this country has skills and talents to contribute to the workplace and every single person has an inherent right to work."
People with disabilities bring a unique, yet underrepresented perspective of diversity to the workplace. Mr. Romano emphasized the goal of removing obstacles that prevent Americans with disabilities from achieving their maximum potential as employees in a fully integrated workplace.
In the Air Force, individuals with disabilities are making important contributions in the workplace every day. Air Force-wide, people with disabilities represent 6.1 percent of the civilian workforce; and people with targeted disabilities (e.g. blindness, deafness, paralysis, and mental illness) are at 0.7 percent; however, the latter figure is well below the 2010 Department of Defense goal of two percent and continues a long-term decline.
The Langley Program for People with Disabilities is one of the 1st Fighter Wing's special emphasis programs that work with commanders, supervisors, and management officials to enhance the employment and advancement opportunities of people with disabilities.
The program does this by identifying and removing architectural barriers in the workplace; providing management recommendations on reasonable accommodations; and assisting, counseling, and identifying the needs and concerns of employees or applicants with disabilities.
The Langley PPD functions to ensure diversity and equal opportunity are prevalent in the civilian workforce.
Slowly, but surely, improvements are being made; however, more work still remains. As more people with disabilities join the workforce and employers realize their immense value, employment expectations and opportunities for persons with disabilities will begin to increase. To make sure this month's theme of "full participation" is realized, we must continue our efforts to enable Americans with disabilities to live and work with greater freedom.
For more information, call 764-8442.