LANSING — State Rep. Tim Sneller (D-Burton) introduced House Resolution 170 which was adopted by the House today declaring October 2017 as Disability Employment Awareness Month in the state of Michigan. Congress first designated a week in October to recognize disability employment awareness in 1945, and since then, that week has expanded into the entire month of October. This year’s theme is “Employment First for Michigan.”
“Every October for the past 70 years, America has come together to recognize and appreciate the many contributions that workers with disabilities make to our economy,” Rep. Sneller said. “It is critical that we continue this tradition by taking time this month to reflect on the value that workers with disabilities bring to our state’s economic wellbeing, and how these workers have enhanced our state’s workforce. It is an honor and a privilege to recognize their hard work, and I appreciate my colleagues’ bipartisan support of this important resolution.”
Disability Employment Awareness Month highlights disability employment issues and celebrates the various contributions of workers with disabilities. Only about 19 percent of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Michigan are employed. By promoting opportunities for citizens with disabilities and reinforcing the importance of businesses valuing the contributions that these employees can bring to their organizations, Michigan can further enrich its employment landscape.
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