DENVER — Colorado has two job openings for every available worker, making October’s celebration of workers with disabilities more important than ever. Governor Jared Polis is bringing attention to this year’s observation of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) during the month of October by issuing a proclamation urging employers to make note of the “untapped talent resource” of skilled workers with disabilities.
“People with disabilities play an essential role in our economic success,” the governor states in the proclamation. “Employers know that hiring a diverse workforce, including people with disabilities, creates a culture of belonging for all of their talent and pays dividends back to the company and all of Colorado.”
This month marks the 50th anniversary of the U.S. Rehabilitation Act of 1973, a landmark piece of legislation that prohibited employment discrimination in federal hiring and paved the way for future laws banning disability discrimination in the broader economy and in public accommodations. The anniversary inspired this year’s theme of NDEAM, “Advancing Access and Equity: Then, Now, and Next.”
The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) within the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE), works tirelessly to advance workforce opportunities for Coloradans with disabilities.
Last fiscal year, DVR helped more than 3,000 students with disabilities statewide explore the world of work through the provision of Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS). This represents a 15.4% increase from the previous federal fiscal year.
“At CDLE, we value all perspectives from the diverse mix of lived experiences of our staff, including those of individuals with disabilities,” said DVR Director Kristin Corash. “On top of what we’re doing to support individuals with disabilities across Colorado, we’re making an impact within our agency in a variety of ways every month of the year. From our commitment to providing and executing digital accessibility best practices, to our affinity groups, to our disability hiring preference, we want to ensure we are being a model employer when it comes to prioritizing inclusivity.”
In addition to its services for workers with disabilities, DVR supports businesses to build more diverse workplaces by hiring workers with disabilities throughout the year. Employers can connect with a DVR Business Services team member to recruit candidates who are skilled, loyal, and committed to the success of the business. Employers can also receive federal tax credits through the Workforce Opportunity Tax Credit by hiring people from underrepresented groups including those with disabilities, veterans and others.
Workers, employers and partners across the state are encouraged to observe National Disability Employment Awareness Month by learning more about how they can make an impact through a variety of ways ranging from putting up a poster (English | Spanish), to something more comprehensive, such as implementing a disability education program.
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