Five local businesses recently were honored for their hiring practices regarding disabled workers.
The state Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services honored Sue’s Bunkeroo, Allegiance Industries, Select Staffing, Queen Street Deli and Harmony Hall Nursing and Rehabilitation Center with Disability Employment Awareness awards in October.
National Disability Employment Awareness Month, observed in October, has grown to include the recognition of disabled Americans who help make up the country’s workforce. In 1945, Congress authorized the first week of every October to be National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week. The timing of this event was certainly not coincidental being that World War II lasted from 1939 to 1945.
This event was intended to get employers’ attention of the real need to hire disabled individuals. The recognized week became an annual event until 1988, when Congress expanded the week into an entire month. Its new name then became the National Disability Employment Awareness Month.
Today, the National Disability Employment Awareness Month of October does far more than remind employers that a vital workforce of people with disabilities — veteran or not — is a useful asset in the workplace. It also recognizes and honors businesses that strive to employ disabled workers. Altogether, there are more than 50 million disabled Americans.
For additional information on how a business can be involved or how to utilize Vocational Rehabilitation to fill staffing needs, contact Gervasi at the Kinston office, 1003 Hardee Road, or call 252-522-5482.