Title
To recognize and celebrate October 2009 as National Disability Employment Awareness Month.
Body
WHEREAS, Public Law 176 was signed in 1945 to designate the first week in October as "National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week"; and
WHEREAS, in 1962, the word "physically" was removed from the week's name to recognize the employment needs of all Americans with disabilities; and
WHEREAS, Congress, in 1988, expanded the week to a month and changed its name to "National Disability Employment Awareness Month" (NDEA Month); and
WHEREAS, October has become the kick-off month for year-round programs that highlight the abilities and contributions of Americans with disabilities; and
WHEREAS, public, private and non-profit businesses and organizations join together this month to plan events and programs that showcase the abilities of employees and job candidates with disabilities; and
WHEREAS, the theme of this year's National Disability Employment Awareness Month, "Expectation + Opportunity-Full Participation", is designed to ensure, as a community and as a nation, that both people with disabilities and their employers expect that they will fully participate in our workplaces; and
WHEREAS, for the successes of the disability rights movement and the invaluable contributions to the communities of Columbus, all disability advocates are deserving of recognition and commendation; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That this Council does hereby recognize and celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month throughout October 2009.