10/2/2007
Media Contact:
Angie Nussmeyer, Department of Metorpolitan Development, 327-6709
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Mayor kicks off national Disability Employment Awareness month
More than 300 job seekers, 40 businesses attend annual job fair
INDIANAPOLIS – Kicking off national Disability Employment Awareness month, Mayor Bart Peterson was joined by more than 300 job seekers, 40 employers and service providers at the Mayor's Summit on Inclusive Employment and Fifth Annual Job Fair.
"Sustained economic development relies on the efforts of employers to hire, develop and retain a diverse workforce," said Mayor Peterson. "The large number of businesses and job seekers with disabilities here with us today help to bridge the gap to provide for more accessible and inclusive employment."
This morning, more than 40 Marion County employers with more than 1,200 job openings were on hand to connect with job seekers with disabilities in an effort to tap into an underused labor pool. Participating employers included AT&T, AIT Laboratories, Senex, Steak n' Shake, WellPoint and Wishard Health Services. The Indianapolis Business Leadership Network and the Indianapolis Private Industry Council coordinated the job fair.
"More and more, employers believe that employees from different backgrounds, races, abilities and circumstances bring a variety of perspectives that improve their companies," said Joanne Joyce, president and chief executive officer of the Indianapolis Private Industry Council. "People with disabilities are among those diverse job seekers who can bring new ideas that help a business thrive."
Sponsored by WellPoint, the Mayor's Summit on Inclusive Employment was the focus of the afternoon's activities. Mayor Peterson was joined by Mark Boxer, President and CEO of WellPoint's Operations, Technology and Government Business Services Unit, and Joanne Joyce, president and CEO, Indianapolis Private Industry Council, at a luncheon during which businesses were encouraged to include people with disabilities in their recruiting and hiring practices and their diversity initiatives.
Erin Riehle, MSN, RN, a recognized authority and national leader in promoting employment opportunities for people with disabilities and other barriers to employment, was the final keynote speaker at the mayor's luncheon. She is a founder and senior director of Project SEARCH, an employment and transition program that has received national recognition for innovative practices pioneered under her guidance. HirePotential Indiana sponsored her appearance at today's summit.
During the afternoon, businesses and job seekers with disabilities participated in workshops designed to break down barriers that prevent inclusive employment. Employers learned about new assistive technology that can easily be used to accommodate people with disabilities in the workplace and job seekers were able to hone their interviewing and networking skills to be more successful in their job search.
"It's important that employers who are committed to a diverse workforce and persons with disabilities who have been successful in the workplace be able to share their experiences with a larger audience. I hope the participants leave here today inspired and ready to renew their commitment to inclusive employment," the mayor added.
Created in 2000, the Mayor's Office of Disability Affairs is charged with going above and beyond the fundamental requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act and to engage in partnerships both within and outside of city government in order to promote the full inclusion of people with disabilities in Indianapolis. As a result of citywide efforts, Indianapolis was recognized for the third year in a row by the National Organization on Disability as one of 10 nationwide models for creating and promoting an accessible and inclusive community.
For more information about the Mayor's Office of Disability Affairs or the Mayor's Advisory Council on Disability, please visit www.IndyGov.org/MACD. At the MACD home page, visitors also may sign up to receive updates from the advisory council.
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