Governor Heralds Business Benefits Of Hiring People With Disabilities

Posted Monday, September 18, 2006

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ATLANTA, GA (September 14, 2006)—In a letter addressed to Georgia Business leaders Governor Sonny Perdue heralds an opportunity to generate economic vitality into communities while positively impacting business goals and objectives. Perdue invited the private sector community to attend the Governor’s Council On Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) 2006 Making A Difference Discovery Day, an executive briefing and luncheon designed to expose business leaders to the benefits of tapping into one of the largest pools of reliable workers available…people with disabilities.

“We are pleased that corporations such as our major sponsors, The Home Depot, Southern Company and Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG), realize the value of exposing the business community to the opportunities that exist for them when they consider hiring people with disabilities,” said GCDD Executive Director, Eric Jacobson.

More than 75 corporate executives and business owners are expected to join the Governor, GCDD and Making A Difference Discovery Day sponsors for a half-day of interactive multi-media presentations, Thursday, September 21, 8:30 AM to 1:30 PM, at The Home Depot corporate headquarters, 2455 Paces Ferry Road.

The unemployment rate for citizens with disabilities is a staggering 70 percent. According to Governor Perdue the solution to spiraling unemployment for people with disabilities is for business leaders to help unleash the potential of thousands of these capable Georgians by hiring them. “The event will demonstrate how the private sector benefits when it is willing to recruit and employ the talents, gifts and skills of persons with disabilities,” Governor Perdue said.

Bobbie Battista former CNN anchor is guest moderator of the event that will clearly state the case for win-win solutions in building community and business capacity. Neil Romano member of The President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities and founder of America’s Strength Foundation will deliver the morning keynote. Romano is considered among the nation’s leading authorities in the field of media and public advocacy. In 2003 Romano founded America’s Strength Foundation, a private organization designed to help people with disabilities find mainstream employment, “not on a basis of charity but because it is good business.”

Among Discovery Day presenters is Al Blackwelder, Emory Crawford Long Hospital Chief Operating Officer who will share his experience of surprising levels of increased productivity at the hospital due to an innovative program, Project Search, which is slated to be duplicated in a variety of work settings throughout Georgia and the nation.

The University of Georgia Jobs For All Program, The University of Tennessee Career Opportunities for Students with Disabilities (COSD) National Registry, Georgia Business League Network (GaBLN) and Sun Trust Bank will be among organizations represented in panel discussions on successful employment models and best practices.

US Paralympics 2006 Alpine ski team member, Ralph Green; a participant in the Home Depot Olympic Job Program, will deliver the luncheon keynote address. Green who’s left-leg was amputated from the hip as a teenager, before he got his first taste of international ski racing competition in 2004. His story of resolve and successful achievement in reaching the Torino, Italy Paralympics games was featured in Ski Racing magazine and on ESPN in 2005 and 2006. Green’s message will focus on the power of individual ability rather than perceived limitations.

Since 1971, the Governor’s Council On Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) has been a powerful advocate for the more than 120,000 Georgians with developmental disabilities and their families. The GCDD collaborates with citizens, public and private advocacy organizations, and policymakers to positively influence public policies that enhance their quality of life in our communities.

The Governor’s Council On Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) sponsors Making A Difference Discovery Day annually to connect the private sector with resources that will foster career opportunities for people with disabilities while contributing to sound business practices and objectives.

Sourece AltlantaDaybook.com

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