Gov. John Bel Edwards proclaimed October as “Disability Employment Awareness Month” in Louisiana. In collaboration with Louisiana Workforce Commission and Families Helping Families, the Governor’s Office of Disability Affairs will be traveling the state on an Employment First Tour, beginning October 10 in Lafayette. This is an opportunity for the office to host roundtable discussions regarding the integrated, competitive employment for people with disabilities.

“Disability Employment Awareness Month is a great way to emphasize the importance of the contributions of persons with disabilities in moving Louisiana forward,” said Gov. Edwards. “Our businesses and communities can greatly benefit from the integrated, competitive employment of persons with disabilities.”

These roundtables will provide persons with disabilities the opportunity to connect with representatives from Louisiana Rehabilitative Services, Louisiana Workforce Commission, Human Service Districts/Authorities, local school district transition coordinators, support coordinators, supported employment providers, businesses, economic development agencies, self-advocates and other interested parties. Employment First is a national movement for competitive, integrated employment for individuals with disabilities.

“Employing people with disabilities is an economic development issue,” Bambi Polotzola, Executive Director of the Governor’s Office of Disability Affairs said. “The lack of workforce participation by individuals with disabilities is an untapped labor market.  We can and we will do better. We are working collaboratively across government agencies and with businesses throughout the state to improve employment opportunities and outcomes.”

The roundtables will be held in the following areas on these dates: 

Oct. 10

Lafayette

Heymann Convention Center, 1373 College Road

Oct. 12

Lake Charles

Lake Charles Civic Center, 900 Lakeshore Drive

Oct. 13

Monroe

Public Safety Center, 1810 Martin Luther King Jr Drive

Oct. 16

New Orleans

Xavier University, 1 Drexel Drive

Oct. 20

Convington

Northshore Pastoral Ctr, 4465 Hwy 190 E Service Road

Oct. 24

Gray

Terrebone Parish Library, 4130 W Park Avenue

Oct. 27

Pineville

Main Street Community Center, 708 Main Street

Oct. 31

Shreveport

Wyndham Garden Inn, 1419 East 70th Street

 

Click here to watch a message from the governor on Disability Employment Awareness Month.

Click here for more information on the Employment First Tour. 

To read the proclamation click here.