LISBON – Columbiana County Educational Service Center is joining the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy in recognizing National Disability Employment Awareness Month, an annual awareness campaign that takes place each October. The purpose of National Disability Employment Awareness Month is to educate others about disability employment issues and celebrate the many and varied contributions of America’s workers with disabilities. This year’s theme is “Access to Good Jobs for All.”

The history of NDEAM traces back to 1945, when it started out to be a week long focus on people with physical disabilities. Later, it expanded to a full month, and its name and scope evolved to acknowledge the importance of increasing the workforce inclusion of people with all nature of disabilities.

“Our communities and economy are strengthened by the inclusion of all people, including people with disabilities,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Disability Employment Policy Taryn M. Williams. “Their contributions have historically been vital to our nation’s success and are more important today than ever. We must build an accessible, equitable economy that fully includes the talent and drive of those with disabilities.”

Reflecting this year’s theme, Columbiana County Educational Service Center would like to acknowledge the following community partners for their recent assistance in fostering our participant’s employment goals. They are as follows: Lisbon- CCESC main office, Opportunity School and Bus Garage, Italo’s and BrightPet Nutrition Group. East Liverpool- Calcutta Giant Eagle and Bradshaw Avenue Giant Eagle, Busy Beaver, Big Lots and the Calcutta YMCA.

Salem- Forever Safe Farm Animal Education Center, Marc’s, Giant Eagle, The Brightside Project, Big Reach Center of Hope, Brighton Hot Dog Shoppe, True Value, Reach for the STARS, Salem Golf Course, Ezio’s Italian Restaurant, CQL Manufacturing, Ort Furniture Manufacturing Company, Grace Woods Senior Living, and Salem Public Library. Columbiana- The Way Station, Columbiana Arts Theater, R’ Pizza Place, Columbiana Public Library and Small Wonders Day Care. Boardman- Giant Eagle, Marc’s, Walgreens, YMCA, and Once Upon a Child. Youngstown area- Michael Kusalaba Public Library, Belmont Giant Eagle, Canfield Giant Eagle, Small Wonders Day Care and Austintown Big Lots. Other locations include- All the Above in Negley, Fat Ted’s Diner in Washingtonville, Goodness Grows in North Lima, Canfield Small Wonders Day Care, United Local School District, and Utica Shale Academy in Salineville.

Employers and employees in all industries can learn more about how to participate in National Disability Employment Awareness Month and ways they can promote its messages during October and throughout the year by visiting dol.gov/NDEAM. Those who would like to partner with the Columbiana County Educational Service Center and ESC Work Solutions can call 330-424-9591 for more information.