Well, October is almost gone. It's 2006, and we’ve had a project in our state for over a year now, a project devoted to creating markets for the skills of People With Disabilities. During the month, we had a press conference at one of Maine’s Career Centers announcing the movements of the project and the continuing efforts to meet the Governor’s Executive Order for Employment of People with Disabilities signed in February.

Mel Clarrage, of the Maine Jobs Council’s Commission on Employment of People with Disabilities hosted the conference and Laura Fortman, commissioner of Maine’s Department of Labor, delivered a proclamation by the Governor for National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

Commissioner Fortman spoke of the high unemployment rate among Maine’s population of people with disabilities, and spoke of the Governor’s resolve in 2004 that the high rate was unacceptable.

The crowd contained bureaucrats, agency officials, rehabilitation and career center personnel, and even some people with disabilities who had jobs! However, numbers of people with disabilities currently holding jobs around Maine and the nation remained stagnant, and a report issued this month also noted drops in employment among PWD in the Federal government. And, of course, the President made a national proclamation.

You can read that proclamation below!
Disability Mentoring Day was Oct. 18, this year sponsored by AAPD and the Social Security Administration. There were participants in Maine, in roles of mentors and mentees.
If you are looking for employment, good luck!

Be sure and read more articles regarding jobs and awareness month in this issue of AbilityMaine

During National Disability Employment Awareness Month, we pay tribute to the accomplishments of the men and women with disabilities whose work helps keep America's economy strong, and we underscore our commitment to ensuring equal employment opportunity for all of our citizens.

Our country has made great progress to ensure that opportunities are accessible to everyone who is willing and able to work. Access to jobs was significantly expanded in 1990 when President George H. W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) into law. This important legislation has served as a foundation for strengthening our Nation's workforce and advancing innovation and American leadership in a global marketplace.

In 2001, my Administration announced the New Freedom Initiative to build on the progress of the ADA and more fully integrate men and women with disabilities into all aspects of life. The New Freedom Initiative has helped expand access to technology, training, and education for citizens with disabilities. As a result, those who have a disability and seek employment are better able to compete for jobs. To assist in providing additional access to employment opportunities, we have also implemented the "Ticket to Work" program and strengthened training and employment services at One-Stop Career Centers. By visiting DisabilityInfo.gov, individuals and employers can learn more about the Federal Government's disability-related programs and receive information and resources they need to help achieve their personal and professional ambitions.

To recognize the contributions of Americans with disabilities and to encourage all citizens to ensure equal opportunity in the workforce, the Congress, by joint resolution approved as amended (36 U.S.C. 121), has designated October of each year as "National Disability Employment Awareness Month."

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim October 2006 as National Disability Employment

Awareness Month. I call upon Government officials, labor leaders, employers, and the people of the United States to observe this month with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this third day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand six, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-first.

GEORGE W. BUSH

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