To commemorate October being National Disability Employment Awareness Month, Gov. Ned Lamont is highlighting the resources available to Connecticut residents with disabilities to “ensure that people with disabilities have full access to employment and involvement in their communities.”
Among the resources available to persons with disabilities is Connecticut’s 10th Annual Disability Employment Resource Fair, which is taking place on Friday, Oct. 14th at the New Britain Senior Center. The event, co-hosted by the Connecticut Department of Labor and the Connecticut Department of Aging and Disability Services, will include employers from across the state who will provide information on job opportunities. There will also be additional information available on programs and services for individuals with disabilities.
“We are pleased to once again celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month and to shine a spotlight on inclusive employment opportunities and resources, raise awareness of disability employment issues as well as celebrate successes that happen as the result of persons with disabilities being included as part of the equity equation,” Connecticut Department of Aging and Disability Services Commissioner Amy Porter said.
While a recent review of disabled persons in the labor market by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) showed that the unemployment rates for disabled people improved, they still continue to lag behind people without disabilities. According to a BLS study released earlier this year, the unemployment rate for persons with disabilities was 10.1 percent in 2021, double the unemployment rate of 5.1 percent for people without disabilities.
In addition to Disability Employment Resource Fair, Gov. Lamont provided links to several other resources for persons with disabilities in a press release that can be found here.
“I am proud of the way that Connecticut has been a leader in protecting the rights of individuals with disabilities when it comes to employment issues and particularly proud of the many businesses throughout our state that makes every effort to include people of all abilities as valued members of their workforces,” Gov. Lamont said. “We are at our strongest when we include people of all abilities in our workplaces, and it benefits the entire economy to make sure opportunities and resources are available for everyone.”
