Commentary: Disability month focuses on an inclusive workforce

HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- Kim Selway, Foreign Military Sales Case Support Section branch chief, demonstrates how the eye glasses he uses improves his vision during a National Disability Employment Awareness Month lunch and learn at the Minuteman Commons Oct. 30. Throughout October a national campaign took place that raised awareness about disability employment issues and celebrated the many and varied contributions of America's workers with disabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Mark Wyatt)

Disability month focuses on an inclusive workforce

Published Oct. 31, 2012
By Edward Simonds
Hanscom National Disability Employment Awareness Month committee

HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- Today, more people with disabilities work for the federal government than at any time in the past 20 years, and we are striving to make it easier to get and keep those jobs by improving compliance with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act.

All Americans are entitled to an accessible workplace, a level playing field and the same privileges, pursuits and opportunities as any of their family, friends and neighbors. In October, we rededicated ourselves to bringing down barriers and raising up aspirations for all our people, regardless of disability, so we may share in a brighter future together.

The National Disability Employment Awareness committee held a lunch and learn at the Minuteman Commons Oct. 30 at 11:30 a.m. The guest speakers were made up of the Hanscom and local community. The members of this year's committee worked extremely hard, including Kim Selway, Foreign Military Sales Case Support Section chief and Maura Mazzocca, a member of the Burlington Disabled Access Commission, to make this year's observance a success.

The theme for National Disability Employment Awareness Month was "A Strong Workforce is an Inclusive Workforce: What Can You Do?" It is a time for our community at Hanscom to create an inclusive and supportive environment and to celebrate people with varying needs not only in October, but throughout the year.