October is Disability Employment Awareness Month

By Marian A. Maraya

Staff Reporter

Governor Pedro P. Tenorio signed yesterday a proclamation declaring October as Disability Employment Awareness Month in an effort to increase community consciousness on the plight of individuals with disabilities toward self-development.

For the first time, the month-long event will be slated in conjunction with local disability-oriented service to be highlighted by a series of public awareness activities.

Disability Employment Awareness Month is designed to correct misconception that people with disabilities are mere “liabilities” in the workplace, according to the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, the lead agency tasked to spearhead this year’s celebration.

“They also contribute to the economy of the CNMI because they also pay taxes, they also inject revenues to businesses since they patronize stores, spend money, pay their rents,” said OVR Director Tee Abraham.

The public awareness campaign is also eyed to eventually remove barriers that prevent families of individuals with disabilities from participating in community endeavors.

Ms. Abraham said the program’s main objective is geared toward establishing the whole CNMI as a place where persons with disabilities are accepted and commended for their ability to contribute to community building.

The campaign is also out to convince local business owners to get over misconceptions about hiring persons with disabilities.

“We try to emphasize to employers to please change their paradigm and forget about the disability. Don’t look at the person who’s seating in the wheelchair. Instead, look at the person and his/her abilities. A lot of these individuals are smart, they are very techno-minded. In fact, they have excellent computer skills,” said Ms. Abraham.

“There has got to be a change in perceptions. It’s hard but I think if we continue to encourage the public, we can see the day when persons with disabilities will have it better,” she added.

Over the years, people’s perceptions on disabilities and persons affected with it have slightly improved, according to Ms. Abraham.

Slowly, families are taking steps to include in social events members of their family who have certain physical or mental impairments.

“Before families tend to pamper their relatives with disabilities. They preferred that they stay at home. A lot of it has to do with shame. They don’t want to expose them to the public,” said Ms. Abraham.

Meanwhile, the governor, during the proclamation signing yesterday, commended local disability-oriented services for their continued efforts at providing services to individuals with disabilities.

Fora, seminars, and other related disability services have been lined up for the month-long celebration.