Jobs Matter for Those with Disabilities

Editor,

As we celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) this October, it’s critical to recognize the value individuals with disabilities bring to the workplace. Employers miss a great opportunity when they ignore and exclude us.

I’m fortunate and proud of my fulfilling path in competitive employment. My passion lies in empowering others with disabilities by showcasing that individuals with disabilities, like myself, are valuable assets in the workforce.

My employment journey began with a summer internship at Booz Allen Hamilton after high school. After completing my internship, I was offered a full-time job there and received full benefits. My employer had high expectations and acknowledged my contributions both in the workplace and community. This first work experience served as the catalyst for my 25-year employment and advocacy journey.

While we have made some progress, more must be done to help people with disabilities obtain competitive jobs. Low expectations about what our capability is are persistent barriers from opportunity and workplace inclusion.

I stand as living proof that the decision to hire individuals with disabilities yields positive results. “Hiring individuals with disabilities is a good business decision and a social responsibility,” I said to Congressional members in 2011 at the Senate Committee on Health Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP). More still needs to be done to advocate for employment opportunities, especially since the unemployment rate for people with disabilities is nearly twice that of people without.

Many people with differing abilities want to work, but no one can get a job simply by wishing for it. Opportunities must exist, but they won’t unless employers make an intentional effort to raise their expectations of what we can accomplish.

I am proud to say that all of my employers recognized my ability and included me. While some progress has been made to hire people with disabilities, there is more work that must be done. I ask all employers to open their doors to individuals with intellectual disabilities.

Hire us and include us in your environment. You will not regret it!

David Egan, Vienna, VA

20 MPH is Plenty if Drivers Follow Limits

Editor,

20 is plenty if wasting money on signs is what you think will make people slow down. Telling people to drive 20 mph in our neighborhoods is not enough. Cut through drivers already ignore our low speed limits. West Street where my son has to cross to get to Oak Street Elementary is supposed to be 25 mph, but drivers regularly fly over the hill by Madison Lane going 40! It is time to add speed bumps to West Street like they have in Fairfax just up the road. Other cut throughs like Parker and the roads around the school could also benefit from real speed reduction efforts given the school sent out an email begging people to drive slower around the kids in the morning. Let’s really address this issue rather than continuing to pretend that speed limit signs will slow speeders down.

-Mike Dolan, Falls Church, VA

Got Beef?

Send us a letter and let us know what you think. The deadline for Letters to the Editor is 5:00 p.m. Monday each week of publication. Letters should be 350 words or less.

• Email: letters@fcnp.com
• Mail: Letters to the Editor, c/o Falls Church News-Press, 105 N. Virginia Ave., #310, Falls Church, VA 22046