October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month.
Many years ago, I was offered tax incentives to hire a woman who was profoundly deaf. That experience, which you can read about in an earlier blog post, demonstrated that with a little accommodation, disabled persons can be excellent employees.
Not long after that, I had a stroke and became disabled myself. I continued to run my plant business for several years, and I have worked as a freelance writer and editor for nearly twenty years. I may not walk very well, but I don’t have any limitations on my job skills.
If you are in position to making hiring decisions, I hope you will educate yourself and give individual with disabilities a chance. If you have a disability, I hope you will follow your dreams to do the work you love.
The theme of this year’s observance is “My Disability is One Part of Who I Am.” In the video below, you will see people with disabilities describing themselves.