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August 15, 2006

ENABLE AMERICA to host Community Connection Forum to promote awareness on the benefits of hiring people with disabilities.

Date: Monday, September 25, 2006
Time: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Registration: begins at 10:00 AM
Location: Marriott East Side Hotel, 525 Lexington Ave, NYC

HOSTED BY: ENABLE AMERICA
COORDINATED BY: Scott Hess (Barrier Free Living, Inc.)

Discussion Topics:

FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Seating limited. Lunch provided.

Enable America is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization created to eliminate the significant barriers to independent living, employment, civic involvement and social inclusion for Americans with disabilities, and empower citizens so they may become fully engaged in our economy, community and democracy.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL (813) 222-3299, EXT. 160 www.enableamerica.org

New York City - Seventy percent of working-age people with disabilities do not have jobs, but most want to work. Join Enable America as it makes a critical connection between local businesses looking for good employees and people with disabilities looking for good jobs. Local business leaders, lawmakers and service providers will come together to provide the resources needed to create opportunity.

“Good things happen when people have jobs,” said Enable America Founder Attorney Richard Salem, who is blind. At a time when the national unemployment rate is near historic lows and baby boomers are beginning to retire, there is a growing shortage of skilled and dedicated employees. The time is ripe for businesses to discover the benefits of hiring people with disabilities.

“Welcome to the 21st Century! Technology has opened a whole new world to people with disabilities, the likes of which business is not yet taking advantage of,” said Mr. Salem. The positive attitude, critical thinking skills, determination and retention rate for people with disabilities are all proven benefits of having these individuals in the workplace.

Statistics on Americans with disabilities:

  • 1 in 5 Americans has a disability;
  • 70% of working aged adults with disabilities want to work, that’s a potential job pool of 18-million people;

  • People with disabilities are 70% more likely to stay at a job five years or longer compared to able bodied workers; and

  • The government pays more than 230-billion dollars a year in disability benefits, which could be reduced if they were working and paying taxes.

Join Enable America for this inspirational event as you meet people with disabilities who are already amazing success stories in the business world. See incredible technology on display which is helping to level the playing field in the workplace for people with disabilities.

“It’s time to break down the barriers and build a bridge,” said Mr. Salem. The Community Connection Forum will provide one stop shopping to connect people with disabilities to the people who can provide jobs and services to make their dreams of working a reality. For more information you can call Enable America at 813-222-3212 or toll free at 1-877-ENABLED.

Posted by Nancy at August 15, 2006 01:03 PM

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