ECHO Joins Broad Effort to Observe National Disability Employment Awareness Month
ECHO Joins Broad Effort to Observe National Disability Employment Awareness Month; Nationwide Campaign Taking Place in October
Leesburg, Virginia — October 11, 2019 — ECHO has announced its participation in National Disability Employment Awareness Month, an annual awareness campaign that takes place each October. The purpose of National Disability Employment Awareness Month is to educate about disability employment issues and celebrate the many and varied contributions of America’s workers with disabilities. This year’s theme is “The Right Talent, Right Now”.
The history of National Disability Employment Awareness Month traces back to 1945 when Congress enacted a law declaring the first week in October each year “National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week.” In 1962, the word “physically” was removed to acknowledge the employment needs and contributions of individuals with all types of disabilities. In 1988, Congress expanded the week to a month and changed the name to National Disability Employment Awareness Month.
“Every day, individuals with disabilities add significant value and talent to our workforce and economy,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta. “Individuals with disabilities offer employers diverse perspectives on how to tackle challenges and achieve success. Individuals with disabilities have the right talent, right now.”
For nearly 45 year ECHO has provided skill building, job placement, day support and transportation to individuals with disabilities. Customized employment contracts include Dishwashing & Restaurant Services; Packaging & Kitting; Sorting & Tagging, Grounds Maintenance, and Individual Supported Employment. ECHO’s business partners enjoy increased competitiveness and low turnover, with a flexible and reliable contingent workforce; strategic positioning, with a visible commitment to corporate citizenship; increased morale, with a brightened work environment; and, ECHO handles Human Resources and hiring, training, quality control and team management.
“ECHO is proud to contribute to the employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Experiencing the dignity of a paycheck is something people with disabilities do not take for granted and we’re delighted to be able to help facilitate that feeling every day”, said ECHO CEO Paul Donohue, Jr.
ECHO is grateful to the numerous business partners who employ our participants: Compass USA; CIS Secure Computing; Federal Aviation Administration; Janelia Research Campus of the Howard Hughes Institute; INOVA Hospitals; Loudoun County Public Schools; Stryker Spine (formerly K2M); REHAU Americas; River-Sea Chocolates; U.S. Department of Transportation, Eastern Federal Lands Highway Division; Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties; MAC Aerospace, and; Salvation Army.
Please contact Lana Heaslip at (571) 707-8245 or [email protected] for information on ECHO’s group and individual supported employment partnerships. ECHO is proud to be a part of this year’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month. We want to spread the important message that we value all perspectives, including those of individuals with disabilities.
