Mosaic celebrates Disability Employment Awareness in October

11141 Aurora Avenue Urbandale, IA 50322 Phone: 515-246-1840 Fax: 515-246-8236 www.mosaicindesmoines.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Leah Shields, Public Relations Specialist 515-246-1840 or leah.shields@mosaicinfo.org

DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS MONTH RECOGNIZES VITAL ROLE OF EMPLOYEES AND EMPLOYERS

Des Moines, Iowa – In October Mosaic invites the greater Des Moines area to observe National Disability Employment Awareness Month by paying tribute to the accomplishments of the men and women with disabilities whose work helps keep our community’s economy strong and by reaffirming their employer’s commitment to ensure equal opportunity for all citizens.

Throughout the month many events are held across the country to recognize individuals with disabilities as contributors and the employers who recognize the importance of full inclusion in the workplace. Communities hold special events, civic organizations welcome guest speakers to discuss equal employment opportunities, and service providers like Mosaic will host activities and events to show their appreciation of their local businesses who employ individuals with disabilities.

This effort to educate the public about the issues related to disability and employment began in 1945 when Congress enacted Public Law 176, declaring the first week of October each year as 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. Some 25 years later, Congress expanded the week to a month and changed the name to National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

“People with disabilities must be woven into our work culture. Already, we benefit from the incredible array of talent they bring to our workplaces. But we must raise the bar, we must create the inexorable expectation that people with disabilities will contribute in every way to our economic successes. Only by nurturing this expectation and providing people with disabilities with unlimited employment opportunities, can we all benefit from their talents.” – Kathy Martinez, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Disability Employment.

Mosaic in Des Moines invites you to join us for lunch and learn more about our mission to serve adults with intellectual disabilities! RSVP to 515-868-0623 or leah.shields@mosaicinfo.org for one of our one-hour Discover the Possibilities lunch tours:

Wednesday, October 1st at 11:30 a.m. (11141 Aurora Avenue, Bldg 3 in Urbandale)

Thursday, October 2nd at 11:30 a.m. (11141 Aurora Avenue, Bldg 3 in Urbandale)

Friday, October 10th at 11:30 a.m. (2655 Easton Blvd in Des Moines)

ABOUT MOSAIC
Mosaic provides a life of possibilities for people with intellectual disabilities through supports which
are tailored to the individual’s needs and desires. We support people to define their own happiness.
We ask people how they like to spend their day, what they love to do in their spare time, where they
want to live and goals they would like to achieve. Then we partner with them to make those things
happen. These services are provided in collaboration with local, state, national, and international
partners in 10 states. Mosaic is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization.
For more information, visit www.mosaicinfo.org.
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