Governor Ivey Announces Inaugural Governor’s Disability Job Fair

Governor Ivey Announces Inaugural Governor’s Disability Job Fair
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey tours United Ability in Birmingham, Ala., on Monday August 28, 2017. She visited two classrooms, which are included in the Governor's Office of School Readiness program. Gov. Ivey later announced the Governor's Inaugural Disability Job Fair, which will be held on Oct. 30, 2017 in Birmingham, as a joint partnership between several state agencies. (Governor's Office, Jamie Martin)

BIRMINGHAM – Governor Kay Ivey on Monday announced the Governor’s Inaugural Disability Job Fair will take place during National Disability Employment Awareness Month in October. Governor Ivey made the announcement at United Ability, formerly United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Birmingham, following a tour of their facility which provides a wide range of programs to assist children and adults living with disabilities.
“Since becoming Governor, I have made it my priority to increase employment opportunities for all Alabamians. The inaugural Governor’s Disability Job Fair is just the start of what I hope will continue bridging the gap between employers and individuals with disabilities,” Governor Ivey said. “When our state agencies work together, share resources and partner with the private sector to help connect businesses looking to hire with individuals actively seeking employment, Alabamians can rest assured we are doing our best to improve their quality of life.”
The first Governor’s Disability Job Fair will be held on October 30th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Bill Harris Arena in Birmingham. The job fair is being made possible by a joint partnership between United Ability and several state agencies including the Department of Labor, Department of Mental Health, Department of Rehabilitation Services and the Governor’s Office on Disability.
“We brought dozens of employers together last year for a Disability Employment Summit, and today’s announcement of the Governor’s Disability Job Fair is a direct result of that effort,” Secretary of the Alabama Department of Labor Fitzgerald Washington said. “Employers are ready and willing to offer opportunities to Alabamians living with a disability, and there are thousands of Alabamians ready and willing to do the work.  We’re here to help bring them together.”
According to a 2015 American Community Survey, 14.9 percent of Alabamians living with a disability, 21,283 individuals, are unemployed.
“The Governor’s Office on Disability is proud to be one of the partners supporting the first Governor’s Disability Job Fair. The unemployment rate of people with disabilities continues to remain unacceptably high,” Executive Director of the Governor’s Office on Disability Graham Sisson said. “This event will continue the state’s combined efforts to increase employment opportunities for those with significant disabilities. I applaud Governor Ivey’s leadership in this area.”
Employers and jobseekers can register online for the job fair at www.labor.alabama.gov/jobfair by selecting the “Governor’s Disability Job Fair” tab.
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Photo Gallery:
08-28-17 Disability Job Fair Announcement & Tour of United Ability

Provided by the Office of the Governor of Alabama | governor.alabama.gov