Walk-N-Roll

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Published on Friday, 19 October 2012 18:02

October 16, 2012 – Albertson, NY – Supporters of The Viscardi Center walked and rolled in celebration of National Disability Employment Awareness Month on Saturday, October 13. The funds raised from the event will help support the Center’s programs and services for children and adults with disabilities.

“National Disability Employment Awareness Month is a national campaign that raises awareness about disability employment issues and acknowledges the many and varied contributions of workers with disabilities,” said John D. Kemp, president and CEO of The Viscardi Center. “This is a subject everyone should be mindful of since the fact is anyone can become part of the disability community at any time, whether it is due to an accident, illness or aging.”

While the national unemployment rate fell to 7.8% in September, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate for people with disabilities was a staggering 13.5% - yet vastly underreported due to the means in which these figures are calculated by the BLS. The rate of unemployment for people with disabilities has been nearly double or higher than that of those without a disability for the past 13 months. Another eye-opening fact, people with disabilities who have the educational requirements to find rewarding and satisfying jobs continue to participate in the workforce at a lower rate than the general population according to the 2011 Current Population Survey (CPS) data “PERSONS WITH A DISABILITY: LABOR FORCE CHARACTERISTICS – 2011” release Table 1.

After an opening ceremony which included the singing of “God Bless America” by two students from the Henry Viscardi School, Keanu Resnick and Phillip Mayer, the participants trekked one mile around The Viscardi Center campus. Children, with and without disabilities, also took part in 50 meter races and enjoyed a hands-on Kid’s Corner featuring sand art, face painting, popcorn and cotton candy.

Nassau County Legislator Wayne H. Wink, Jr. and Rob Pipia, a graduate of the Henry Viscardi School and a candidate in the Nassau County District Court Judge, Second District election also attended the event.