National Awareness Highlights Talents, Skills and Dedication

Able-bodied and disabled group members of Dancing Wheels perform dance techniques to illustrate the elegance and diversity of dance.

Goddard Space Flight Center in coordination with our Nation is recognizing October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month. A performance by the amazing Ohio dance troupe Dancing Wheels began a month of activities. Other activities included Volunteers for Medical Engineering, a retired group of engineers who develop innovative solutions for people with disabilities, and a presentation by speaker Shannon Stapleton, of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society who spoke about how to live with a disability.

This year marks the 12th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). Written within a proclamation signed October 1, 2002 by current President Bush, "The ADA helps disabled persons to participate more fully in our society; and it has opened doors for countless American, removing barriers, improving employment opportunities, expanding government services, and regulating accommodations, transportation, and telecommunications."

Each month at Goddard the Advisory Committee for People with Disabilities, chaired by Jennell Dewitt and assisted by Michael Hartman, People with Disabilities Program Manager, meet with other Goddard representatives to discuss recognition of and probable solutions for eliminating barriers within the Goddard community. The committee has also been instrumental in the development of Rehabilitation Act and Disability Awareness training to Goddard.

"All of our citizens should have the opportunity to live and work with dignity and freedom," stated President Bush in his proclamation. "We recognize the talents, skills, and dedication of disabled Americans who are a vital part of our workforce, the President added. "During this month we reaffirm our commitment to enable people with disabilities who want to work receive the training they need to achieve their goal," the President concluded.

Photo by Chris Gunn/293