|
Giving people a chance
Oct 08, 2009 (American News - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) --
Tony Utter knows the frustration of having someone think he's not good enough for a job.
"I had the right as much as anyone else did," said Utter, 34, of Aberdeen.
Now, he wants to make employers aware that they should not reject someone because he or she has a disability.
"Give them a chance," said Utter, a Mobridge native. "See what they can do."
Utter, who describes himself as a slow learner, is a new member of the Aberdeen Mayor's Advisory Committee for People With Disabilities.
Today, he and fellow committee members are sponsoring a National Disability Employment Awareness Month Luncheon. The event, part of a leadership development workshop, begins at 11:30 a.m. at the Ramada Convention Center, 2727 Sixth Ave. S.E.
The U.S. Census Bureau reports that almost 50 million Americans have a disability, according to the U.S. Labor Department's Office of Disability Employment Policy. Though the organization's Web site says statistics on how many people with disabilities are employed vary, it cited Census figures that put the number around 18.5 million people.
Utter has worked for four years cleaning Aberdeen Regional Airport. The best part of his job, he said: When he gets to work, he can start with whatever task he wants, and he can finish it on his own deadline.
"I'm ... my own boss when I'm at work," he said, smiling.
Part of Utter's duties with the Mayor's Advisory Committee for People With Disabilities will be providing input on barrier awareness and access for people with disabilities -- including making sure all sidewalk curbs are wheelchair-accessible.
He also wants to let people know that people with disabilities should not be put down. They are no different from anyone else, and they should have the right to do what anyone else can do.
"I believe anybody should be entitled to (apply for) any job," Utter said.
Online: Office of Disability Employment Policy, www.dol.gov/odep/
To see more of the American News, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to
http://www.aberdeennews.com. Copyright (c) 2009, American News, Aberdeen, S.D.
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email
tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax
to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave.,
Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.
[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
|
INDUSTRIES
Activate Email 
Find Solutions for Enterprises, SMBs & Service Providers at the INTERNET TELEPHONY Conference and EXPO East, January 20-22, 2010. Miami, FL.
