Governor Deal Addresses Making Real Jobs and Real Employment Opportunities a Reality in the Fall MAD 2012

The following is the Governor's article from GCDD's Fall Making a Difference magazine.

Making Real Jobs and Real Employment Opportunities a Reality

By Georgia Governor Nathan Deal

To Georgia's Disability Community,

Since 1945, we have been celebrating National Disability Employment Awareness Month every October to raise awareness of and promote disability employment issues. In Georgia, let's not promote it, let's live it and make real jobs and real employment opportunities for citizens with disabilities a reality!

Those of us involved in Georgia's disability community know that real jobs and real employment opportunities are vitally important. In fact, I can't think of any other group other than the disability community for whom employment is a bigger issue. Good, secure employment is key to making a difference in an individual's life, as well as bringing the real communities concept to reality here in Georgia.

Throughout the State, we have made "Employment First" a guiding principle in state employment policy by focusing on integrated, community-based employment as the first option for citizens with disabilities. Success in bringing new employment opportunities to people with disabilities creates more economic freedom and empowers people to self-determine the course of their own lives.

We recognize that self-determination and meaningful employment are two leading predictors of successful, independent long-term living and a satisfying quality of life for people with disabilities. It starts long before anyone reaches working age; first and foremost, it starts with the expectations and attitudes of each individual, their families and their support community. It depends on things such as their collective belief in the importance of education, training, internships and finding early integrated employment opportunities to better prepare young people with disabilities for a competitive work environment as adults.

Georgia has hundreds and even thousands of success stories of people with disabilities going to work and earning a living every day – but it also takes great employers. Employers that use "people first thinking" to look for and focus on the abilities of people and the value that one individual can bring to their company.

The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) and a variety of state agencies have long worked with employers and advocated the inclusion of people with disabilities in the workplace across the State. In turn, the disability community has also been a strong advocate for meaningful employment programs and resources that provide employment opportunities and assistance to Georgians with disabilities.

Today, we are all working together to make "Employment First" a guiding principle to ensure real jobs and real employment is a reality throughout the State of Georgia.

In closing, please know that improving job opportunities and the quality of life for Georgians with disabilities takes your continuing advocacy, support and active involvement in your community. Please go to the polls on November 6th and vote.