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Woodbury Students Participated in New Jersey’s Disability Mentoring Day Job Shadowing Program- Individuals with Disabilities Connect with Professional Career Paths - November 7, 2007 (Trenton, NJ) – Nine Woodbury High School students were part of a group of more than 370 students who that took part in Disability Mentoring Day in New Jersey. The initiative is a collaborative effort between the New Jersey Business Leadership Network (www.njbln.org) at the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce; Allies, Inc.; Ability Market; and employers across the state. Participants spent the day exploring a variety of professional career paths with potential employers. These students were partnered with Rowan University by Allies, Inc., a non-profit organization that helps people with disabilities find places to live and places to work. Fifty-seven New Jersey-based companies volunteered to host participants during this year’s program. Disability Mentoring Day was established in 1999 by the White House and is a national effort to connect people with disabilities to the workplace. The Woodbury High School students who participated at Rowan University during Disability Mentoring Day were: • Steven Ireland – shadowed the Grounds staff in the Facilities Department • Byron Long – shadowed the Operations staff in the Facilities Department • Ashley North – shadowed the Grounds staff in the Facilities Department • Megan Moran - shadowed the staff in Dining Services • William Jones – met with the Associate Dean, staff, students of the College of Engineering • Mia Trieble - shadowed the staff in the Academic Success Center • Sparkle Jones - shadowed the staff in the Academic Success Center • Jasmin Holloway - shadowed the staff in the Academic Success Center • Adrian Bell – shadowed the Public Safety staff This year the New Jersey Business Leadership Network partnered with state and private agencies to match participants with workplace mentors based on the individual’s career interests. The participants experienced a typical day on the job and learned more about their possible future careers. Only in its second year in New Jersey, the number of individuals who participated in Disability Mentoring Day doubled over last year. “Disability Mentoring Day is designed to provide individuals who have disabilities with real-life career exploration,” said Dana Egreczky, President, New Jersey Business Leadership Network. “Our current competitive business environment requires employers to seek qualified workers and many people with disabilities possess such career qualifications. Many companies who have had successful disability recruitment campaigns have seen decreased healthcare costs, better attendance rates, increased productivity, and more diversified employee populations that better reflect the customers they serve. We are so proud of these students” Disability Mentoring Day is a program of the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD). Employers (private, non-profit, government, educational), people with disabilities, and educators participate in this annual program nationally. The New Jersey Business Leadership Network (NJ BLN) is an employer-led endeavor that promotes best employment practices and enhances competitive employment opportunities for skilled job candidates with disabilities. The New Jersey Business Leadership Network (NJ BLN) is a program of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce Foundation. ### Press contact AllyceHackmannTop of Page | Back to Headlines Hamilton Student Participated in New Jersey’s Disability Mentoring Day Job Shadowing Program- Individuals with Disabilities Connect with Professional Career Paths - November 7, 2007 (Trenton, NJ) – Ashley Crum, a resident of Hamilton, New Jersey was one of more than 370 students who that took part in Disability Mentoring Day in New Jersey. The initiative is a collaborative effort between the New Jersey Business Leadership Network (www.njbln.org) at the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce; Allies, Inc.; Ability Market; and; employers across the state. Participants like Ashley spent the day exploring a variety of professional career paths with potential employers. Ashley, a student at Kingsway Learning Center in Moorestown, New Jersey, was partnered with the New Jersey Department of Personnel by Allies, Inc., a non-profit organization that helps people with disabilities find paces to live and places to work. Fifty-seven New Jersey-based companies volunteered to host participants during this year’s program. Disability Mentoring Day was established in 1999 by the White House and is a national effort to connect people with disabilities to the workplace. This year the New Jersey Business Leadership Network partnered with state and private agencies to match participants with workplace mentors based on the individual’s career interests. The participants experienced a typical day on the job and learned more about their possible future careers. Only in its second year in New Jersey, the number of individuals who participated in Disability Mentoring Day doubled over last year. “Disability Mentoring Day is designed to provide individuals who have disabilities with real-life career exploration,” said Dana Egreczky, President, New Jersey Business Leadership Network. “Our current competitive business environment requires employers to seek qualified workers and many people with disabilities possess such career qualifications. Many companies who have had successful disability recruitment campaigns have seen decreased healthcare costs, better attendance rates, increased productivity, and more diversified employee populations that better reflect the customers they serve. We are so proud of students like Ashley.” Disability Mentoring Day is a program of the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD). Employers (private, non-profit, government, educational), people with disabilities, and educators participate in this annual program nationally. The New Jersey Business Leadership Network (NJ BLN) is an employer-led endeavor that promotes best employment practices and enhances competitive employment opportunities for skilled job candidates with disabilities. The New Jersey Business Leadership Network (NJ BLN) is a program of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce Foundation. ### Press contact AllyceHackmannTop of Page | Back to Headlines Cherry Hill Students Participated in New Jersey’s Disability Mentoring Day Job Shadowing Program- Individuals with Disabilities Connect with Professional Career Paths - November 7, 2007 (Trenton, NJ) – Nine Y.A.L.E. School students, of Cherry Hill, NJ, were part of a group of more than 370 students who that took part in Disability Mentoring Day in New Jersey. The initiative is a collaborative effort between the New Jersey Business Leadership Network (www.njbln.org) at the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce; Allies, Inc.; Ability Market; and employers across the state. Participants spent the day exploring a variety of professional career paths with potential employers. These students were partnered with Rowan University by Allies, Inc., a non-profit organization that helps people with disabilities find places to live and places to work. Fifty-seven New Jersey-based companies volunteered to host participants during this year’s program. Disability Mentoring Day was established in 1999 by the White House and is a national effort to connect people with disabilities to the workplace. The Y.A.L.E. School students who participated at Rowan University during Disability Mentoring Day were: • Greg Wineland - shadowed the staff in Dining Services • Tiffany Walker - shadowed the staff in Dining Services • Lauren Hill – shadowed the staff of the student radio stations WGLS • T.J. Rogers – shadowed the Public Safety staff • Lindsay Allen – shadowed the staff of the student radio stations WGLS • Stephanie Navarro – shadowed the staff of the Student Center • Jessica Albertson - shadowed the staff in the Bookstore • David Gault - shadowed the staff in the Bookstore This year the New Jersey Business Leadership Network partnered with state and private agencies to match participants with workplace mentors based on the individual’s career interests. The participants experienced a typical day on the job and learned more about their possible future careers. Only in its second year in New Jersey, the number of individuals who participated in Disability Mentoring Day doubled over last year. “Disability Mentoring Day is designed to provide individuals who have disabilities with real-life career exploration,” said Dana Egreczky, President, New Jersey Business Leadership Network. “Our current competitive business environment requires employers to seek qualified workers and many people with disabilities possess such career qualifications. Many companies who have had successful disability recruitment campaigns have seen decreased healthcare costs, better attendance rates, increased productivity, and more diversified employee populations that better reflect the customers they serve. We are so proud these of students.” Disability Mentoring Day is a program of the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD). Employers (private, non-profit, government, educational), people with disabilities, and educators participate in this annual program nationally. The New Jersey Business Leadership Network (NJ BLN) is an employer-led endeavor that promotes best employment practices and enhances competitive employment opportunities for skilled job candidates with disabilities. The New Jersey Business Leadership Network (NJ BLN) is a program of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce Foundation. ### Press contact AllyceHackmannTop of Page | Back to Headlines New Jersey Disability Mentoring Day Features Job Shadowing Program- Individuals with Disabilities Connect with Professional Career Paths - October 17, 2007 (Trenton, NJ) – Today more than 500 NJ people with disabilities, including students who will eventually enter the workforce and adults currently seeking employment, will partake in Disability Mentoring Day in New Jersey. The initiative is a collaborative effort between the New Jersey Business Leadership Network (www.njbln.org) at the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce; Allies, Inc.; Ability Market; and; employers across the state. Participants will have the opportunity to explore a variety of professional career paths with potential employers. The prospective candidates will spend the day shadowing a mentor in a field of interest to the individual. Numerous New Jersey-based companies volunteered to host participants during this year’s program. Disability Mentoring Day was established in 1999 by the White House and is a national effort to connect people with disabilities to the workplace. This year the New Jersey Business Leadership Network partnered with state and private agencies to match participants with workplace mentors based on the individual’s career interests. The participants experienced a typical day on the job and learned more about their possible future careers. Only in its second year in New Jersey, the number of individuals who participated in Disability Mentoring Day doubled over last year. “People with disabilities represent the single largest minority group seeking employment in today’s marketplace. Of concern is that the unemployment rate of people with disabilities is nearly ten times greater than the national unemployment rate,” stated Amy Mansue, Chair of the New Jersey Business Leadership Network and Children's Specialized Hospital President & CEO. In fact, according to the U. S. Census Bureau, about 30 million Americans between the ages of 16-64 have a disability. Of this number, only 18 million are currently employed. This leaves a 44.2% unemployment rate within the disability workforce; a strong contrast to the national unemployment rate of 4.7%. Disability Mentoring Day is designed to expose people with disabilities to career opportunities, while drawing national attention to the importance of hiring these individuals. This annual program also works to increase internship and employment opportunities for people with disabilities; promote their inclusion as a component of corporate recruitment efforts; dispel any employer hesitation about hiring such individuals; increase confidence among the participants themselves, and launch a year-round effort to foster mentoring opportunities. “Disability Mentoring Day is designed to provide individuals who have disabilities with real-life career exploration,” said Dana Egreczky, President, New Jersey Business Leadership Network. “Today’s competitive business environment requires employers to seek qualified workers and many disabled people possess such career qualifications. Many companies who have had successful disability recruitment campaigns have seen decreased healthcare costs, better attendance rates, increased productivity, and more diversified employee populations that better reflect the customers they serve.” Disability Mentoring Day is a program of the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD). Employers (private, non-profit, government, educational), people with disabilities, and educators participate in this annual program nationally. The New Jersey Business Leadership Network (NJ BLN) is an employer-led endeavor that promotes best employment practices and enhances competitive employment opportunities for skilled job candidates with disabilities. The New Jersey Business Leadership Network (NJ BLN) is a program of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce Foundation. ### Press contact AllyceHackmannTop of Page | Back to Headlines First New Jersey Governor’s Conference on Employment for People with DisabilitiesTRENTON— The New Jersey Department of Human Services’ (DHS) Division of Disability Services (DDS) hosted “DiscoverAbility, the First New Jersey Governor’s Conference on Employment for People with Disabilities,” at the Hyatt Regency, New Brunswick, on October 11 and 12. This conference, attended by 400 people, was presented as part of an ongoing public/private partnership that is focusing on the development of employment opportunities for people with disabilities. It was funded in part by a federal Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Comprehensive Employment Services Grant. “People with disabilities face barriers to employment that others simply may not face, beyond the fact that it is hard for them to find willing employers,” said DHS Commissioner Jennifer Velez, in delivering the welcoming remarks. “Government alone cannot fix this problem and employers alone cannot be the solution.” Commissioner Velez went on to say that there are many companies in New Jersey that employ people with disabilities and that government has a role too. She acknowledged the efforts of the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development and highlighted the efforts of DHS, including the New Jersey Workability program, which allows people who are working to keep their Medicaid benefits. Workability currently has 2,600 participants. The commissioner also described two DHS websites to help people with disabilities in work related travel and benefits planning, www.njfindaride.org, which provides people with a comprehensive overview of public and private transportation options; and, www.njdb101.org, which is an internet-based website that individuals can use to calculate pre- and post-employment Medicaid benefits. “And Governor Corzine’s budget for this year included $3.5 million dollars for the Personal Assistant Services Program, which provides personal care services to individuals who are now working or who are seeking work,” said Commissioner Velez. The conference also featured a keynote address by Ashley Lauren Fisher, a member of the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation’s Honorary Committee who raises awareness and funds for spinal cord research. Fisher, a former dancer, model, athlete and musician was rendered a quadriplegic at the age of 23 as a result of a diving accident eight years ago at the Jersey Shore. Fisher is co-owner of a four-star Italian restaurant, is opening her second restaurant and plans to pursue a career as an actress. Workshops on October 11th included: public employment, entrepreneurship, running small businesses, career preparation, business etiquette, anti-discrimination laws that protect the rights of individuals with disabilities, accommodations for people with disabilities; assistive technology, transportation, education and work-related training, transitioning from high school to adult life, employer needs and “hot” jobs of the future. The second day of the conference featured a Business Forum with the keynote address was presented by Katherine O. McCary, Vice President of Sun Trust Banks, Inc., where she is responsible for the Accessing Community Talent (ACT) Program, dedicated to increasing the employment of people with disabilities in Sun Trust’s workforce and increasing marketing opportunities for customers with disabilities. McCary is also President of the US Business Leadership Network, a national organization representing 5,000 businesses that work to educate employers on business and disability related concerns. The Business Forum included a panel discussion and a call to action for the business community. This Governor's Conference also formally launched the New Jersey Business Leadership Network (NJ BLN). NJ BLN is an employer-led endeavor that promotes best employment practices and enhances competitive employment opportunities for skilled job candidates with disabilities. NJ BLN is a program of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce Foundation. In addition, the conference showcased a new national job board dedicated to including employees with disabilities in today’s workforce. www.AccessibleEmployment.org is designed to provide employers with one central location to post employment positions and search resumes of qualified candidates with disabilities. Potential job candidates can post their resumes for review by prospective employers who have made a commitment to include people with disabilities in their workforce. Numerous New Jersey organizations are working in partnership with DHS to address the employment of people with disabilities; including, the New Jersey Departments of State; Labor and Workforce Development; Personnel; Education; Transportation; Community Affairs; the Employment and Training Commission and the Attorney General's Office. Public and state partnerships include: Rutgers University, John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development; NJ Transit, UMDNJ, Elizabeth M. Boggs Center for Developmental Disabilities; NJ Institute of Technology; NJ Chamber of Commerce; the Mental Health Association of NJ; SW Unlimited LLC; Neighbors, Inc.; The Henry H. Kessler Foundation; NJ Centers for Independent Living; NJ Work Incentive Network Support; JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute; Middlesex County, Department of Human Services; Statewide Parent Advocacy Network; ACCSES NJ; Christopher Reeve Foundation; COSAC; Cerebral Palsy of New Jersey; Epilepsy Foundation of New Jersey; Allies, Inc. and the NJ Council on Developmental Disabilities. ### Press contact AllyceHackmannTop of Page | Back to Headlines
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