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Gov. Rick Scott: More Than 44,000 Persons with Disabilities Placed Into Jobs

Jul 24, 2015

Florida Celebrates 25th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act

 
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Today, Governor Rick Scott announced that since 2011, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity and its partner CareerSource Florida have connected 44,179 individuals with disabilities with job opportunities. Governor Scott also issued a proclamation recognizing July 26th as Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Awareness Day.
 
Governor Scott said, “We have made important investments to help people with disabilities receive on-the-job training and internships, as well as eliminate the wait list for individuals with critical needs for two years in a row. More than 44,000 individuals with disabilities have found jobs in Florida over the past four years, and we will keep working to create more opportunities for everyone in our state to succeed. I am honored to recognize July 26th as Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Awareness Day.”
 
Agency for Persons with Disabilities Director Barbara Palmer said, “I am excited about celebrating 25 years of the Americans with Disabilities Act in America.  So many wonderful changes have occurred because of the ADA to help individuals with disabilities be included in all aspects of society. This is a fantastic opportunity to recognize the many positives things that have happened to improve access for people with disabilities.”
 
Jesse Panuccio, Executive Director of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity said, "Every Floridian who wants a job should be able to get a job, and we are committed to helping those individuals with disabilities find a job that is perfect for them. Gainful employment affirms the inherent worth of an individual, and it allows individuals with disabilities to gain new relationships and new skills, and to show the world that a disability is not a barrier to their career."
 
Governor Scott issued the following proclamation:
 
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) AWARENESS DAY IN FLORIDA
~ Florida Celebrates 25th Anniversary of the ADA ~
 
WHEREAS, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law on July 26, 1990 – with the final major provisions becoming effective on July 26, 1992 – to ensure the civil rights of citizens with disabilities by providing for the elimination of discrimination against individuals with disabilities in access to employment, transportation, telecommunications, state and local services, and public accommodations; and
 
WHEREAS, numerous organizations and advocates throughout Florida work with constituents and the community to bring forth the promises of hope and freedom that were envisioned by the passage of the ADA; and
 
WHEREAS, more than three million Floridians live daily with some form of physical or mental disability, and the State of Florida affirms the principles of equality and inclusion for persons with disabilities as set forth in the State of Florida’s Constitution, Article I, Section 2, and is embodied in the ADA and laws of the State of Florida; and
 
WHEREAS, each October Florida observes Disability Employment Awareness Month, honoring employers with a history of hiring people with disabilities, and highlighting the workplace achievements of individuals with disabilities; and
 
WHEREAS, Florida’s growing economy and mission to be the global leader for businesses and job creation is essential to providing opportunities for persons with disabilities to live, work, and participate in their local communities; and
 
WHEREAS, the State of Florida has provided $56 million over the past three years to provide increased access to services to more than 2,800 individuals with disabilities who previously were not receiving community services; and
 
WHEREAS, Florida has become the first state in the nation to guarantee children with developmental disabilities of active duty service members the chance to receive services when their parents are transferred to Florida if they were receiving services in another state; and
 
WHEREAS, July 26, 2015, is the 25th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and on July 24, 2015, the State of Florida will celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act with a Celebrate Independence March and ADA Celebration event in Tallahassee;
 
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Rick Scott, Governor of the State of Florida, do hereby extend greetings and best wishes to all observing July 26, 2015, as Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Awareness Day in Florida.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Florida to be affixed at Tallahassee, the Capital, this seventh day of July, in the year two thousand fifteen.
 
Governor
 
 
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