HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda 10-07-2025; 4-a - Disability Employment Awareness Month Proclamation 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: October 7, 2025
Action Agenda
Item No. 4-a
SUBJECT: Disability Employment Awareness Month Proclamation
DEPARTMENT: Human Resources
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Proclamation Brenda Bartholomew, Human Resources
Director, (919) 245-2552
PURPOSE: To approve a proclamation declaring October 2025 as Disability Employment
Awareness Month in Orange County.
BACKGROUND: October is recognized nationally as Disability Employment Awareness Month
and 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of this observance, which began in 1945 and has grown to
honor the contributions of individuals with all types of disabilities, including those with mental
health conditions and other non-apparent disabilities. Orange County affirms its commitment to
inclusion, opportunity, and respect for all people, and recognizes the ongoing importance of
expanding access to employment for individuals with disabilities and promoting inclusive practices
that ensure people with disabilities have equal access to good jobs and opportunities.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with approval of the proclamation
and recognition of Disability Employment Awareness Month.
ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PLAN: This item supports:
• GOAL 2: HEALTHY COMMUNITY
OBJECTIVE 5. Invest in, support, train and retain our community safety, health, and
emergency services employees and direct care workforce.
• GOAL 6: DIVERSE AND VIBRANT ECONOMY
OBJECTIVE 6. Provide workforce and business development resources to enhance the
skills of our workforce.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve the proclamation
designating October 2025 as Disability Employment Awareness Month and authorize the Chair to
sign the proclamation.
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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
PROCLAMATION
DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS MONTH
OCTOBER 2025
WHEREAS, October is recognized nationally as Disability Employment Awareness
Month; and
WHEREAS, 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of this observance, which began in 1945
with a focus on workers with physical disabilities and has since evolved to include the
contributions of individuals with all types of disabilities, including mental health conditions
and other nonapparent disabilities; and
WHEREAS, the purpose of Disability Employment Awareness Month is to educate the
public about disability employment issues while celebrating the many and varied
contributions of America's workers with disabilities; and
WHEREAS, this year's national theme, "Celebrating Value and Talent," highlights the
skills, perspectives, and achievements that workers with disabilities bring to our
workplaces and our economy; and
WHEREAS, Orange County recognizes the immense contributions of individuals with
disabilities and reaffirms its commitment to dignity, respect, inclusion, and opportunity for
all residents; and
WHEREAS, Orange County continues to work toward building an inclusive community,
increasing access to good jobs, and reinforcing the value and talent people with
disabilities contribute to our workplaces and communities;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of
Commissioners recognizes and commemorates the 80th anniversary of National
Disability Employment Awareness Month and declares October 2025 as Disability
Employment Awareness Month in Orange County; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability
Employment Policy and Orange County call upon employers, schools, and community
organizations to ensure that individuals with disabilities have meaningful access to good
jobs every month of every year; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of Commissioners pledges
to continue efforts to recruit, hire, retain, and advance individuals with disabilities and to
pursue the goals of opportunity, full participation, economic self-sufficiency, and
independent living for all people with disabilities.
This, the 7th day of October, 2025.
Jamezetta Bedford, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners