NEW YORK CITY IS CHOSEN AS NATIONAL LAUNCH CITY FOR 2004 DISABILITY MENTORING DAY
Sixth-Annual Disability Mentoring Day to be Commemorated
Around the Country on October 20
March 2004

For Immediate Release
Contact: Mariana V. Nork
(202) 457-0046

Washington, DC - The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), the country’s largest cross-disability membership organization, and the New York City Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD) have announced their partnership to nationally launch Disability Mentoring Day from New York City on October 20, 2004.

Matt Sapolin, Executive Director of MOPD, will serve as Chairperson of the Disability Mentoring Day Local Organizing Committee in New York City.

Disability Mentoring Day is a national program designed to provide students and job seekers with disabilities in every state across America a firsthand experience in learning about career opportunities in a variety of their chosen fields. Held the third Wednesday of every October, in conjunction with National Disability Employment Awareness Month, Disability Mentoring Day helps to promote the importance of encouraging students and job seekers to develop the necessary skills and experiences to compete in today's competitive workforce. For many people with disabilities, past participation in Disability Mentoring Day has translated into ongoing relationships, internships and firm job offers in a wide array of employment settings.

"More than 70% of people with disabilities wishing to work are unemployed,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “Leading up to this October 20 th, my administration, through critical partnerships with the private sector, will work to provide opportunities to job-seekers with disabilities that will help to increase their chances for career exploration and bridge the gap that exists between employers and qualified people with disabilities. New York City has the most creative and successful business leaders – I am confident that they will take full advantage of this highly-unique opportunity to tap into a valuable part of our workforce.”

Disability Mentoring Day has expanded from a small Washington, DC-based event for three dozen students to a national event with almost 7,000 mentees in every state and the District of Columbia, plus Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and 14 countries. Disability Mentoring Day is nationally supported by sponsorships received from major national corporations and a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP).

This year, AAPD is recognizing New York City’s commitment to people with disabilities and hopes that, with Mayor Bloomberg’s lead, local employers will be eager to demonstrate to the rest of the world that New York City strives to make its workforce mirror society.

“AAPD’s work and close cooperation with New York City as the national launch city of this year’s Disability Mentoring Day will bring unprecedented attention to this critical career-exploration program for people with disabilities,” explains Andrew Imparato, AAPD President and CEO. “We are grateful to Mayor Bloomberg and to Matt Sapolin for their demonstrated commitment to the expansion of Disability Mentoring Day in New York City and in communities around the country. New York City is a great place to send the message that hiring people with disabilities is good for business.”

Local corporate leaders and jobseekers with disabilities are encouraged to get involved in this year’s activities in New York City, which will be carried out over the course of the next eight months. MOPD will be announcing a list of events related to October 20th’s Disability Mentoring Day activities in New York City.

For more information about Disability Mentoring Day and its activities in New York City or for general information about the MOPD, contact Matthew Sapolin, Executive Director for the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities at: 212-788-2830. For more information about the American Association for People with Disabilities and the national Disability Mentoring Day program, contact Mariana Nork at 202-457-0046, x24, or by e-mail. The Mayor’s Offfice for People with Disabilities serves as a liaison between City government and disabled individuals and organizations representing or serving New Yorkers with disabilities. The Office works with City agencies to make sure that the particular needs of People with Disabilities are considered in the development of City policies, programs, and services. For more Information visit MOPD website or Contact: MOPD: Silvia Alvarez (212) 788-2958.

AAPD, the country’s largest cross-disability membership organization, promotes the economic and political empowerment of all 56 million children and adults with disabilities in the U.S. It was founded in 1995 to help unite the diverse community of people with disabilities, including their family, friends and supporters, and to be a national voice for change in implementing the goals of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

| Benefits | Info | Join | Other Sites | News | Feedback | Calendar | Home |