One of the events to mark the 80th anniversary of the National Disability Employment Awareness Month was the “Employment Summit” organized by the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation.
Except for Leone, public high schools students enrolled in the Special Education Program attended the summit, which was held last Wednesday at the DYWA Center in Tafuna.
The students got to view the myriads of available employment opportunities and learned how to access these opportunities.
Government and non-government organizations had booths displaying their services. They include Back on Track, Small Business Development Center, Special Education, Office of Protection and Advocacy, Arts Council, WIOA, Department of Agriculture, Department of Youth and Women’s Affairs, and Office of Vocational Rehabilitation.
Director of the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Adrian Vasai thanked all agencies, departments, and non-government organizations, who contributed to the Summit, as well as students, teachers, and parents who attended.
“Your presence and participation in this Employment Summit stridently demonstrate your concern about the lives of our people, particularly our children, struggling with disabilities,” said Vasai.
Dr. Catherine (Cayte) Anderson from the University of Wisconsin-Madison highlighted the power of partnership between employers, communities, and the public.
She discussed Vocational Rehabilitation’s (VR) vital role as both a social impact and workforce development program. Through a dual-customer model, Vocational Rehabilitation serves both individuals with disabilities and employers, helping businesses retain valuable workers, access skilled candidates, and create inclusive workplaces.
