October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) and the Virgin Islands University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (VIUCEDD) is observing it by providing workshops for both employers and employees with disabilities. The purpose of the workshops is to bring further awareness and education on the issue of employment and disability. Each two-hour session will have a presentation, networking opportunity and an extensive resource table.
The employer workshop will address such issues as the benefits of hiring people with disabilities, understanding reasonable accommodation and how to stay in compliancy with EEOC and the Americans with Disabilities Act requirements and tax breaks that help off-set the cost of accommodations. The workshop will be held from 9-11 a.m. for both islands. The St. Thomas workshop will be on Monday, Oct. 26, at the ACC Building, first floor conference room; the St. Croix workshop will be on Tuesday, Oct. 27, at the VIUCEDD office next to the UVI campus.
The employee (including job seekers) with disabilities will address such issues as reasonable accommodation, rights and responsibilities in the workplace, and discrimination procedures under the Americans with Disabilities Act. The workshop will be held from 1-3 p.m. on both islands. The St. Thomas workshop will be held on Oct. 26, at the ACC Building, first floor conference room; the St. Croix workshop will be held on Oct. 27, at the VIUCEDD office next to the UVI campus.
To register for the workshop and any disability accommodations, contact Shammi Carr, program coordinator (VIUCEDD) at 693-1173 or Diane Hampton, disabilities program navigator (VIDOL) at 778-0429. Participants are welcome to attend both workshops.
