Proclamations

Back to Proclamations

Proclamation Header Image

By virtue of the authority vested by the Constitution of Virginia in the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, there is hereby officially recognized:

Disability Employment Awareness Month

WHEREAS, there were nearly 492,000 working-age Virginians with disabilities in 2021; and, 

WHEREAS, 41 percent of working-age Virginians with disabilities are employed which indicates an underrepresentation of people with disabilities among the gainfully employed; and, 

WHEREAS, an estimated one in five Virginians will have a disability at some point in their lifetime, and Virginians with disabilities, including veterans, have the ability and desire to seek remunerative employment and to develop the skills they need to thrive; and, 

WHEREAS, the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services received a $9.2 million grant in 2021 from the Rehabilitation Services Administration to assist with employing at least 750 Virginians with disabilities in state, local or federal government and registered apprenticeships; and, 

WHEREAS, this year marks the 77th anniversary of National Disability Employment Awareness Month; and, 

WHEREAS, activities during this month will reinforce the value and talent people with disabilities add to our workplaces and communities and affirm Virginia’s commitment to an inclusive community; 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Glenn Youngkin, do hereby recognize October 2022 as DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS MONTH in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of our citizens.