LISBON – The Columbiana County Educational Service Center is joining the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy in recognizing National Disability Employment Awareness Month, an annual awareness campaign that takes place each October. The purpose of National Disability Employment Awareness Month is to bring attention to disability employment and celebrate the many and varied contributions of America’s workers with disabilities. This year’s theme is “Celebrating Value and Talent.”

The history of NDEAM traces back to 1945, when it began as a weeklong recognition of people with physical disabilities. Later, NDEAM was expanded to a full month and evolved to include all people with disabilities, including those with mental health conditions and other nonobvious disabilities, acknowledging the importance of increasing their access to employment.

Reflecting this year’s theme, Columbiana County Educational Service Center acknowledges the many community partners who have provided meaningful opportunities for participants to explore careers, build skills and achieve their employment goals. They are as follows: Calcutta – Giant Eagle, Big Lots; Columbiana – Dairy Queen Grill & Chill, Discount Drug Mart, The Way Station, Columbiana Arts Theater, Alkegen, R’ Pizza Place, Windsor House at Parkside; Greenford area – Angels for Animals, Big Reach Center of Hope; Salem – Giant Eagle, Goodwill, Salem Public Library, Salem Community Center, Reach for the STARS, Salem Regional Medical Center, Subway, Salem High School Food Service Department; Boardman – Davis Family YMCA, Giant Eagle (Doral and Boardman state Route 224), Gabe’s, Mr. Darby’s Vintage & Antiques, United Way Volunteer Resource Center, Walgreens; Youngstown area – Culturati Studios, Thrift & Thrive at the Farm, Goodwill (Youngstown, Liberty, Austintown), Center Street Technologies, Giant Eagle (Canfield, Belmont), Austintown Home Depot; other locations – Goodness Grows (North Lima), Utica Shale Academy (Salineville), NAPA Auto Parts (Carrollton).

Columbiana County Educational Service Center is proud to participate in this year’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month and to promote its message not only throughout October but all year long.

More information is available at dol.gov/NDEAM. Anyone who would like to work with the Columbiana County Educational Service Center and ESC Work Solutions should call 330-424-9591 for information.