resolution
TO THE HONORABLE CHAIRPERSON AND MEMBERS OF THE GENESEE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:
WHEREAS, October is recognized nationally as National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), an annual observance recognizing the contributions of workers with disabilities and promoting meaningful employment opportunities for Americans with disabilities; and
WHEREAS, the history of National Disability Employment Awareness Month dates to 1945, when a national observance was established to recognize the contributions of Americans with physical disabilities, and in 1988 Congress expanded the observance to a full month; and
WHEREAS, the 2026 National Disability Employment Awareness Month theme is “Celebrating Value and Talent,” recognizing the skills, abilities, talents, and contributions that Americans with disabilities bring to workplaces, communities, and our Nation's economy; and
WHEREAS, Americans with disabilities have contributed significantly to every sector of American life, including manufacturing, government, education, health care, technology, science, agriculture, business, public service, the arts, and countless other fields; and
WHEREAS, meaningful employment provides individuals with economic opportunity, independence, dignity, purpose, and the ability to contribute fully to their families and communities; and
WHEREAS, employers benefit when they recognize and utilize the talents and abilities of qualified individuals with disabilities and create workplaces where employees can contribute to their fullest potential; and
WHEREAS, National Disability Employment Awareness Month recognizes individuals with both visible and nonapparent disabilities and promotes the importance of increasing access to meaningful employment opportunities; and
WHEREAS, Genesee County recognizes the value and talent of residents with disabilities and the important contributions they make as employees, entrepreneurs, business owners, volunteers, caregivers, community leaders, and public servants; and
WHEREAS, the County of Genesee recognizes the importance of equal opportunity, accessibility, removing unnecessary barriers to employment, and ensuring that qualified individuals with disabilities have the opportunity to participate fully in the workforce;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Genesee County Board of Commissioners hereby recognizes October 2026 as National Disability Employment Awareness Month in Genesee County; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board encourages employers, educational institutions, workforce-development organizations, and community leaders throughout Genesee County to recognize the abilities and contributions of workers with disabilities and to promote meaningful employment opportunities; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the County of Genesee recognizes and celebrates the value and talent of Americans with disabilities and reaffirms its commitment to opportunity, accessibility, dignity, economic self-sufficiency, and meaningful participation in the workforce.