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For Immediate Release:
October 5, 2009

For Information, Contact:
Pam Ronan, 609-292-3703

TRENTON - The New Jersey Department of Human Services today announced that registration is now closed for a free employment conference for individuals with disabilities that will be held later this month. There are 350 participants who have registered for this conference, which will provide resources that can help people with disabilities enter the job market, learn useful job-hunting skills, explore employment options and network with employers.DiscoverAbility NJ
2009 Employment Conference for People with DisabilitiesOctober 20, 2009
9:00 a.m. opening remarks - 4:00 p.m.Hyatt Regency New Brunswick
2 Albany Street
New Brunswick, NJ 08901This conference will feature workshop topics on entrepreneurship; job-search resources; working while maintaining disability benefits; preparing for employment, including tips on interviewing for jobs in the performing or visual arts; using technology; transportation options; and educational and training programs, including a lab assistant program for people who are interested in science related careers.  Several workshops will be presented for parents of young people with disabilities who are preparing for life after high school.  Conference participants also may sample a variety of types of assistive technology.

Featured guests include Nick Gacos, an entrepreneur and business owner who is blind. Mr. Gacos also is the national chair of the Blind Vendors Association of America and is appointed by Governor Jon S. Corzine to serve on the State Employment and Training Commission. Also attending are Kelly Rouba, a former Ms. Wheelchair NJ, who is an author, freelance reporter and an activist for Juvenile Arthritis Research; and Sherlock Washington, who is blind and is the founder and CEO of a company that sells assistive technology. He is a mentor to teens who are blind and is a member of the 2009 World Champion Beep Baseball Team, competing in the Para-Olympics.

“DiscoverAbility is one of our most successful multi-departmental initiatives,” said Governor Jon S. Corzine. “New Jersey has a diverse and capable population of people with disabilities eager to be part of a work environment. We want to raise awareness and pique interest among the business community.”

DHS Commissioner Jennifer Velez will provide opening remarks. “State agencies, disability organizations, advocates and family members continue working together to develop ways to improve opportunities for people with disabilities in the workforce,” said Commissioner Velez. “This administration’s goal is to support people in their efforts to obtain and maintain gainful employment.”

Visit http://www.state.nj.us/humanservices/dds/projects/discoverability/ for more information. This conference is paid for by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services CFDA 93.768, Medicaid Infrastructure Grant.  

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