gcepd logo revised May 2011


ABILITIES

Promoting the employment of Vermont citizens of all abilities
October 2011 - Volume 5, Issue 3

Quick Links

 

Dear Friends ~ You are cordially invited!

 

April Tuck, Chair of the GCEPD
April Tuck, GCEPD Chair
 
      On behalf of the Governor's Committee on the Employment of People with Disabilities, I would like to welcome you to the latest issue of "Abilities".
 

    On October 26th the GCEPD, together with Saint Michael's College, will be sponsoring an engaging and inspiring afternoon symposium in recognition of national Disability Employment Awareness Month.  This event - called "The Art of Possibility - Living and Working with a Disability" - is free and open to the public; we would love to have you join us!  You will find more information about this event below.   

 

Thanks for reading on - and please feel free to share!

 

 

Best regards,  

April Tuck, Chair  
Governor's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities  



 

Join Our Mailing List!
In This Issue
Your Invitation to "The Art of Possibility - Living and Working with a Disability"
Creative Workforce Solutions hosts a Business Recognition Breakfast
Seeking New Members for the GCEPD
Story3  

The Art of Possibility - Living and Working with a Disability 
A free, engaging and inspiring afternoon symposium
October 26, 2011 - Saint Michael's College

 

 
When you hear the word "disability" - or meet a person with a disability - what comes to mind?

 

Perhaps you think limitation or inability. Maybe you feel sympathy or discomfort. Or, maybe you think capability, competence and contribution.

 

Our thoughts influence our sense of what is possible.   So what do you see as the possibilities for a successful, productive and empowered life and career for a person with a disability?

 

We invite you to a program dedicated to breaking down the barriers of the mind to unleash the art of possibility in all types of people.

 

Come engage your mind - and body - in a series of inspirational presentations and "hands on" physical activities - all designed to help you see and experience firsthand the real possibilities when it comes to living and working with a disability!
   
WHEN:  Wednesday, October 26th, 2011
   
TIME:  1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
   
WHERE:  Saint Michael's College, Colchester, Vermont
   
OUR PROGRAM:

 

 ~ 1:30 - 4:30 - Let's Get Physical!! - Come put yourself into the sport shoes of individuals with disabilities and see all that is possible in the world of sports.  Try out or observe handcycling, wheelchair basketball, power soccer, bocce ball, beep ball, and more in the Ross Sports Center / Tarrant Recreational Center field house
   
~ 1:30 - 4:30 - Exhibitors in the Tarrant Recreational Center lobby
   
~ 2:10 - 3:00 p.m. - "From Possibility to Reality:  The Benefits of Being a True Equal Opportunity Employer"                                           Pomerleau Alumni Center
- a panel presentation featuring Vermont employers and staffers from Copley Hospital, August First Bakery, Saint Michael's College and others sharing their stories.   
   
~ 3:10 - 4:15 - "The Voice of Possibility - Individuals with Disabilities share their Wisdom and Experience in Life and Work"                    Pomerleau Alumni Center
- a panel of professionals that includes:
Owen Milne, Development Director, Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility;
Ben Chater, attorney;
Cleary Buckley, architect;
Scott Goyette, Vermont Department of Labor;
Eric Rose, Director of IT, Vermont Country Store;
Ed Paquin, Executive Director, Disability Rights Vermont;
Chelsea Shaefer, School Counselor, Plattsburgh, NY.   

 

~ 4:15 - 4:30 - Closing remarks                                         Pomerleau Alumni Center

 

This event is free and open to the public.  For more information, see the flyer below or contact Melita DeBellis, GCEPD Executive Coordinator, 434-6600 or melita@gcepd.org.  

   

  

The Art of Possibility informational flyer  

Creative Workforce Solutions hosts a
Business Recognition Breakfast

 

On August 11th, 2011 approximately 50 businesses from Franklin and Grand Isle counties were recognized for their efforts to advance the employment of people with disabilities at a Business Recognition Breakfast held at One Federal Restaurant in St. Albans.   

 

The breakfast was hosted by the St. Albans district members of Creative Workforce Solutions (CWS) - an initiative of the Agency of Human Services- and its partners from the Vermont Department of Labor, VABIR, the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, the Department of Corrections, Vermont Adult Learning, and Northwestern Counseling and Support Services.

 

 

This was the third annual recognition breakfast held in St. Albans by the CWS team and the largest one yet with over 60 individual in attendance.  The purpose of the breakfast was to recognize those businesses that have partnered with CWS by offering employment, work experience, workplace tours, or other activities from the CWS menu of progressive employment options.

 

 

 

A wonderful time was had by all, as seen by these photos!  A big THANK YOU to all whose efforts were recognized.   


 

 

 

 

 

from left to right:  Annie Christoni, Cindy Sequin, Bonnie Hetrick, Nan Kolok, Jen Morin, and Gene Nuovo

Story4 
We Invite you to Join the GCEPD! 
 

    

GCEPD members Betty Nuovo, George Nostrand, April Tuck, Beth Stanuch

 

The GCEPD is currently recruiting new members - won't you join us in our efforts?  In particular we are seeking:  1) individuals with a disability or representing a disability community; 2) representatives of business, industry or nonprofits; and 3) individuals who provide services to people with disabilities.

 

Here is some background information as you consider potential membership:

 

The GCEPD is a permanent, standing committee of the Governor, established by the state legislature in the 1960s. Our mission is to promote equal employment for all citizens of Vermont by: (1) advising the Governor on current issues affecting the employment of people with disabilities, and (2) forming partnerships between business, government and people with disabilities.  The GCEPD's vision is "Barrier Free Employment for All Vermonters".

 

Membership of the GCEPD is comprised of 21 people.  Four members are mandated by the legislature to represent Vocational Rehabilitation, the Vermont Department of Labor, the Veterans Administration, and Veterans Employment.  The remaining members are divided rather equally among the three different groups referenced above. 

 

Members are appointed to a three year term and they may serve two complete, three-year terms.  They may also serve out the remaining term of any member they may be appointed to replace.  There is an application process which culminates in the consideration of applications and final appointment by Governor Shumlin. 

 

The GCEPD meets on the second Tuesday of every other month from 10 a.m. to noon, with most meetings taking place in Waterbury.  Members always have the option to participate via telephone if necessary.  Our next meetings are in August, October, and December of 2011.  Individuals considering membership must be able to attend the meetings.

 

Fred Jones, GCEPD Chair, and Betty Nuovo
GCEPD Chair Fred Jones
with Betty Nuovo   

If you are interesting in applying for membership or in learning more about the GCEPD and our current activities, please contact GCEPD Executive Coordinator Melita DeBellis at melita@gcepd.org or call 802-434-6600.

   

On a related note, we wish to publicly recognize long-time member Betty Nuovo for her service to the GCEPD representing the Department of Labor.  A member for over 15 years, Betty's devotion and service to the Committee, and more importantly to the individuals we seek to support, have been remarkable and invaluable.  She will be missed and we wish her well.   

   
Thanks for reading this issue of "Abilities".  We welcome your comments, feedback, and suggestions for future issues.  Copies of past issues may be found on our website - www.hireus.org, or in the Constant Contact archives.

Melita DeBellis,
Governor's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities