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Governor Crist To Help Florida Kickoff Festivities For 2009 Disability Mentoring Day
Governor Charlie Crist served as Honorary Chair for Florida's festivities as part of Florida’s Disability Mentoring Day endeavor. Disability Mentoring Day is a nationally coordinated job shadowing opportunity for students and jobseekers with disabilities. Disability Mentoring Day was commemorated across the country on October 21, 2009, in honor of October: National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Participants are matched with professionals based on their career interests and spend the day with mentors observing job responsibilities and getting a better understanding of the work place environment. Disability Mentoring Day gives participants a chance to learn about the day-to-day responsibilities required of a desired occupation and the skills and education requirements specific to a job in that career field.
"I am pleased to once again serve as an honorary chair during this year's Disability Mentoring Day. I firmly believe that Floridians with disabilities are an important part of the Sunshine State's workforce and when people with disabilities want to work, they deserve to have that opportunity. I will continue to support and raise awareness for Floridians with disabilities to ensure they have every possible chance to succeed. I also applaud the hard work of The Able Trust and The Commission on Disabilities. They are tireless, everyday advocates who have been instrumental in prioritizing meaningful employment for Floridians with disabilities," said Governor Crist.
The Able Trust reported that 4,250 mentees and employer mentors took part in Disability Mentoring Day activities across the state of Florida this year, a growth of nearly 1,500 participants since last year! Florida leads the nation in mentoring opportunities through Disability Mentoring Day. The experience helps students and job-seekers with disabilities develop some of the necessary skills and experiences they'll need to compete in today's competitive workforce.
Across the nation, Disability Mentoring Day festivities began with a kickoff event that took place in Duluth, Minnesota, on October 12. In 2005 & 2007 AAPD tapped Florida for this endeavor, with former Governor Bush serving as honorary chair in 2005, and Governor Crist in 2007. The Florida DMD Kickoff Breakfast was held at the Tallahassee City Hall Mezzanine on Thursday, October 1, with The Able Trust kicking off mentoring month festivities. A video presentation prepared by Governor Crist was the centerpiece of the program and showed his administration’s support of Florida’s Citizens with Disabilities.
The Able Trust receives tremendous support from disability agencies and the business community in order to provide this innovative mentoring experience. Employers or organizations wishing to participate in a job shadowing experience for students with disabilities or interested in sponsoring the statewide program can contact The Able Trust at (888) 838-2253 or info@abletrust.org. Please visit the Florida Disability Mentoring Day website at www.floridadmd.org for more information.