Columbus State University recognizes National Disability Employment Awareness Month

COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) — October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

In honor of this month, Columbus State University is doing its part in preparing students with “exceptionabilities” for the workforce.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, only 42% of adults with disabilities are part of the labor force.

Columbus State University’s Center for Accommodations and Access plans to raise that percentage by giving its students with disabilities an even playing field.

This includes access to more internships and creating pitches for networking opportunities. The center’s director explained why programs like these are essential for students.

“There’s definitely a lot more people that work with companies that have disabilities. A lot of disabilities employers may not even know that they have because they’re invisible,” said Sarah Secoy, CSU director of the Center for Accommodations and Access.

She added, “When people typically think of disabilities, they think physical disabilities or something they can see. But there are many people that have disabilities that may not even show up in the workplace.”

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that just last year, 7.6 million individuals with disabilities were employed — marking the highest number since 2008.