house resolution no.357

Reps. Haadsma, Cherry, Garza, Hope, Kuppa, Liberati, Manoogian, Morse, Rabhi, Rogers, Sabo, Sneller, Steenland, Stone and Weiss offered the following resolution:

A resolution to declare October 2022 as Disability Employment Awareness Month in the state of Michigan.

Whereas, The percentage of adults with a disability in Michigan is 29% of the population or 1 in 3 adults and roughly 66.2% are unemployed; and

Whereas, People with disabilities in Michigan share with the rest of the state   s nearly 10 million residents the right to work in competitive integrated work environments with needed supports; and

Whereas, Disabled people make up the largest minority group in the world. Yet, our schools, businesses, government, and communities often fail to promote accessible, equitable, and inclusive solutions to reverse the plummeting unemployment rate for Michiganders with disabilities; and

Whereas, There are economic development and job growth efforts underway in the legislature and throughout Michigan, such as establishing the world   s first-ever inclusive and accessible film studio, built with disabled people in mind, implementing universal design; and

Whereas, Celebrating the abilities and contributions of people with disabilities can only serve to enrich the communities of Michigan and enhance our diversity; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body declare October 2022 as Disability Employment Awareness Month in the state of Michigan. We recognize the vital role people with disabilities play in making the nation's workforce diverse and inclusive.