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Fifteen Major Corporations Provide Sponsorship For Disability Mentoring Day (DMD)
Funding Makes it Possible for DMD to be Commemorated in Every State on October 15, 2003


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Mariana V. Nork
(202) 457-0046

(WASHINGTON, DC) October 6, 2003 - The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) announces that fifteen (15) national corporations are providing sponsorship for Disability Mentoring Day (DMD). To be commemorated on October 15, DMD provides job-shadowing and career exploration opportunities for students and job seekers with disabilities. AAPD is partnering with the U.S. Department of Labor Office (DOL) of Disability Employment Policy to host the fifth-annual Disability Mentoring Day.

"Employers explain that their lack of exposure to people with disabilities is one of the biggest barriers to hiring qualified disabled employees," says AAPD President and CEO Andrew J. Imparato. "DMD connects disabled students and job seekers with employers who work in a field of interest to them. This informal exposure is leading to internships, job offers, and a stronger connection between employers and potential employees with disabilities - this ultimately leads to a more diverse workforce and more directed and motivated students and job seekers with disabilities."

DMD has expanded from a small DC-based event for three dozen students, to a national event with a rapidly growing network of volunteer Local Coordinators all across the country and almost 4,000 mentees. In its role as National Host, AAPD recruits volunteer Local Coordinators in various regions in every state, promotes the event nationally, and provides resource materials and technical assistance to its substantial corps of participating volunteers

In addition to DOL, which is the National Public Sponsor, these National Corporate Sponsors are playing a significant role in making DMD a truly effective public-private partnership. Through their support, they are helping to tackle the longstanding problem of unemployment and underemployment among people with disabilities:

2003 DMD Lead National Corporate Sponsors:

2003 DMD National Corporate Sponsors:

"Economic empowerment is at the heart of civil rights for people with disabilities," adds Imparato. "By building relationships between students with disabilities and mentors, Disability Mentoring Day helps to create a pipeline of qualified workers for participating employers and gives disabled students greater direction and motivation to pursue their career goals. We applaud and thank these 2003 National Corporate Sponsors for embracing and helping to further this important national mentoring program."

AAPD encourages employers, educators, disability advocates, parents, and students and job seekers with disabilities to get involved with Disability Mentoring Day in their area. For further information regarding DMD involvement, contact AAPD at 800-840-8844, or by email, or visit the AAPD website.

The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), the country's largest cross-disability membership organization, promotes the economic and political empowerment of all 56 million children and adults with disabilities in the U.S. It was founded in 1995 to help unite the diverse community of people with disabilities, including their family, friends and supporters, and to be a national voice for change in implementing the goals of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). AAPD members have access to a full range of financial services through a federal credit union, a discounted mail order prescription program, and a quarterly AAPD newsletter. For additional member benefits, or to learn more about AAPD's advocacy efforts and major program areas, visit the AAPD website