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WHEREAS, Orange County is committed to taking all steps necessary for the full integration <br />of people with disabilities into our community; and <br />WHEREAS, The Orange County Disability Awareness Council works to promote <br />opportunities for disabled citizens to work and live in an environment free of <br />barriers imposed by architecture, attitude, and/or lack of opportunity; and <br />WHEREAS, Through the use of assistive technology, people with disabilities can gain equal <br />access to employment; and <br />WHEREAS, Orange County is proud to be a participant in the American Disability Act (ADA) <br />which will celebrate its eleventh anniversary this year. <br />NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br />do hereby proclaim May 1-7, 2001 as <br />NATIONAL DISABILITY AWARENESS WEEK in Orange County and urge our citizens to become <br />more aware of the needs, capabilities and hopes of people with disabilities. <br />VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br />Commissioner Carey asked a member of the Council to come forward and speak about <br />how the services available to persons with disabilities have changed in the County since the group <br />has moved to the Orange County Skills Development Center on Franklin Street. <br />Tim Miles said that this was the 1 Ot" year that the Council has held the American <br />Disabilities Act and awards ceremony. Each year Orange County has had local winners to go to the <br />state awards Governor's ceremony. <br />Jeffrey Starkweather, a member of the Disability Awareness Council (DAC), said that since <br />the Council has moved to the Skills Development Center, there has been an increased demand for <br />services. He made reference to the letter that was distributed and the budget request. He said that <br />up to this point, the DAC has been strictly a volunteer organization. The DAC is going to try to <br />develop four programs this year and is asking for funds to hire apart-time person who will look for <br />grant funding to support these programs. He summarized the four programs and told why there is a <br />need for these programs in Orange County. <br />Frank Aber, a member of the Council, spoke about the employment career counseling and <br />placement one-stop service. This is one of the programs that will be implemented this year. The goal <br />of this program is to have aone-stop facility where anyone with a disability could come and feel more <br />comfortable working with someone who also has a disability. <br />Jenny Wilson, a member of the Council, said that the DAC had just received 12 computers <br />from IBM. They have also worked very hard to get accessible software for the Skills Development <br />Center. She spoke about the importance of persons with disabilities working with other persons with <br />disabilities. She requested that the County Commissioners consider funding their request. <br />Commissioner Jacobs asked about their experience in trying to place persons with <br />disabilities as employees with the County. Tim Miles said that he has applied for several positions <br />with the County but has never received a response. An advantage of their program is that interested <br />applicants can put information online. <br />Commissioner Jacobs encouraged Tim Miles to work with the County's Personnel Director <br />Elaine Holmes. The County Commissioners have had numerous conversations about trying to <br />improve the County's hiring practices for those individuals who have disabilities. <br />Jeffrey Starkweather said that the DAC was only asking for $3,500 from the County, which <br />is an increase of $2,000. They are asking far $5,500 from the Tawn of Chapel Hill, $2,200 from the <br />Town of Hillsborough, and $3,200 from the Town of Carrboro. <br />Chair Halkiotis recommended that the Board forward the letter of request for funding to the <br />County Manager to bring back in the budget considerations. The Board agreed. <br />