Disability summit takes place April 27 in Columbus

The Mayor’s Commission for Persons with Disabilities (MCPD) will host a “Summit for the Employment of Individuals with Disabilities” on April 27 at the Blanchard Room of Columbus Bank and Trust.

More than 25 businesses and companies will come together to discover the benefits and social impact of hiring individuals with disabilities and to build relationships with agencies that assist in job placement.

“Our responsibility is to ensure that there is equality in recruitment, retention and promotion, and that individuals with disabilities work in an environment that has optimal accessibility,” Mayor Teresa Tomlinson said in a statement.

The unemployment rate for individuals with disabilities in Muscogee County is almost twice the rate of those without disabilities, according to Cornell University Employment and Disability Institute. MCPD has made it a priority to improve the opportunity for employment as an option for all working-age individuals with disabilities through identifying employment barriers, promoting awareness and partnering with employers and companies in Columbus and its surrounding area, the mayor’s office said.

“I am very excited about the event and feel an undercurrent of excitement in the business community as well,” said MCPD chairwoman Joy Norman.

Employers can get more information about the summit or sign up for the event by calling 706- 225-3163. The deadline is Monday.

This story was originally published April 15, 2016 at 3:43 PM with the headline "Disability summit takes place April 27 in Columbus."