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LISBON -- Not all disabilities are visible but all disabilities can be recognized.
This month the Columbiana County Educational Service Center (ESC) has joined the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy in recognizing National Disability Employment Awareness Month.
The national awareness campaign is held every October and is an offshoot of disability recognition efforts that trace back to 1945.
"Our Educational Service Center is proud to take part in this year's National Disability Employment Awareness Month. We
want to spread the important message that we value all contributions, including those of individuals with disabilities," the ESC said in a press release.
According to the press release, the purpose of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) is to bring attention to disability employment and celebrate the many and varied contributions of America's workers with disabilities.
The 2026 theme is "Celebrating Value and Talent."
The history of NDEAM traces back to 1945, when it began as a weeklong recognition of people with physical disabilities. Later, NDEAM expanded to a full month and evolved to include all people with disabilities, including those with mental health conditions and other nonobvious disabilities, acknowledging the importance of increasing their access to jobs, the ESC said.
As a reflection of the theme throughout the month, the Columbiana County Educational Service Center will hold weekly mentoring programs for students with disabilities to provide opportunities for them to learn about employment.
The ESC said it would like to recognize the following community partners with whom it has had the privilege of working with throughout the past year.
Austintown: Grizzly Bean Coffee House, Goodwill
Boardman: Harbor Pet Center, The Dog Stop, Giant Eagle Boardman, Meijer, Perkins Restaurant & Bakery, Rulli Brothers Columbiana: Athletix, Dairy Queen Grill and Chill, Nazarene Church, The Way Station Inc., Windsor House at Parkside
East Liverpool: YMCA both downtown and Calcutta
Hanoverton: Tyler's Garage LLC
Lisbon: ESC Opportunity School, ESC Bus Garage, Discount Drug Mart
Minerva: Kishman's Fresh Market IGA
North Lima: Goodness Grows
Salem: Grizzly Bean Coffee House, Goodwill, KOA Campground, Reach for the STARS, Salem Community Center, Salem Public Library, Big Reach Center of Hope, Giant Eagle, Ventra Salem LLC, CQL Manufacturing
Washingtonville: Fat Ted's Diner
Youngstown: Quality Sorting Services, LLC Employers and workers in any industry can visit dol.gov/NDEAM to learn more about how to participate in National
Disability Employment Awareness Month in October and promote its messages all year.