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Local disability employment provider asks county to proclaim October 2025 National Disability Employment Awareness Month
Summary
Employment & Independence for People with Disabilities (formerly Vocational Rehabilitation) asked the board to adopt a proclamation recognizing October 2025 as National Disability Employment Awareness Month for Sampson County and to publicize services the agency offers.
Sydney Smith, representing Employment & Independence for People with Disabilities (EIPD), told the commissioners the agency — formerly known locally as Vocational Rehabilitation — provides free services to people with disabilities and to employers and asked the board to adopt a proclamation declaring October 2025 as National Disability Employment Awareness Month for Sampson County.
Why it matters: Smith said EIPD helps people with visible and invisible disabilities with job training, onboarding, accommodations, vehicle adaptations and transportation, and that the state provides funding for many workplace adaptations. Smith said EIPD wants to expand awareness in Clinton and across Sampson County and requested a county proclamation rather than the city proclamation that had been drafted.
Smith noted the proclamation text she brought referenced the city of Clinton; she said she would update it to read “Sampson County” and deliver the corrected copy as early as the next morning. Commissioners asked about EIPD’s local office location; Smith gave an address for an office in Clinton at 215 West Main Street and said she travels to Clinton several times a month.
Ending: Smith said she has worked in disability employment services for 25 years and asked the county to support proclamation and outreach to employers and community groups to increase hiring and retention of people with disabilities.
