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Commissioners proclaim October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month; vocational rehab staff describe local outcomes
Summary
Representatives from EIPD presented county statistics on vocational rehabilitation referrals and placements; the board unanimously approved Proclamation 2025-14 declaring October National Disability Employment Awareness Month.
Representatives from Burke County’s employment and vocational rehabilitation services — identified in the meeting as EIPD (Employment, Independence and Personal Development) and NCEIPD — briefed commissioners on local activity and asked for a proclamation recognizing National Disability Employment Awareness Month.
Janet Hanna, business relations representative with EIPD, said Burke County’s 2023 population is about 87,570 and that roughly 11,910 residents report a disability. She told the board that the Western Regional EIPD office in Morganton received 215 applicants for services last year; staff received 48 referrals from which 23 individuals were placed and successfully closed. She said 13 internships ran in the county and three internship participants were hired by their host employers.
Hanna and colleagues asked the board to approve a proclamation recognizing October 2025 as National Disability Employment Awareness Month and its theme, "Celebrating Value and Talent." A clerk’s numbering correction was noted during the motion (the proclamation number on the packet was updated to 2025‑14). The proclamation was approved by voice vote, 5–0.
Speakers asked commissioners to refer residents with disabilities to vocational rehabilitation services for employment support and internships.
