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Orange County Board recognizes Disability Employment Awareness Month; advocate urges more funding
Summary
The Board of Supervisors recognized October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month and heard testimony from Scott Baron of Disability Rights California urging county funding and inclusive hiring to expand employment opportunities for residents with disabilities.
The Orange County Board of Supervisors on Oct. 28 recognized National Disability Employment Awareness Month and heard personal testimony about barriers to employment faced by people with disabilities.
Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento, who introduced the presentation, said the 2025 national theme "Value and Talent" highlights the contributions of employees with disabilities and noted local statistics from the Orange County Health Agency showing nearly 279,000 residents with disabilities. "Individuals with disabilities are twice as likely to be unemployed and live below the poverty threshold," Sarmiento said, urging continued policy and community support.
Scott Baron, a coordinator with Disability Rights California, described his own path to work after college and asked supervisors to "please consider funding people with disabilities so they can be gainfully employed just like I am." Baron said his role includes staff training and community outreach and credited programs that helped place him in stable employment.
Supervisor Katrina Foley and other board members praised local nonprofits such as Project Independence and Goodwill of Orange County for job training and placement, and stressed the need for employer engagement and workplace supports.
The board offered staff follow-up contacts and thanked community partners; no formal action was taken beyond the recognition.
