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Clarksburg issues proclamation recognizing International Day of Persons with Disabilities; local provider outlines employment supports
Summary
The Clarksburg City Council read a proclamation recognizing Dec. 3 as International Day of Persons with Disabilities, citing state employment statistics and naming local partners; a local vocational program speaker described employment and 24-hour support services and sought business partnerships.
The Clarksburg City Council read a proclamation recognizing Dec. 3, 2025, as International Day of Persons with Disabilities and highlighted local and state efforts to expand employment and inclusion for people with disabilities. The proclamation cited an estimate that about 167,000 working-age adults in the state live with a disability and said more than 64% of them are not employed.
Jess Williams, invited to speak after the proclamation, described vocational programming that focuses on helping participants find and keep jobs through on-site training, resume development and work-experience placements with local businesses. "We solely focus on employment ... We work with individuals as they search for jobs and with employers to build skills that allow them to become valued members of the workforce," Williams said, and asked local employers to open opportunities for training or employment.
Williams also described a direct-care side of the local organization that provides 24-hour supports to help some participants live independently. "Our mission is to help each person live their life as they choose," Williams said, and invited council members and community members to connect about partnership opportunities.
The proclamation named state and local entities that support employment for people with disabilities, including the West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation Services, the Arc of Harrison County and Job Squad Inc. It urged public- and private-sector partnerships to promote full inclusion and accessibility across city services and businesses.
The presentation emphasized workforce pathways rather than immediate policy changes; no ordinance, funding allocation or formal council direction on the topic was recorded in the meeting minutes.
Next steps: organizers and Williams said they would seek employer partnerships and outreach; the council did not record a formal action tied to the proclamation during the meeting.
