Travis County Commissioners Court
October 12, 2004
Item 1
1. Approve proclamation recognizing October 20, 2004 as "disability mentoring
day" in Travis County.
>> judge, we do have some folks here, if you will go ahead
and have a seat, we'll go ahead and -- and redirect the proclamation. Read
the proclamation, whereas more than one million people with disabilities have
entered the labor force since the passage of the americans with disabilities
act in 1990; and whereas job seekers with disabilities, regardless of age,
are striving to obtain economic independence through self sufficient fee and
gainful employment, whereas both students and job seekers with disabilities
have the right to maximize their potential by making the most of their intellect,
talents and abilities in an environment free of physical, programmatic and
attitudinal barriers, whereas disability mentoring day provides an opportunity
for students and job seekers with all types of disabilities to gain insight
into career options by spending part of their day in work space, shadowing
an employee as he or she goes through a normal day on the job and whereas
employers from the private, governmental and non-profit sectors may benefit
from mentoring people with disabilities, as a way of learning about the experience
of disability, developing lasting relationships with disability community
leaders and recruiting new and emerging talent for meaningful internship and
employment opportunities, be it resolved that Travis County Commissioners
court declares this as disabilities day. Work toward their full integration
into the workforce. I would move approval.
>> second.
>> and -- and I’m very pleased to introduce denise Sonleitner,
yes, that is the last name -- my sister-in-law who also happens to be on the
mayor's commission on disabilities, I believe that you have a guest to introduce
to us as well.
>> yes. Thank you, Commissioner Sonleitner. And the court.
I’m here today with bryson mccall, a concerned citizens andzel lowers gonzalez
a.d.a. Coordinator for the city of Austin. On behalf of the Austin mayor's
committee for people with disabilities and its partners, including Austin
community college, aisd, goodwill industries of central Texas, the department
of assistive and rehabilitative services, u.t. Austin and business leadership
network and many others, we want to thank you for this proclamation of the
second annual disabilities mentoring day in Travis County. 2004 is an opportunity
for our community youth to explore vocational and career opportunities at
a workplace within their specified area of interest. We would also like to
thank you for your continued support of youth with disabilities in our community
through funding of programs like the work based learning program, programs
like this and disability mentoring day really do make a long-term difference
in the lives of youths with disabilities and help them to become successful
adults in our community. Thank you.
>> how did it go last-
>> the last year was the first year, we had 15 mentor meantee
matches, this year we have 45 mentormentee matches, we are very excited, thank
you.
>> do you have any comments that you would like to make?
>> I would just like to say, repeating what she said, so
to speak, but also encourage you to use like some of the summer youth programs
that you all have, to -- to encourage employment of youth and training for
future employment.
>> actually, we did quite well this past summer, we're told.
For the first time we actively recruited in this area, I understand we were
quite successful, so we need to build on it, I agree. Can we clear up one
point, since you're here.
>> [laughter]
>> oh, no.
>> no. Yes?
>> I heard that Commissioner Sonleitner, at the family holiday
dinner insists of being called Commissioner Sonleitner, I have been denying
that, I have been swat thank down for two or three years. For the record,
it is not true,?
>> I have to say it's not true. [laughter]
>> actually, now -- actually now that denise is on this commission,
she is now the Commissioner.
>> she's aunt Karen.
>> I’m aunt Karen. But if I could put in a plug for my sister-in-law,
she does amazing work in this area with the disabilities community and has
been a speaker many a-time over at the state capitol, we have many a challenge
over there in terms of getting the proper funding for kids who have life-long
challenges.
>> keep encouraging and prodding us, we will do better.
>> thank you.
>> any more discussion? All in favor? That passes by unanimous
vote.
>> thank you.
>> thanks y'all.
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Last Modified: Wednesday, October 26, 2005 3:39 PM