October will be Disability Employment Awareness Month, the Warren County Board of County Commissioners have proclaimed as they celebrated and recognized the capabilities and contributions of persons with a disability.

“There are all levels of abilities,” Commissioner Director Jason J. Sarnoski said, adding the County supports efforts that “allow people to reach their full potential.”

Receiving the proclamation were county Human Services Director Shawn Buskirk and Cynthia Wildermuth, Chief Executive Officer of the organization Abilities of Northwest Jersey Inc. Commissioner Lori Ciesla, who read the proclamation, noted that Abilities personnel “specialize in giving those with disabilities the ability to work. It makes a big difference in everyone’s lives.”

Commissioner James R. Kern III said Warren County is fortunate to have Abilities of Northwest Jersey and other organizations who work with people with disabilities, adding those groups are always looking for volunteers and donors to assist this important effort.

Wildermuth thanked the commissioners “for recognizing the critical need for employment for persons with disabilities.” She noted the nation is currently at an all-time high – 38 percent – of employment of this segment of the population, “but we still have 62 percent of individuals with disabilities who may have that opportunity to succeed in life, we just have to get that awareness out there.”

Each year, the month of October is designated nationally as “Disability Employment Awareness Month” to celebrate and recognize the capabilities and contributions of persons with a disability. In their proclamation, the Board of County Commissioners stated that it “recognizes that disability does not diminish the entitlement of any individual to live independently, enjoy self-determination, make personal choices, contribute to society and to experience the economic, political, social, cultural and educational mainstream of American society.”

The County, through the Human Services department’s Division of Aging & Disability Services and its Advisory Council on Disabilities, strives to create awareness and opportunities that “provide disabled residents and their caregivers the options and support needed to exercise their full rights as citizens in every component of our society and our County,” the proclamation stated.

Photo, Warren County Human Services Director Shawn Buskirk and Abilities of Northwest Jersey Inc. Chief Executive Officer Cynthia Wildermuth receive a proclamation for Disability Employment Awareness Month from Warren County Commissioners Lori Ciesla (far left), James R. Kern III, and Director Jason J. Sarnoski.