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October 4, 2021

Features • October 4, 2021

McHenry County Kicks off National Disability Employment Awareness Month with Ribbon Cutting for the County-wide MCRide Program

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WOODSTOCK, Ill. – On Friday, October 1st , McHenry County kicked off National Disability Employment Awareness Month with a ribbon cutting for the County-wide MCRide Program. County leaders, disability advocates, and transit agencies spoke on the progress made to overcome barriers to employment for individuals with disabilities as well as the work still left to be done in advancement of disability rights.

McHenry County proclaimed the month of October Disability Employment Awareness Month in solidarity with the Federal Government and other agencies across the nation. The purpose of National Disability Employment Awareness Month is to educate about disability employment issues and celebrate the many and varied contributions of America’s workers with disabilities.

The history of National Disability Employment Awareness Month traces back to 1945 when Congress enacted a law declaring the first week in October each year “National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week.” In 1962, the word “physically” was removed to acknowledge the employment needs and contributions of individuals with all types of disabilities. In 1988, Congress expanded the week to a month and changed the name to National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

“I’m proud of the Division of Transportation for taking the County Board’s proclamation to the next level,” said McHenry County Board Member and Transportation Committee Chairman Jim Kearns (RHuntley). Not only have they brought more awareness to our community through this celebration, but they continue to make our community more welcoming for individuals with disabilities through the expansion of the MCRide Program and the implementation of the ADA Transition Plan.”

Created in 2012, the MCRide program assists marginalized community members with their transportation needs by offering discounted trips to seniors and individuals with disabilities. Since its creation, MCRide expanded from operating only in the Cities of Crystal Lake, Woodstock, and McHenry to cover the entire county as of January of this year. Approximately 40% of MCRide trips are used to transport residents to their workplaces. “I am confident that the County’s participation in National Disability Employment Awareness Month will encourage others to participate and to help break down the barriers to employment for McHenry County residents with disabilities,” said McHenry County Board Chairman Michael Buehler, (R-Crystal Lake). “In the meantime, I would like to invite the many talented individuals with disabilities in our community to apply for the open positions here at the County.”

To apply for employment opportunities with McHenry County please visit www.mchenrycountyil.gov/employment. If you would like to learn more about MCRide and McHenry County’s ADA Transition plan, please visit www.mchenrycountydot.org.

Employers and employees in all industries can learn more about how to participate in National Disability Employment Awareness Month and ways they can promote its messages — during October and throughout the year — by visiting www.dol.gov/NDEAM.