Little Rock, Arkansas, Nov 7 – Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson has won re-election, defeating Democratic challenger Jared Henderson for Arkansas’ governorship.
Leading up to the election, Hutchinson issued a proclamation for Disability Employment Awareness Month. He emphasized the importance of people with disabilities’ impact on the economy while highlighting a need for a break down in stigmas against people with disabilities.
In total, there are more than 269,000 working-age people with disabilities living in Arkansas. That total includes people who are blind or deaf or have other visible conditions such as spinal cord injuries, as well as people with invisible disabilities including learning disabilities, mental health or Autism.
Of that number, 85,447 have jobs. That means Arkansas has a disability employment rate of 31.7 percent. According toRespectAbility, a nonpartisan nonprofit organization that works to fight stigmas and advance opportunities for people with disabilities, Arkansas ranks 43rd in the nation on jobs for people with disabilities.
As governor, Hutchinson hopes to continue improving the lives of people with disabilities in Arizona. This includes ensuring that paths to employment are open to the disability community.
“In workplaces all across Arkansas and the United States, talented employees are vital to ensure the success of various corporations, government entities, and private sector organizations,” Hutchinson stated.
Hutchinson invites employers to consider their options when they hire people with disabilities and use their creativity to come up with solutions. By hiring people with disabilities, they are building up the flow of produced work. Like people without disabilities, people with disabilities have special talents that they can contribute to the company.
“People with disabilities offer a wide range of expertise and play an integral role in our efforts to build an inclusive community and strong economy,” Hutchinson adds.
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