Doug Hess, chief operating manager for The Arc of the Mid-Ohio Valley, appeared before the Wood County Commission on Thursday with Morgan Spicer, self advocate coordinator for People First of West Virginia; Alexis Ullmann, Programs and Activity Coordinator for the Arc of the Mid-Ohio Valley; and Arc of the Mid-Ohio Valley Executive Director Michelle Curtis behind him. They appeared before the commission to have a proclamation approved declaring October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)

PARKERSBURG — The Wood County Commission is recognizing all of the contributions people with disabilities make to the community.

The commission unanimously passed a proclamation Thursday declaring October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

Doug Hess, chief operating manager for The Arc of the Mid-Ohio Valley, and other representatives of the Arc of the Mid-Ohio Valley appeared before the commission to talk about how many in the community are viewing citizens with different disabilities.

“This is something we want to recognize every year because we employ people with disabilities,” Hess said. “We want to promote that people with disabilities do have jobs just like everyone else does.”

There are a number of people in the community working and holding down jobs that others may not be aware that they have disabilities, he said. Others would look at people with disabilities and question if they would be a good employee for them.

Wood County Commission President Blair Couch swore in Deputy Michael Cochran as a captain after Cochran was promoted within the Wood County Sheriff’s Department. Cochran’s wife Amy held the Bible while Wood County Sheriff Rick Woodyard looked on. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)

“Around 71% of the population without disabilities works (in West Virginia) while around 28% have a disability with 19% of those having a developmental (cognitive) disability,” Hess said. “We hope those numbers will get better so people with disabilities will be able to work more.”

Wood County has been and continues to be committed to fostering an inclusive place for people with and without disabilities, the proclamation said.

“Whereas, workplaces that welcome the talents of all people, including those with disabilities, are essential to building an inclusive community and a strong economy,” the proclamation said. “In this spirit, the Wood County Commission, West Virginia, recognizes National Disability Employment Awareness Month to raise awareness about disability employment issues and celebrate the many and varied contributions of people with disabilities.

“Activities during this month will reinforce the value and talent that people with disabilities bring to our workplaces and communities, affirming Wood County’s commitment to inclusivity.”

The Arc of the Mid-Ohio Valley operates a Thrift Shop, a Fingerprinting service, and an Artistic Opportunity Center, providing outlets for people to sell their artwork to supplement their income, the proclamation said. These venues offer inclusive employment and vocational training opportunities for people with and without disabilities, fostering full inclusion and participation for all, and enhancing our community by recognizing the valuable contributions people with disabilities make every day, the proclamation said.

“We call upon employers, schools, and other community organizations in Parkersburg, West Virginia, to observe this month with appropriate programs and activities, and to advance the important message that people with disabilities are equal to the task throughout the year,” the proclamation said.

The Arc’s Thrift Shop operations are now focused solely at its Dudley Avenue location as well as at an online store.

Hess also brought up that October is also Traumatic Brain Injury Month and that was a group that many could end up a part of at any point in their lives, due to accidents and medical conditions.

Morgan Spicer, self advocate coordinator for People First of West Virginia, was diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) when he was a child.

“I can’t stress it enough how vital it is for individuals with disabilities to be recognized as members of the community and have jobs just like everyone else,” he said.

In other business, the commission unanimously approved an application to the West Virginia First Foundation for a grant of up to $250,000 to help the Day Report Center to open an office in Wirt County to help with client re-entry to the community programs for people there as well as Ritchie and Pleasants counties as well as provisions for a site coordinator and case manager with the possibility of a part-time office support employee.

The Wood County Sheriff’s Department held a swearing-in ceremony for Deputy Michael Cochran who was promoted to captain. Cochran has been with the department for 20 years.

Brett Dunlap can be reached at bdunlap@newsandsentinel.com.