September 30, 2010 Library of Congress to Celebrate Disability Employment Awareness Month

With a national theme of “Talent Has No Boundaries: Workforce Diversity Includes Workers with Disabilities,” Disability Employment Awareness Month will be celebrated by the Library of Congress throughout the month of October with a several programs. The following events are free and open to the public. Tickets are not required. All events will take place in the Library’s James Madison Building, 101 Independence Ave. S.E., Washington, D.C.

• At 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 6, Library staff members Jane Sheehan and Don Olson will discuss “The History of the Guide Dog Movement” and demonstrate the role of the guide dog in the lives of individuals who are blind. They will be accompanied by working dogs Nugget and Wagner. The event will take place in the West Dining Room, located on the sixth floor of the Madison Building.
• From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 20, an Assistive Technology Demonstration Showcase in Madison Hall will feature technologies that provide access to phones, computers and printed materials for those who are blind, deaf, physically or cognitively challenged.
• At 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct 27, a film titled “Invisible Voices: New Perspectives on Disability” will be shown and discussed in LM-139. The film strips away the prejudices and biases society places on people with disabilities and exposes their amazing stories of challenge and courage. The film was produced and distributed on DVD in 2010 in conjunction with the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disability Act. Leading the film discussion will be Eric Eldritch, the Library’s ADA access program manager.

In addition to these events, the Library celebrates the contributions of persons with disabilities on its web portal at www.loc.gov/disabilityawareness/.

Founded in 1800, the Library of Congress is the nation’s oldest federal cultural institution. The Library seeks to spark imagination and creativity and to further human understanding and wisdom by providing access to knowledge through its magnificent collections, programs and exhibitions. Many of the Library’s rich resources can be accessed through its website at www.loc.gov and via interactive exhibitions on a personalized website at myLOC.gov.