Alexandra McClurg has been working at the Kaua‘i ‘Ohana Resource kiosk at Kukui Grove Center for more than a year in addition to her part-time job with the Target store.
“She is great to work with, has a positive attitude, and is always willing to try new tasks,” states a release from the Hawai‘i State Council on Developmental Disabilities.
McClurg choked back tears and became emotional on Wednesday when Mayor Derek Kawakami announced her as the employee of the year, the honor being named by the Hawai‘i State Council on Developmental Disabilities, when Kawakami added the announcement of October being National Disability Employment Awareness Month.
“The Hawai‘i State Council on Developmental Disabilities is proud to be a part of this year’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month,” said Amelia Kyewich-Kaneholani in a statement because illness prevented her from attending the ceremony in-person. “We want to spread the important message to value all perspectives, including those of individuals with disabilities.”
Kawakami, through the proclamation, said the County of Kaua‘i pledges to continue to take steps throughout the year to recruit, hire, retain and advance individuals with disabilities and work to pursue the goals of opportunity, full participation, economic self-sufficiency and independent living for people with disabilities.
“National Disability Employment Awareness Month should not be limited to just October,” Kawakami said. “It should be every day, and we should be celebrating our differences.”
October 2022 marks the 77th anniversary of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, the purpose of which is to educate people about disability employment issues and celebrate the many varied contributions of America’s workers with disabilities.
Workplaces welcoming of the talents of all people, including people with disabilities, are a critical part of efforts to build an inclusive community and strong economy.
“Our national recovery from the pandemic cannot be completed without the inclusion of all Americans, in particular people with disabilities,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh. “Their contributions have historically been vital to our nation’s success, and are more important today than ever. We must build an economy that fully includes the talents and drive of those with disabilities.”
w Info: dol.gov/NDEAM
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 808-245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
