Learning Knows No Bounds as DCSS Celebrates Disability Awareness in the Workplace

The California Department of Child Support Services (DCSS) held its 3rd Annual Disability Awareness Month event on Thursday, October 13th to celebrate inclusion in the workplace. The event, organized by the DCSS Disability Advisory Committee, helps promote disability awareness in the workplace and showcase all of the benefits that those who may have disabilities can contribute to innovation and work production.

The event featured a wide range of activities for attendees to enjoy including an electrifying performance by Southside Art Ensemble throughout the event. The group characterizes themselves as a “dedicated and diverse group of musicians, conquering our disabilities one song at a time.” The group was a hit at the event.

“This has been a great opportunity for us to engage the community and provide services and complete everyone’s awareness,” said Alisha Griffin, Director of DCSS. “We appreciate everyone coming out to be a part of this and really supporting disability awareness.”

Attendees experienced a very entertaining and informative presentation by Pam Kitani, an employee with DCSS who is also a designated puppy trainer for Canine Companions for Independence (CCI), a non-profit organization that provides highly trained assistance dogs to persons with disabilities. Employees at DCSS headquarters likely recognized Kitani and her puppy, but many don’t know that she is actually a volunteer for CCI and trains assistance dogs before they are placed with a participant.

Nancy Sawhney, a National Board Member as well as a participant of Canine Companions for Independence also presented the ways in which her assistance dog, “Battier” or “Baddy” for short, helps her live a full life. Baddy helps Sawhney pick up items she may have dropped, hold items while she pushes her wheelchair or turn lights on/off on command.

“I really want to express deep gratitude for puppy trainers like (Kitani) who work so hard and do so much to train these dogs,” Sawhney said. “I also thank employers who allow these training dogs in the workplace.”

Disability Awareness Month has its roots as far back as 1945 when Congress recognized the first week in October as “Employ the Physically Handicapped Week.”

Also present at the event were representatives from Sacramento Employment Training Academy, Department of Veterans Affairs- NorCal Healthcare System, Southside Arts Center, Guide Dogs for the Blind, Department of Rehabilitation, California Highway Patrol, Futures Explored, Inc. and NorCal Services for the Deaf who provided sign language interpretation.

A video recap of the event can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VL0Jt_p4Nlk

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Dana Simas, Director of Communications

California Department of Child Support Services