The planning committee for the EmployAbility rally met today at the Phoenix corporate headquarters of Jobing.com.  This free-to-the public event is set for October 28th, 2010 and will occur on the Arizona state Capital Mall from 9:00 a.m. until 12 p.m.

It’s purpose is to be a community-building effort dedicated to updating public perceptions and attitudes towards the capabilities of People with Disabilities.

It represents an initial step in creating better partnerships among & between community organizations, business, government agencies, and job seekers- all of whom want the same thing- employment based on abilities.

Speakers invited or confirmed for the event are:

Hilda Solis, Secretary of Labor (invited)

Kathy Martinez, Assistant Secretary Disability Employment Policy (invited)

Andy Imparato, CEO, American Association of People with Disabilities

Larry Clausen, Executive Director, Arizona Developmental Disabilities Planning Council

Ken Jacuzzi, Pioneer and champion of civil rights for people with disabilities

Thomas Means, Senior Auditor, Ernst Young

Rick Romley, Maricopa County Attorney (invited)

Col. Joey Strickland, Director Arizona Department of Veteran’s Services

The spirit of community is alive and well in Arizona!

Sponsorship and fundraising efforts have exceeded public perceptions that in this economy, there is a lack of resources from financially tapped community champions to step up and commit hard dollars to an event that has no history.

However, the continuing hope and story of our country is that even in the darkest of times, there are still many people willing to contribute time, money, and connections to a cause they believe can and will drive change. We can now report that all projected event expenses are covered!

PR activities include a full page ad in Ability Magazine, captioned videotaping of entire proceedings, numerous community online calendars, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and blog postings through the event website and Jobing.com. More to come in this area…

Current sponsors of the event offering information/services at booths set up around the Capitol Mall include:

Ability Magazine                                                                               Life Development Institute

Arizona Employer’s Advisory Council                                        LINKAGES

Cenpatico of Arizona                                                                      Magellan Health Services

Chicanos por la Causa                                                                 Staff Management Association

Ernst Young                                                                                     Think Beyond the Label

Goodwill Industries                                                                        United Cerebral Palsy

Jobing.com

Sponsorships levels:

EmployAbility has five remaining booths to offer, so there is still time for organizations, employers, and agencies to participate in the rally, please use the contact information at the end of this post.

$250: includes 1 table and 2 chairs, name in flyers

$500: includes 1 table and 2 chairs, name in flyers, name on banner on stage,

$1000: includes 1 table and 2 chairs, name in flyers, banner on stage, listing in Ability magazine ad, and live 2 minute infomercial/video recording during event.

Contact for event:

Phone: (623) 773-1545, ext. 217/Rob Crawford

Email: lifedevelopmentinstitute@gmail.com

Facebook fan page: http://facebook.com/pages/Phoenix-AZ/Employability-Rally/319413739281

Twitter: http://Twitter.com/Employmentrally