The Campaign for Disability Employment (CDE) announces a nationwide Video Contest, "What can YOU do?" to Help Perceptions about Disability and Employment.
The Campaign for Disability Employment (CDE) is a collaborative effort among several disability and business organizations that seek to promote positive employment outcomes for people with disabilities by encouraging employers and others to recognize the value and talent they bring to the workplace, as well as the dividend to be realized by fully including people with disabilities at work.
WASHINGTON, D.C., January 31, 2012 – Today, the Campaign for Disability Employment (CDE), a collaboration by leading disability and business organizations funded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), announced the launch of its second nationwide video contest to promote the talent and skills that people with disabilities bring to America’s workforce and economy. A follow-up to a similar contest held in 2009, this year’s competition seeks videos in several categories to supplement the CDE’s award-winning “What can YOU do?” public education efforts.
Every day, people with disabilities can and do add value toAmerica’s workplaces and economy. However, in both good economic times and bad, people with disabilities have far fewer job opportunities than the general population. Built around a coordinated outreach effort titled “What can YOU do?,” the CDE promotes the hiring, retention and advancement of people with disabilities through public service announcements, educational materials and other grass-roots outreach activities.
“Our video contest is an opportunity for filmmakers of all ages to convey positive messages about the value people with disabilities add to the workforce and to help viewers re-think their negative assumptions about people with disabilities in the workforce,” said Tracie Saab, Campaign for Disability Employment project director. “It’s their chance to drive positive change by illustrating that at work, it’s what people CAN do that matters.”
About the “What can YOU do?” Video Contest
The CDE is looking for creative, fun, compelling videos of all genres that reflect the diversity of skills that people with disabilities offer, challenge misconceptions about disability and employment, and/or highlight employers’ inclusive employment programs and practices. The CDE will recognize winners in up to three specific categories (General Public, Youth and Employer), and the public will be encouraged to select a People’s Choice winner.
The deadline for entry is March 30, 2012. Videos should be one to three minutes in length (depending on the category entered) and reflect one or more of the campaign’s key themes, which are outlined on the contest website, www.WhatCanYouDoCampaign.org/videocontest. Individual and group entries are encouraged. Applicants must beU.S. citizens to enter.
Winners will receive a chance to participate in the CDE’s public outreach activities, and several selected videos may be showcased on the campaign’s website and at future CDE events. Other prizes may be awarded. More information and the official contest rules are outlined on the competition website.
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