NEWS
Federal Communications Commission
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This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action.  Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action.
See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974).
News Media Information 202 / 418-0500
Internet: http://www.fcc.gov
TTY: 1-888-835-5322
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: NEWS MEDIA CONTACT:
October 17, 2014 Mike Snyder, 202-418-0997
Email: michael.snyder@fcc.gov  
FCC To Recognize National Disability Employment Awareness Month 
With Two Panel Discussions
Washington, D.C. – In recognition of National Disability Employment Awareness Month 
(NDEAM), the FCC’s Office of Workplace Diversity, in coordination with the agency’s 
Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau and Office of Managing Director, will host two 
panel discussions on October 30, 2014. This year’s NDEAM theme is “Expect.  Employ.  
Empower.”  The primary goal of the panel discussions is to heighten awareness of issues and 
challenges bearing on employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities, as well as to 
highlight certain FCC and government-wide efforts currently underway to increase the 
participation of individuals with disabilities in the federal workforce.
The NDEAM program will kick-off promptly at 10:00 a.m. with opening remarks by FCC 
Chairman Tom Wheeler.  FCC Commissioner Michael O’Rielly will also provide remarks 
during the program. The event is open to the public.
Panel I will focus on the impact of FCC efforts to implement regulations requiring access to 
advanced communications services on employment opportunities for persons with 
disabilities. The Panel will be comprised of representatives from Gallaudet University, 
Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind, AT&T, and the American Foundation for the Blind. Karen 
Peltz Strauss, Deputy Chief of the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, will open the 
panel discussion with a brief overview of relevant laws and FCC regulatory actions.  Gregory 
Hlibok, Chief of the Disability Rights Office of the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, 
will moderate this panel.
Panel II will address ongoing efforts of the FCC, and the federal government, to increase the 
participation of persons with disabilities in its workforce. Panelists will include representatives 
from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity 
Commission, The Arc, St. John’s Community Services and an FCC employee recently hired as 
part of an FCC effort to increase employment of people with intellectual and developmental
disabilities.  Cynthia Bryant, Attorney Advisor of the Consumer and Governmental Affairs 
Bureau will moderate this panel.
The agenda and list of panelists will be released at a later date.
A free webcast of the live event, with open captioning over the Internet, will be available at
FCC.gov/live.  Pre-registration is not required for the live webcast.  Sign language interpreters 
will be present at the event.  Other accommodations for persons with disabilities may be 
available upon request.  Send detailed requests with contact information to fcc504@fcc.gov or 
call the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau at (202) 418-0530 (voice), (202) 418-0432 
(TTY). Requests should be made as soon as possible.
For additional information about this event, please contact Kelly Jones by email at
Kelly.Jones@fcc.gov or by telephone at (202)418-7078.
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