Ramstein observes National Disability Employment Awareness Month

Photo By Staff Sgt. Savannah Waters | A Ramstein Elementary School student colors during a National Disability Employment Awareness Month reading event at Ramstein Elementary School on Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Oct. 18, 2017. Ramstein’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month Committee visited approximately 30 elementary school classes within the Kaiserslautern Military Community to inform the community the importance of this month’s observance. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Savannah L. Waters)  

RAMSTEIN-MIESENBACH, RP, GERMANY

10.20.2017

Story by Airman 1st Class Savannah Waters 

86th Airlift Wing

Airmen from Ramstein’s National Disability Employment Awareness Committee visited elementary schools within the Kaiserslautern Military Community to read to students for National Disability Employment Awareness Month Oct. 17 through Oct. 20, 2017.
At Ramstein Elementary School, second graders were read the book "Tuesday Tucks Me In" by Luis Carlos Montalvan, a book about a service member who has come back from war with post-traumatic stress disorder and now has a service dog.
Third- through fifth-graders at Vogelweh Elementary School were read "We're All Wonders" by R.J. Palacio, which is about a boy who was born with physical deformities.
“Through these books, students had the opportunity to learn that not everyone is the same,” said Airman 1st Class Matthew Powell, 86th Medical Support Squadron war reserve material technician.
According to the National Consortium on Racial and Ethnic Fairness in the Courts, National Disability Employment Awareness Month is a national campaign held in October that raises awareness about employment issues for disabled people, and celebrates the many and varied contributions of America's workers with disabilities.
The National Disability Employment Awareness Month Committee visited approximately 30 elementary school classes to impact hundreds of students.
“This opportunity allowed students to see how people with disabilities can lead a productive and meaningful life,” said Natalie Horne, Ramstein Elementary School assistant principal. “The same is true for students with disabilities. With the right support, our students will be successful.”
Informing the community about National Disability Employment Awareness Month is important, and it starts with young students.
"If you teach children at a young age to respect others no matter their appearance or behavior, you will set a foundation for years to come," Powell said. “Awareness starts with them.”

• Date Taken: 10.20.2017
• Date Posted: 11.07.2017 04:54
• Story ID: 253523
• Location: RAMSTEIN-MIESENBACH, RP, DE