Campaign for Disability Employment announces runner-up winners of 'What can YOU do?' video contest

Members of the public selected favorite videos featuring ability and talent

WASHINGTON — The Campaign for Disability Employment, a collaborative of leading disability and business organizations funded by the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy, today announced the runner-up winners of the 2012 "What can YOU do?" video contest. Overall contest winners in three categories were announced in late May, and the public was asked to participate by voting for the top two videos out of four runners-up. Nearly 900 votes were cast.

The first runner-up video, "Hire Me for My Ability," was submitted by Developmental Disabilities Service Organization Inc.'s Employment Plus program, which is based in Sacramento, Calif. The video shows the many occupations in which people with disabilities are using their talents to contribute to the workplace and reminds viewers that people with disabilities should be hired for their abilities.

The second runner-up video, "Yes I Can," was submitted by students from the Henry Viscardi School in Albertson, N.Y. The video features people with disabilities who are valuable assets to their workplaces. It encourages employers to provide opportunities, hire people with disabilities and focus on abilities.

The runner-up winners will receive $250 each, courtesy of the U.S. Business Leadership Network, a founding partner of the campaign. Everyone is encouraged to view and share the videos in support of the Campaign for Disability Employment's mission to challenge negative perceptions about disability employment, and increase knowledge and understanding of the skills and talents of people with disabilities.

To view and share all of the winning videos, visit the campaign's "What can YOU do?" YouTube channel at http://s.dol.gov/T3. For more information about the campaign, visit http://www.WhatCanYouDoCampaign.org.