October 3, 2005                                                          FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Adrienne Sherman

PHONE: (908) 707-9840
FAX: (908) 707-9848
E-MAIL: inquiry@lift-inc.org

 

 

CHRISTOPHER REEVE INTERN TO PROMOTE DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT

 

Warren, N.J.—The nonprofit corporation Lift, Inc. announces the appointment of Carrie Smoot of Falls Church, Virginia as the Christopher Reeve Intern, a communications position sponsored by the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation. Lift’s nationwide program qualifies, trains, hires and places information management professionals who have physical and sensory disabilities. Since 1975, Lift has been a unique resource for corporations seeking computer programmers, Web designers, systems analysts, software engineers and technical writers.

 

“We’re pleased to kick off National Disability Employment Awareness Month with the news of Carrie’s appointment,” says Donna Walters Kozberg, Lift’s president.  According to a 2004 Harris survey, only 35 percent of people who had disabilities were employed, and two-thirds of those unemployed wanted to work.  Carrie’s mission will be to help publicize the advantages of hiring capable men and women who have disabilities.

“Technology has leveled the playing field in the employment world,” Kozberg says, “but too often job applicants who have disabilities still aren’t allowed into the game.”

 

Smoot is a freelance writer who has cerebral palsy and is a power wheelchair user. As program assistant with the former President’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities in Washington, D.C., Smoot learned about cross-disability issues, civil rights and public policy. She also served as assistant project manager for the Disability and Business Technical Assistance Centers, which provide training and guidance about Americans with Disabilities Act compliance. She earned a master’s degree in print journalism and public affairs from American University in 1998.

 

Further information about Lift can be found at http://www.lift-inc.org/.

 

The Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation (http://www.christopherreeve.org) in Springfield, N.J., funds quality of life programs and research leading to treatment and cures of spinal cord injuries and other central nervous system disorders.

 

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