On Monday, October 23, 2023, DHR hosted its first-ever EmpowerAbilitySF event and welcomed over 100 attendees to raise awareness about the value that people with disabilities bring to the City and County of San Francisco’s workforce. The event included a presentation from the State of California Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) on their work to help job seekers with disabilities obtain competitive employment.
EmpowerabilitySF also included a panel discussion with city employees who have a disability and their experiences applying to and working for the CCSF workforce. One panelist, described their experience with the reasonable accommodation process, they said, "I asked for more time to walk to my meetings and I received more than enough time. I asked for good lighting, and now I am surrounded by all windows with great lighting. It is more to me than just a reasonable accommodation request. It is important for me to feel comfortable in my working space as I see myself staying here. I enjoy what I do and don’t plan to leave."
The Department of Human Resources Director, Carol Isen, presented an award to Dr. Grant Colfax, Director of the Department of Public Health, recognizing DPH’s commitment to diversity in placements and achieving the highest number of Access to City Employment (ACE) Program placements. The ACE Program provides an alternative route for city employment for individuals with a disability to apply to city jobs.
The event concluded with a Career Resource Fair where attendees had the opportunity to speak with over 11 city departments about job opportunities.