OVR chief: People with disabilities are also employable

Office of Vocational Rehabilitation director Maryann Borja Arriola, right, presents about OVR’s mission, as Rotary Club of Saipan president Marcia Ayuyu, left, listens during the club’s Tuesday meeting at the Hyatt Regency Saipan yesterday. (MARC A. VENUS)

The Office of Vocational Rehabilitation urged yesterday the members of the Rotary Club of Saipan—many of whom are officials of several CNMI companies—to give employment opportunities to those with disabilities as they are also capable of meeting the needs of employers.

Speaking as a guest in yesterday’s Rotary Club meeting at the Hyatt Regency Saipan, OVR director Maryann Borja Arriola said that OVR strives to help its clients be able to work with companies that accept them, despite of any disabilities they may have.

“Business entrepreneurs, I want you all to understand that we should not make these folks feel left out, and we should make them experience how it feels like to be independent,” she said.

In talking about the purpose of OVR and the importance of individuals with disabilities, or IWD’s, she said that the OVR works with the competitive and integrated employment opportunities. Competitive employment is earning wages at or above minimum wage with similar benefits provided to employees without disabilities; integrated employment focuses on workers with and without disabilities.

“I have been going through numerous government and private offices and have not seen an individual with disabilities working in them,” she lamented.

She stressed that the common perception of individuals with disabilities as incapable of meeting employers’ expectations or that they will hinder the betterment of the company is misconceived.

At the same time, she said this is a form of discrimination as defined under the American Disabilities Act or ADA, and the Disability Discrimination Act or DDA.

She said that the OVR is not an entitlement but an eligibility-based program and its criteria focuses on: applicants being considered as an IWD, having a physical or mental impairment that results in hindrances to work effectively, requires OVR services to prepare for employment, and has legal status in the CNMI.

Arriola said that IT&E visited OVR not too long ago, with the interest of hiring OVR clients and she was happy to see that businesses are now seeking these individuals to join the workforce. She was grateful for the company’s interest in hiring IWDs.

“I would want other businesses such as McDonald’s, AK Toyota, Aqua Resort Club, Bridge Capital, government sectors, and other private entities to look into the potential of IWDs as they are capable,” she said.

OVR focuses on providing IWDs the proper training in order to work with companies and perform manpower services through on-the-job partnerships or work experience training. For more information about OVR, contact them through email at nmidir@ovrgov.net or call (670) 322-6537/38.