Media Contact: Laurie Mellas Ramirez, 277-5915

Dec. 9, 2003 UNM STEPS UP EFFORTS TO RECRUIT EMPLOYEES WITH DISABILITIES The efforts of a new Disability Advisory Group (DAG) at the University of New Mexico has resulted in at least 10 UNM job placements for people with disabilities since September. DAG, a team of UNM Human Resources recruitment staff and employment agency and community representatives, is an offshoot of the new UNM Staff Recruiting Services office. Created to help identify, attract and retain the best talent in the country as well as broaden the diversity of UNM employment applicants, the office has several staff who will do community outreach, conduct workshops, provide one-on-one assistance to clients and undertake various diversity initiatives such as DAG. To make DAG a success, UNM built relationships with established agencies serving people with disabilities, said HR Recruiting Services Supervisor Kim Herron-Singleton. Agency and community representatives identify and refer clients and UNM opens the door for well-prepared, qualified applicants. Members of the DAG team include Adelante, Community Options, Goodwill Industries, Healthcare for the Homeless, Business Leadership Network, Albuquerque Public Schools and others. "Often the greatest barriers individuals with disabilities have are erroneous, preconceived notions and incorrect stigmas that potential employers attach to them. Our client base includes qualified people at many levels of ability," said Ernie Castillo, UNM recruitment specialist. "UNM Recruitment is changing these perceptions one placement at a time. The process requires a community effort and that is what DAG is working hard to achieve." Upon request, recruitment specialists will provide personalized assistance to applicants such as help with resume writing, interview skills and completing UNM's online application, Herron-Singleton said. "The scope of the UNM-DAG project includes identifying obstacles to finding employment with UNM and initiating internal and external outreach projects and programs," she said. Herron-Singleton represents UNM on the Business Leadership Network board. The office recently presented workshops for the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation, which is a member of DAG, and the Commission for the Blind. Recruiters also staffed a local job fair in conjunction with Disability Awareness Month in October. "Specialized outreach efforts that address accommodations and barriers to employment make UNM an employer of choice for people with disabilities," Castillo said. For more information on DAG or UNM employment, call Kim Herron-Singleton, 277-5804. ###

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