Lee Health honors workers with disabilities with Celebration in the Park on Oct. 21

In honor of National Disability Employment Awareness Month in October, Lee Health is hosting a free event to honor workers with disabilities and promote advancing access to equity for our local communities. The Oct. 21 event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. is open to the public at Estero Community Park, 9200 Corkscrew Palms Blvd. in Estero.

The Celebration in the Park will feature local resources for people of all ages seeking a meaningful career or assistance, a free kids Halloween costume contest, trick or treating, music, food trucks, games and activities, face painting, sand art, a blow-up obstacle course, a DJ and live entertainment. Morning anchor from WINK News, Taylor Petras, will be Master of Ceremonies.

Children who pre-register for the Halloween costume contest will receive a small treat and ensure a spot in the contest. To register, please visit leehealth.wufoo.com.

This year’s theme for National Disability Employment Awareness Month ‘Disability: Part of the Equity Equation’ acknowledges the vital role that people with disabilities play in creating a strong workforce that reflects the diversity of American society.

Celebration in the Park is also in support of Lee Health’s Project SEARCH Program, which is a one-year transition from school-to-work program that helps high school students with intellectual or developmental disabilities develop life and work skills for long-term employment and personal success. Project SEARCH is also supported by The School District of Lee County, Center for Independent Living and Vocational Rehabilitation.

The students gain experience working in guest services, food and nutrition services, central supply and sterile processing. They may work in service roles in patient care areas, such as the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), Pediatric Sedation, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Inpatient Pediatrics, Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) and Endoscopy.

Over the years, Lee Health has hired Project SEARCH interns for roles in Environmental Services, Sterile Processing, the PICU, NICU, Pediatric Emergency Department, and more.

For more information, please visit facebook.com/PSLeeCounty.

About Lee Health

Since the opening of the first hospital in 1916, Lee Health has been a health care leader in Southwest Florida, constantly evolving to meet the needs of the community. A non-profit, integrated health care services organization, Lee Health is committed to the well-being of every individual served, focused on healthy living and maintaining good health. Health care services are conveniently located throughout the community in four acute care hospitals, two specialty hospitals, outpatient centers, walk-in medical centers, primary care and specialty physician practices and other services across the continuum of care. Learn more at LeeHealth.org.

Source: Lee Health