SAN DIEGO - In recognition of October as Disability Awareness Month, a number of educational activities have been scheduled in San Diego to call attention to the barriers people with disabilities face, and the existing opportunities for community involvement.

Due to lack of exposure, often people cannot appreciate the obstacles facing a disabled person. Disability Awareness Month is intended to educate the community about the difficulties disabled people experience during day-to-day life and what can be done to alleviate such circumstances. The goal is that by the end of the month, there will be a greater understanding of what it means to live with a disability.

"People are not disabled, they are 'differently abled.' They use their own abilities and adaptive devices to do tasks in a different way," said Linda Woodbury, coordinator of the City's Disability Services Program. "We hope to demonstrate how such adaptive devices and universal design can assist people with disabilities and help them access our community's resources."

The third annual "Take on a Disability Day" will allow City officials to experience a regular workday as would someone with a disability. True to life, participants will be randomly assigned a disability. Those participating in the October 7 event include City Council members and department directors, assisted by volunteers from the disabled community and staff from several San Diego disability organizations.

Additionally, the San Diego City Council will proclaim National White Cane Day on October 15th. In response to mounting concerns for pedestrian safety and increased pedestrian injuries at intersections, the San Diego Police Department in conjunction with the San Diego Police Foundation, the City of San Diego, and the Visually Impaired People Services (VIPS) will introduce the pedestrian safety card for drivers. The card contains parts of the White Cane Law and Vehicle Code Handbook, which let drivers know the rules, and offenses for which they might otherwise be sited if the laws are not followed. The Police will distribute the card throughout San Diego, at City Community Services Centers, libraries and other locations.

According to a recent study, persons with disabilities account for an estimated 22 percent of all San Diego residents; "Take on a Disability Day" represents the City's commitment to providing access to programs and facilities to all San Diegans.

A full schedule of activities for Disability Awareness Month is available on the City's web site. October Awareness activities kick off on October 5 with the 12th annual Puppy Raiser's Appreciation Luncheon, which will highlight the typical duties and experiences of a guide dog trainer. Events will continue throughout October, ending October 19 with a Town Hall discussion of accessible and affordable housing in San Diego. Other major events include an Employment Fair for persons with disabilities on October 8 and National Mentoring Day on October 16, which will allow disabled students to work with various City staff members and local businesses to learn about career possibilities.

The City's Disability Services Program is responsible for removal of architectural barriers and is a part of the City's Community and Economic Development Department. Disability Services coordinates City compliance with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act and other related state and federal laws that extend civil protection to persons with disabilities.

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With an emphasis on the City's urban core neighborhoods and low and moderate income residents, the City of San Diego's Community and Economic Development Department strives to improve the quality of life and ensure a healthy economy in San Diego through job development, business development, neighborhood revitalization, public improvements, redevelopment, social services, and revenue enhancement.