October is Disability Awareness Month

by Kristen Mangum

October is Disability Awareness Month. In recognition, posters like these may be seen at places of employment around White County and Northeast Georgia.

White County News

October is Disability Awareness Month. But what many people may not know is that the Northeast Chapter of the Georgia Rehabilitation Association (GRA) that serves Region 2, which covers White, Habersham, Stephens and other Northeast Georgia counties, is located right here in Cleveland.

Vocational Rehabilitation, located on South Main Street, provides people and services to meet the needs of the local work force. It prepares people with disabilities to achieve workplace success and serves as a partner in helping to build an integrated workforce that meets the needs of businesses and its clients.

Two people instrumental in the day-to-day operations of Vocational Rehabilitation are Beverly Raznoff and Danny Godfrey, both certified rehabilitation counselors, based at the offices in Cleveland.

“It is a work program within the Georgia Department of Labor's vocational rehabilitation services,” Godfrey said.

Raznoff agreed, adding that it is “not an entitlement program, but an eligibility program.”

That, she noted, means that the disabled must make an effort to want to work or return to work.

Interestingly, many people are unaware that some suffer with a disability.

Raznoff, in fact, suffered from polio as a child and now experiences post-polio syndrome, while Godfrey has undergone a kidney transplant

However, based on outward appearance, one may never know that either of them have a disability.

As part of Disability Awareness Month, GRA is sponsoring several public awareness events during October.

The Northeast Chapter of GRA will present the “Muscle in the Mountains” car show from 1-5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 19, at Universal Chevrolet on Highway 129 South near Cleveland.

Vehicles that have been modified for use by people with disabilities, including a General Lee that was used in filming The Dukes of Hazzard, will be on display at the event. That General Lee's owner, Keith Winfrey of Virginia, modified the car with hand controls since he uses a wheelchair.

The car show is a featured venue for the Dodge Charger Registry's annual “Hillbilly Cruise.” Cast members from The Dukes of Hazzard are traveling with the cruise and are expected to attend the show. A stunt performer who appeared in the Transformers movie will provide a brief demonstration for the crowd in his custom Camaro.

For more information or to register for “Muscle in the Mountains,” call 706-348-4905.