An OVR report also showed that 16 percent of its $953,766 budget for fiscal year 2010 was used for rehabilitation technology services, while assessment services, physical/mental restoration services and others got 7 percent each from the total budget. Five percent was spent on training and another 5 percent was spent on transportation services.
Of the total funds for the fiscal year 2010, $916,184 came from federal sources and the remaining $37,582 was from local sources.
The report showed that 20 percent of the total number of consumers who were successfully rehabilitated belonged to the 46- to 60-year-old bracket. Eleven percent were 22 to 45 years old while 4 percent were from 61 to 75.
In 2010, the average annual earning of consumers before rehabilitation was $21,134. This figure increased to $23,212 after rehabilitation.
Last year, 46 percent of the rehabilitated consumers suffered from deafness or hearing difficulty; 23 percent were suffering from other disabilities; 17 percent from mobility impairment/orthopedic/neorulogical disabilities; and 14 percent from blindness and other visual impairments.
OVR Director Margarita R. Olopai-Taitano in an interview said over 200 individuals are availing of their programs.
She is urging all companies and government agencies to open their doors and accommodate persons with disabilities in the workplace.
“These people can work just like the rest of us. Let us get rid of the barriers and help them,” Olopai-Taitano said.
Because October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, OVR gave recognition to establishments and organizations that have employed persons with disabilities on Saipan, Rota, and Tinian.
For more information, go to www.ovrgov.net or call 322-6537/8/9.
