She also advised students with special needs to continue pursuing their studies.
Lt. Gov. Eloy S. Inos proclaimed October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month at the multi-purpose center in Susupe yesterday.
Taitano said she understands the hardships of parents in taking care of the special needs of their physically challenged children.
But parents should continue supporting and taking care of their children, she added.
Taitano narrated her own experience with her special child, saying that the love she has for her child is the reason why she did not give up.
OVR assisted over 350 people with disabilities here, on Tinian and Rota last year.
Of this number, 84.3 percent were employed and 15.7 percent were unemployed.
OVR said the wages of the employed people with disabilities averaged around $19,000 a year.
OVR provides employment, training, counseling and materials to people with disabilities.
Taitano is calling on community members and family of people with disabilities to approach OVR for their needs.
A person with disabilities must still undergo a series of evaluation before being granted OVR services.
But OVR does not choose a person by race, age or educational attainment.
According to Taitano, people with disabilities must be prepared to work or to undergo training before approaching OVR.
“You have to have the means to work and go through our process,” she said.
The process includes orientation, interview, assessment, counseling and a diagnosis from a doctor.
OVR, Taitano said, does not tolerate bad attitudes and having a disability is not a reason to perform poorly at work like frequent tardiness and absence.
OVR received $270,000 in federal stimulus funds for the year 2009-2012.
The funds will be used to finance the training, education and other needs of OVR clients.
Northern Marianas College accepts high school graduates with disabilities, NMC President Dr. Carmen Fernandez said in an interview.
“We would want all students to continue their college at NMC someday,” she said.
Fernandez is the vice chairwoman of State Rehabilitation Council which also provides assistance to people with disabilities.
