Career service officials said disabled people are one of the most overlooked groups in society despite the fact that its members come from all walks of life.

"It's very hard to raise people's awareness," said Jack Rayman, director of Penn State Career Services. "[The issue is] not something that we as a society pay a lot of attention to."

Last night, officials from the university and State College gathered to speak to an audience of about 50 people. The event began Penn State's sixth annual observation of National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Rayman acted as facilitator for the event, which served as both a forum for discussion of issues surrounding job employment and disability, and an awards presentation to recognize the accomplishments of several individuals at the MBNA Career Services Center.

Throughout this month, Career Services will be offering a variety of workshops geared toward students with disabilities. The topics of these sessions will cover subjects from applying to graduate school, career planning, effective interviewing and job search strategies. All workshops will be held at the MBNA Career Services Center.

Angel Miles (senior-English) spoke to the audience on the different challenges she has faced as a person with disabilities.

"The number one concern I have as a person with a disability is dispelling the different myths," she said, adding that she felt one of the greatest myths is the belief that a physical disability necessarily signifies incompetence in other areas.

At the presentation, Career Services presented an Academic Recognition Award to a student who has overcome a disability to thrive in the classroom.

JoAnn Swaim (senior-mechanical engineering) was presented with the award for her contributions to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). She previously won awards from NASA as well.

"I believe that a disability can be considered an unexpected obstacle," said Swaim, who is legally blind. "As with any unexpected obstacle, it will take some work to get around it, but it certainly is possible."

A panel of speakers, including State College Mayor Bill Welch, Howard Adler of the State Civil Service Commission and Sue Kellerman and Cheri Banks of the Preservation Department of Pattee Library talked about disabilities in the work force.

Welch addressed the areas in which State College could work to improve its handling of people with disabilities, but said the borough has made great strides.

"I think that we've come a long way in accommodating mobility and physical issues," he said.

The area in which State College could most improve was how residents viewed disabled people, citing an example of stores' reluctancy to hire people with physical disabilities, Welch added.

Miles emphasized how a lack of information can stigmatize the disabled community.

"People will disabilities will never realize their full potential unless society gives them the opportunity to do so," she said.