The March issue of DisabilityNation is finally here and features coverage of the latest news and interviews focusing on issues important to people with disabilities.

If you're looking for work right now you know that finding employment is difficult because of the downturn in the economy. Fortunately, if you're a person with a disability there is a new web site that might be able to help. GettingHired launched just over 3 months ago and is already providing an outstanding service for those of us in the disability community.

The GettingHired Mission is to create sustainable employment growth and opportunity for people with disabilities. The GettingHired portal accomplishes its mission by serving and connecting job seekers with Disabilities, committed Employers, advocacy Organizations and service Providers.

The Gettinghired site has incorporated several unique free services designed to help people prepare for the work place and build their careers. The-social networking medium offers individuals a platform to connect with each other and career mentors. Job seekers will find opportunities posted by employers who expressly use the site through paid annual subscriptions to hire them. The portal identifies and highlights individual skills, talents and backgrounds. Right Match technology matches individual qualifications to specific job requirements facilitating employment success.

Gettinghired offers employers annual subscriptions that are a cost effective solution to identify and connect with qualified potential employees from a vastly under-utilized population segment. GettingHired continues to receive guidance from its active Advisory Council comprised of individuals dedicated to the advancement of people with disabilities. Many Advisory Council members hold leadership positions with organizations focused on representing and serving people with disabilities through advocacy and direct service.

This episode features an interview with Tom Muscalino, Chief Operating Officer of GettingHired. We'll learn more about the site and how its helping employers connect with job seekers.

Day Al-Mohamed is the producer of the Day in Washington Podcast and works as a policy analyst in Washington DC. Beginning with this episode she will be providing ongoing updates on national legislative and policy issues impacting people with disabilities. Listen to learn more about steps the Obama administration is taking that will benefit our community.

And finally, as noted in the December episode of DisabilityNation, I spent three weeks in January training with a new guide dog. I returned home on February 1 and, in the weeks since that time, have been reminded that not everyone has a good understanding of what a guide dog or service animal does for its handler.

The March issue of DN features an interview with Emily Simone from Guide Dogs for the Blind. Emily is a licensed guide dog instructor and provides follow-up services and support to teams in California and Colorado. Tune in to learn more about what a guide dog is, how they are trained, how they assist someone who is visually impaired and to learn more about Guide Dogs for the Blind.

More about GDB: Established in 1942, Guide Dogs for the Blind provides enhanced mobility and quality of life to people who are blind and visually impaired through lifetime partnerships with Guide Dogs. This non-profit organization, located in San Rafael, Calif. and Boring, Ore., is the largest school of its kind and has produced more than 11,000 partnerships across the United States and Canada.

Guide Dogs for the Blind is recognized worldwide as a model for innovative training, unprecedented support following graduation and success rate of their Guide Dog partnerships.
The organization breeds yellow and black Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, and Labrador Retriever/Golden Retriever crosses.

Guide Dogs for the Blind utilizes dogs with specific traits needed for guide work, including excellent health, intelligence and temperament as well as a willingness to work and thrive on praise. From the earliest stages of their lives, the puppies are cared for by a team of experts including full-time veterinarians and technicians supported by consulting specialists and volunteers.

At the age of 8 weeks to approximately 15-18 months, the young canines are raised by volunteer puppy raising families. The dogs then return to campus, where they receive formal training for 4-5 months to prepare them for their future career.

Each month throughout the year, new classes of approximately 25 students arrive at both campuses to meet their Guide Dogs and spend up to a month of in-residence training with them. Services are provided to students from the United States and Canada at no cost to them, including a Guide Dog, air transportation, room and board, training, equipment as well as financial assistance for veterinary care and alumni support services.

Upon the retirement of each Guide Dog, the graduate is invited to return to Guide Dogs for the Blind for training with a new Guide Dog. Additionally, Guide Dogs for the Blind helps ensure every one of its dogs is well cared for during its life, whether or not it becomes a Guide Dog.

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