TESTER Naval Air Station Patuxent River
Vol. 72, No. 45
Celebrating 72 Years of Community Partnership
DOD award Page 2
History beneath the runway Page 3
Accolades Page 4w
November 12, 2015
Are you willing to ASIST a shipmate? What you need to know:
U.S. Navy graphic
Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) is for everyone 16 or older-regardless of prior experience-who wants to be able to provide suicide first aid. Shown by major studies to significantly reduce suicidality, the ASIST model teaches effective intervention skills while helping to build suicide prevention networks in the community. If you’re a service member in crisis or know one who is, confidential support is only a phone call, click, or text away — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year.
• Has been in use since 1983 and has been consistently updated to ensure the training is as relevant and helpful in today’s society as possible. • Is a research based, peer reviewed process that has been evolving for 30 years. • Is the most widely recognized and used model for suicide prevention techniques in the nation • For more info on ASIST, visit www.livingworks.net/programs/ asist/ • Call the Military Crisis Line at 1-800-273-TALK (Option 1), text 838255 from a mobile device or visit www.militarycrisisline.net for confidential chat.
Commemorating Disability Employment Awareness Month By Emily Funderburk Total Force communications
October was National Disability Employment Awareness Month, which serves to recognize the contributions people with disabilities make to the economy. The theme for this year — which marked 70 years since the first observance — was “my disability is one part of who I am.” As of September 2015, 3,674 individuals with disabilities, including wounded warriors, work at NAVAIR, with 1,043 of them here at Patuxent River. NAVAIR’s Individuals with Disabilities Advisory Team, established in 2006, focuses on recruiting and retaining individuals with disabilities, individuals with targeted disabilities and wounded warriors. “Hiring, developing and retaining individuals with disabilities is critical for enhancing the culture of NAVAIR and, ultimately, succeeding in our mission,” said team member Janna Roberts. “NAVAIR’s emphasis on attracting and developing talent with diverse experiences and perspectives empowers the command to bring together individuals of different backgrounds and talents to develop innovative solutions for the Warfighter.” While studies by firms such as DuPont show
employees with disabilities are not absent any more than employees without disabilities, employment remains a problem. As of September 2015, people with disabilities experience a 10.4 percent unemployment rate, while people without disabilities are at 4.7 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Disability Employment Policy. NAVAIR’s team participates in annual disability mentoring days for students, meet-andgreet sessions and individuals with disabilities interviewer training for managers. NAVAIR also participates in an Active Duty Intern Program and the Naval Acquisition Development Program for wounded warriors to help recruit, hire, train and retain wounded warriors and people with disabilities. Most recently, the team hosted an informational fair Oct. 27 at three buildings at Patuxent River to spread awareness about reasonable accommodations and the Schedule A hiring authority. “More events like this will further educate the workforce and eliminate barriers for individuals with disabilities,” said team member Liz Strandberg. For more information on the Individuals with Disabilities Advisory Team, call 1-800-787-9804.
U.S. Navy photo by Steven Kays
Michelle Baker, far left, and Steve Cricchi discuss the Individuals with Disabilities Advisory Team and the reasonable accommodations process with employees in Building 2272 on Oct. 27 as part of a commemoration of National Disability Employment Awareness Month.
Accessibility etiquette
There are times when people are unsure how to interact with someone with a disability. Appropriate etiquette is based primarily on normal respect and courtesy. • Focus on effective communication, not on disability-related issues. • Talk directly to the individual, not through his/her interpreter or assistant. • Offer assistance before helping. Do not automatically take someone’s arm or assist him/her without asking. • If in doubt, ask what to do. Then, listen and follow the individual’s recommendation.