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-71- [[underlined]] Program for the Handicapped. [[/underlined]] As of September 30, 1979, the Institution had 21 severely disabled persons in its work force. Through affirmative action, this was increased to 26 by the end of FY 1980. During the International Year of Disabled Persons, FY 1981, the Smithsonian will sponsor a number of programs and activities aimed at celebrating the artistic accomplishments of disabled persons. In addition, the Office of Equal Opportunity is funding a popular national puppet troupe, "The Kids on the Block," that will present disabilities' awareness sessions for Smithsonian staff and invited staff from area museums. [[underlined]] Upward Mobility. [[/underlined]] The upward mobility program has been strengthened and broadened to offer carefully selected employees an opportunity to take academic, technical, and vocational training to enhance career advancement. This newly expanded opportunity was made available in addition to the ongoing upward mobility process whereby positions are restructured to a lower entry level. The expanded program will broaden the pool of employees who are eligible for upward mobility. [[underlined]] Cooperative Education Program. [[/underlined]] The initial five Cooperative Education Program students are now preparing to return to their respective colleges or universities. Plans are complete to bring five additional, carefully selected students to the Institution beginning in January, 1981. The incoming five students will be assigned to: Radiation Biology Laboratory (a Black female biology/chemistry major); Accounting (2 Black male accounting majors); Audits (a White female finance management graduate student); [[underlined]] Smithsonian [[/underlined]] Magazine (an Hispanic accounting/marketing major). Plans are also being completed to assign a Black female physics major to the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory beginning in April, 1981.