National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) is celebrated in October every year in the United States. The observance aims to raise awareness of the employment needs and contributions of individuals with disabilities, promote inclusive hiring practices, and honor the many achievements of these individuals in the workforce.
NDEAM traces its roots back to 1945, when Congress declared the first week of October “National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week.” The observance has since evolved to encompass all individuals with disabilities and has been extended to the full month of October.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the theme for NDEAM 2021 is “America’s Recovery: Powered by Inclusion,” which recognizes the importance of ensuring that all Americans have access to the necessary resources to obtain good jobs and contribute to the nation’s economy. This year’s theme is particularly relevant, given the COVID-19 pandemic’s ongoing economic impact on the country.
During National Disability Employment Awareness Month, various organizations and agencies, such as the Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), host events and promote resources to increase disability employment awareness. These resources include career fairs, webinars, training programs, and disability etiquette guides.
Here are some ways to participate in NDEAM and support the employment of individuals with disabilities:
- Participate in local events: Many organizations, including disability advocacy groups and employment services providers, host events during NDEAM. These events may include workshops, job fairs, and guest speaker presentations. Participating in these events can help raise awareness of the importance of disability employment.
- Learn about disability employment issues: Take time to learn about the challenges and barriers that individuals with disabilities face when seeking employment. The Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy has a wealth of information and resources available on its website.
- Promote inclusive hiring practices: Encourage your workplace or business to adopt inclusive hiring practices, such as actively recruiting individuals with disabilities, providing reasonable accommodations, and creating a culture of diversity and inclusion.
- Support disability-owned businesses: Seek out and support businesses that are owned by individuals with disabilities. Many of these businesses offer unique products and services and provide valuable job opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
- Advocate for policy change: Support policy changes that promote disability employment and inclusion, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).
If you are an individual with a disability looking for employment, or if you are an employer seeking to hire individuals with disabilities, the Office of Disability Employment Policy’s Job Accommodation Network (JAN) provides free, confidential consulting services to help with workplace accommodations and disability employment issues.
In conclusion, National Disability Employment Awareness Month is an important observance that aims to increase awareness and promote the employment of individuals with disabilities. By participating in local events, learning about disability employment issues, promoting inclusive hiring practices, supporting disability-owned businesses, and advocating for policy change, we can all help create a more inclusive and equitable workforce.
For more information and resources on National Disability Employment Awareness Month, visit the Office of Disability Employment Policy’s website at https://www.dol.gov/agencies/odep/initiatives/ndeam.