October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). The goal of NDEAM is to raise awareness about disability employment issues and share the value that people with disabilities add to our workplaces and communities. Whether you are a parent, job-seeker, employer, or friend, here are three ideas to help you get involved this month.
1. Learn
NDEAM dates back to 1945, when Congress passed a law naming the first week of October “National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week.” The word “physically” was later removed in order to include the employment needs of people who have all kinds of disabilities. The week expanded into a month and took on a new name: National Disability Employment Awareness Month.
2. Share
Talk with your families, friends, and colleagues about the importance of hiring people with disabilities. Consider organizing a brown bag lunch in your office, working with the HR team, or even sharing this post on social media! There are lots of resources available online through the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy.Click the links below to find relevant resources:
3. Hire
If you, your family members, or friends own businesses, take action! Attend job fairs for people of all abilities, train management and supervisors on the importance of creating an inclusive workplace, and increase the diversity within your offices. You don’t need to go at it alone; there are supports available to help you learn what to do and set an example throughout your industry. Click the buttons at the end of this post to learn more.As a disability-focused organization, Exceptional Lives is committed to helping future employees prepare for employment, and guiding employers through the process of becoming a workplace inclusive of all abilities.
