October is National Disability Employment Awareness month! Led by Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy, this observance gives us the opportunity to promote the contributions and achievements made by people with disabilities in America’s workforce and economy.
Spotlight on Equity
This year’s theme is “Disability: Part of the Equity Equation.” Persons with disabilities are the largest minority (underserved?) population in the nation – and the numbers continue to grow. Like other marginalized groups, they are often overlooked, and their talents go unrecognized.
Raise Awareness
This month we have the chance to raise awareness about the benefits and value that workers with disabilities can bring to a business. There are lots of ways to advocate for a more inclusive workforce that ensures each person is recognized for their abilities and strengths.
Celebrate Inclusivity
Here are some ideas and resources to help in your awareness raising awareness about the benefit of hiring people with disabilities including sharing messages on your website, in your newsletter, or on your social media channels about increasing workplace diversity by hiring people with disabilities
Find out more ideas and resources to share on these websites:
- The Official Department of Labor Office of Disability Employment Policy NDEAM website offers social media messages, posters, media releases and lots of other great content to share.
- If you’re looking for ideas, the Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE) has a wide array of activities and events that individuals and organizations can tap into. Visit the APSE website to participate!
- Join the Campaign for Disability Employment (CDE), a series of powerful public service announcements (PSAs) designed to challenge misconceptions about the employment of people with disabilities and reinforce the roles we all play in fostering an inclusive workforce that benefits everyone.
- From National Today, find out more about the history of NDEAM, 5 Fascinating Facts, and more ways to observe.
- Visit the United States Census Bureau’s page on NDEAM to explore and share their Living with Disabilities Infographic and access more disability statistics.
