In October 2026, we celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), an annual recognition of the positive impact of people with disabilities in the American workforce. This yearly event began in 1945 as a weeklong national observance of the contributions of people with physical disabilities. In 1988, Congress designated the commemoration as NDEAM, which then evolved to acknowledge the importance of increasing employment opportunities for people with disabilities, including those with mental health conditions and other nonobvious disabilities. In 2001, ODEP was created and entrusted to administer NDEAM, including the selection and promotion of its annual theme.
This year’s NDEAM theme will be "Celebrating Value and Talent," carrying the spirit of last year's celebration forward through 2026 in honor of America's 250th birthday. We will recognize the skills and contributions Americans with disabilities add to the nation’s workplaces, communities, and economy. This year’s observance will play an important role in the department’s year-long celebration of the American worker in support of the nationwide Freedom 250 initiative.
- Read the news release
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Register for the 2026 NDEAM virtual event
Join us to celebrate the achievements of disabled workers in America and the 25th anniversary of the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP).
When: October 16, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. ET
Where: Streaming online. Register to receive the accessible event link
The program will cover the record-high number of working-age disabled Americans with jobs. ODEP's 25 years of impact, the road to financial independence, recovery-ready workplaces, and the future of work. Featured guests include Secretary Keith Sonderling, ODEP Assistant Secretary Julie Hocker, former ODEP Assistant Secretary Neil Romano, OSHA Assistant Secretary David Keeling, EBSA Assistant Secretary Daniel Aronowitz, and Co-Chair of the Great American Recovery Initiative Kathryn Burgum.
Watch the Videos
Poster colors:
- Azure: #00367b; RGB 0/54/123
- Cerulean: #3399ff; RGB 51/153/255
- Fuchsia: #911724; RGB 145/23/36
- Khaki: #d4a649; RGB 212/166/73
- Light blue: #81d4f7; RGB 129/212/247
- Red: # ff0000; RGB 255/0/0
- Sunglow: #ffcc33; RGB 255/204/51
- Violet: #1e002b; RGB 30/0/43
Poster description:
The poster is rectangular in shape with a red, gold, or light blue background and an array of red, white and blue graphical fireworks of different sizes. Five of these fireworks frame photos of people with disabilities working in various environments. Below the images, the words “Celebrating Value and Talent, National Disability Employment Awareness Month” appear. Across the bottom are a logo that says, “Freedom 250,” the DOL seal followed by the words “Office of Disability Employment Policy, United States Department of Labor,” hashtag #NDEAM on top of the website address dol.gov/odep, and a logo that says, “ODEP 25th anniversary.”
2026 NDEAM Virtual Backgrounds
Plan NDEAM Observances
How can you celebrate NDEAM? There are lots of ways! Explore the ideas below, designed for:
Ideas for Employers and Employees
The workplace is an important part of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM)
The ideas below are just a few ways employers and their employees can contribute, during October and all year long.
Review policies
NDEAM is a timely opportunity to review your company's policies and ensure that they convey a commitment to an accessible workplace culture.
Create a display
NDEAM is also a great time to freshen up bulletin boards in break areas or other workplace locations frequented by employees by posting positive messages about your company's commitment to providing accommodations to people with disabilities. Start by displaying this year's NDEAM poster. Additional materials include the "What Can YOU Do?" poster series.
Train supervisors
Within any workforce, supervisors are the closest people to the organization's employees. As part of NDEAM, consider conducting training to ensure that supervisors understand their role in fostering a disability-friendly workplace culture. Such training may include a review of relevant policies, including the process for providing reasonable accommodations. One easy way to provide such training is to make use of available "turn-key" training modules and available materials, such as those available from the Campaign for Disability Employment.
Educate employees
Companies committed to disability-friendly workplaces may consider reinforcing that commitment regularly and effectively to employees. NDEAM offers an opportunity to do this, whether through disability training or informal educational events such as brown-bag lunch discussions. Several ready-to-use resources can assist in facilitating such activities, such as disability etiquette materials and videos with accompanying discussion guides. Another option is to contact local disability organizations to see if they offer workplace training programs.
Publish articles
NDEAM offers timely and fresh content for an employee newsletter or internal website. Articles may address a range of topics, such as general information about the process for requesting reasonable accommodations or perhaps recognizing the contributions of employees with disabilities—either in general or on an individual level. In addition, your company's top executive may send a message to all employees recognizing NDEAM.
Feature NDEAM on social media
NDEAM provides an interesting hook for content on social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X—include the hashtag #NDEAM! Organizations can also use our sample key messages to help incorporate NDEAM into their social media activities.
Issue an NDEAM press release
Employers can issue a press release to local media announcing their involvement in NDEAM. Use our "fill-in-the-blank" template to customize your pitches to local media.
Join Disability Mentoring Day
Disability Mentoring Day promotes career development for youth with disabilities through hands-on programs, job shadowing, and ongoing mentoring. The nationwide observance is held the third Wednesday of October, but companies can host their events any day of the month (or year for that matter).
Ideas for Educators and Youth Service Professionals
Youth-serving professionals play a critical role during National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM).
Hold a discussion
NDEAM is an opportune time to discuss disability employment with students, particularly those who are old enough to consider career options and learn about the world of work. One easy way to get the conversation started is to use the "I Can" video and accompanying youth discussion guide.
Create a display
NDEAM is a great time to freshen up bulletin boards. Start by displaying this year's NDEAM poster or download our customizable poster, which allows you to substitute photos of your own organization's employees. Additional materials include posters from the Campaign for Disability Employment. Educational supply stores may also offer materials with positive images featuring people with disabilities in various community and employment settings.
Organize an assembly
Another way to celebrate NDEAM is to hold an assembly addressing the topic of disability employment, with tailored, age-appropriate content. The assembly could feature guest speakers from local disability service organizations or people with disabilities in various professions who could talk about their jobs, interests, and experiences. Note that any career exploration event, such as a traditional career day—whether held during NDEAM or any other time of year—should always include people with disabilities.
Engage student leaders
Faculty advisors to groups such as student councils and student-led media can suggest NDEAM as a possible hook for content or activities during October. For example, a student council may invite a local community leader with a disability to come speak about their experiences. Student reporters could interview such an individual, write an article, or produce a segment on the contributions of many famous people with disabilities throughout America's history.
Ideas for State Governors, Legislators, and Other Policymakers
Policymakers play a key role in advancing the spirit of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM).
The ideas below are just a few ways governors, state legislators, and other policymakers can take part in NDEAM during October and all year long.
Establish a Legislative Disability Awareness Day
Establish an annual Legislative Disability Awareness Day to explore bills that will help improve employment outcomes for people with disabilities. For example, the New York State Assembly has used the day to highlight disability rights and pass a package of bills aimed at empowering disabled people.
Hold a Disability Employment Awareness Poster Contest
Hold an annual poster contest and distribute the winning artwork to employers across the state to promote employment opportunities for people with disabilities. The Office of the Texas Governor's Committee on People with Disabilities hosts their annual Disability Employment Awareness Month Poster contest to spark conversations on the employment of people with disabilities across the state.
Create an NDEAM proclamation or statement
State and local officials can customize an NDEAM proclamation to promote in the community and/or through the local media and post the signed proclamation in their organization's office or other facilities. To help, see this sample NDEAM proclamation language.
Sign "state as a model employer" executive orders
Governors can sign executive orders to examine state policies and create task forces that study workforce development in state government for people with disabilities.
Create a display
NDEAM is a great time to freshen up bulletin boards in break areas or other locations that staff members frequent by posting positive messages about your office's commitment to disability employment. Start by displaying this year's NDEAM poster. Additional materials include posters from the Campaign for Disability Employment.
Educate staff members
Offices committed to disability employment should regularly and effectively communicate and demonstrate that commitment to staff. NDEAM offers an opportunity to do this through disability training or informal educational events such as brown-bag lunch discussions. Several ready-to-use resources can also help facilitate such activities, such as disability etiquette materials and videos with accompanying discussion guides. Another option is to contact local disability organizations to see if they offer workplace training programs.
Feature NDEAM on social media
NDEAM provides an interesting hook for content on social media, including on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X—include the hashtag #NDEAM! Sample key messages are also available to help you incorporate NDEAM into your social media and other activities.
Issue an NDEAM press release
Policymakers can issue a press release to local media or distribute it through email lists to announce their involvement in NDEAM. Use our "fill-in-the-blank" template to customize your pitch to local media.
Post an NDEAM weblink
Keep your website up-to-date and complete by adding an NDEAM link to your homepage. You can use a thumbnail image of the NDEAM poster or a simple text headline to link to your own content or ODEP's NDEAM page.
Develop a disability employment webpage
NDEAM is a great time to unveil a dedicated disability employment webpage listing tools and resources to help visitors understand disability employment-related issues and implement steps to foster a supportive workplace. Two excellent resources include the Job Accommodation Network (JAN) and the Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability (EARN). For additional ideas, visit the ODEP website.
Launch or sponsor a state apprenticeship, internship, or fellowship program
Governors and state and local legislators can sign an executive order, enact legislation, or pass a resolution establishing an apprenticeship, internship, or fellowship program within state or local agencies for students with disabilities. State and local officials can also recruit interns with disabilities to their own staff.
Join Disability Mentoring Day
Disability Mentoring Day promotes career development for youth with disabilities through hands-on programs, job shadowing, and ongoing mentoring. The nationwide observance is held on the third Wednesday of October, but policymakers may choose to host events on any day of the month (or year for that matter).
Reach out to local media
NDEAM presents an opportunity for organizations to increase their visibility through local TV, radio, and print media. Ideas include writing an op-ed or letter to the editor about the value and talent people with disabilities bring to the workplace and community, or encouraging local news media to run a feature on one or more local employers observing NDEAM.
Ideas for Associations and Unions
Your organization can play an important role in promoting National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM)
The ideas below are just a few ways you can contribute.
Feature NDEAM in your magazine or newsletter
NDEAM offers timely and fresh content for magazines or newsletters. Articles can inform members about NDEAM and its purpose, as well as give specific ideas for how members can implement relevant activities within their organization. For content ideas, see our "Ideas for Employers and Employees" page or simply use one of the NDEAM "drop-in" articles, below, which can be easily tailored by inserting your organization's name where prompted.
Feature NDEAM on social media
NDEAM provides an interesting hook for content on social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X—include the hashtag #NDEAM! NDEAM key messages are also available to assist in incorporating NDEAM into social media activities.
Post an NDEAM weblink
Adding an NDEAM link to your homepage keeps your website current and your visitors informed. Use a thumbnail image of the NDEAM poster or a simple text headline to link to your own content or directly to our ideas for employers and employees.
Send a "president's message" about NDEAM
Association or union leaders can take advantage of NDEAM to send a special email to members encouraging them to participate and offering relevant guidance. In addition, NDEAM can be incorporated into speeches or the president's column in your organization's monthly publication.
Hold an NDEAM "brown-bag lunch," webcast, or teleconference
NDEAM presents an opportune time for local organizations, such as chambers of commerce to sponsor a brown-bag lunch or informal seminars on the topic of disability employment. Webcasts or teleconferences may be more appropriate for national organizations. Sources for speakers for such events include various national and state disability-related organizations.
Develop a disability employment webpage
NDEAM is a great time to unveil a dedicated webpage listing tools and resources to help members understand disability employment-related issues and implement steps to foster a supportive workplace. Two excellent resources include the Job Accommodation Network (JAN) and the Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability (EARN). For additional ideas, visit the ODEP website.
Distribute NDEAM posters
Sometimes, a tangible, nondigital missive can make a memorable impact and reinforce the value of association membership. Associations can send their members a copy of the NDEAM poster to hang in employee break areas or other locations frequented by employees to promote a positive message. Likewise, unions can send posters to their locals.
Associations, unions and employers alike, are also encouraged to recognize NDEAM among their staff. For ideas, see our "Ideas for Employers and Employees" page.
Ideas for Disability-Related Organizations
Lead your community's celebration of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM)
Post an NDEAM weblink
An NDEAM link on your website reinforces your commitment to increasing disability employment and gives local employers access to ideas for implementing NDEAM activities in their workplaces. Use a thumbnail image of the NDEAM poster and link to our main NDEAM webpage.
Hold an NDEAM "management breakfast" or "brown-bag lunch"
NDEAM presents an opportunity to sponsor an informal seminar or panel presentation for local employers about the benefits of disability employment. You can also use such events to allow disability-related organizations to promote their efforts and earn additional sponsorships or support from local businesses.
Hold a poster contest
The NDEAM theme (or any disability employment-related slogan used by your organization) could serve as the theme for a poster contest for local youth. Display winning posters publicly for the community and encourage community and business leaders and the media to recognize the artists at a reception or other event.
Feature NDEAM in your newsletter
NDEAM offers timely and fresh content for organizational publications or social media activities. Articles can inform community members about NDEAM and encourage them to approach their employers about participating in some way.
Feature NDEAM on social media
NDEAM provides an interesting hook for content on social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X—include the hashtag #NDEAM! Sample key messages are available to assist in incorporating NDEAM into social media and other activities.
Distribute NDEAM posters
Just before or during NDEAM is a great time to pay a quick visit to local employers to provide a free NDEAM poster that they can hang in employee break areas or other locations that employees frequent. The posters can spark a larger discussion about what else employers can do to help support efforts to increase the employment of people with disabilities.
Reach out to local media
NDEAM presents an opportunity for disability-related organizations to increase their visibility through local TV, radio, and print media. Ideas include writing an op-ed or letter to the editor about the value and talent people with disabilities bring to the workplace and community, or encouraging local news media to run a feature on one or more local employers observing NDEAM.
Develop a disability employment webpage
NDEAM is a great time to unveil a dedicated disability employment webpage for local employers listing tools and resources to help them understand related issues and implement steps to foster a workplace supportive of disability employment. Two examples of resources to include are the Job Accommodation Network (JAN) and the Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability (EARN). For additional ideas on things to include on such a page, visit the ODEP website.
Disability-related organizations, as employers themselves, are also encouraged to recognize NDEAM among their staff. See our "Ideas for Employers and Employees" page for examples.
Ideas for Federal Agencies
The Federal Government is committed to becoming a model employer of people with disabilities
Federal agencies are highly encouraged to take part in National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). The ideas below are just a few ways they can do so, in addition to the general ideas for employers and employees.
Join FEED
NDEAM is a great time to get involved with the Federal Exchange on Employment and Disability (FEED), an interagency working group focused on information sharing, best practices, and collaborative partnerships designed to make the Federal Government a model employer of people with disabilities. Membership is open to federal employees at any level whose job duties involve the employment of people with disabilities, including recruitment, hiring, retention, and advancement.
Access the Workforce Recruitment Program
The Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP) connects federal and private-sector employers with qualified, prescreened college students and recent graduates with disabilities seeking work. Coordinated by ODEP and the U.S. Department of Defense, the WRP runs year-round, with the database of participants updated each December. Federal agencies can access the WRP during NDEAM or anytime to fill permanent jobs or to seek candidates for summer positions for the coming year. More than 50 federal agencies already take advantage of the WRP—make sure yours is one of them!
Feature NDEAM on social media
NDEAM provides an interesting hook for content on social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X—include the hashtag #NDEAM! Key messages are available to assist in incorporating NDEAM into social media and other activities.