For employers, NDEAM presents an opportune time to review company policies to ensure they convey a commitment to workplace culture inclusive of people with disabilities. For assistance in doing so, access Inclusion@Work: A Framework for Building a Disability-Inclusive Organization (see in particular the first section, "Lead the Way: Inclusive Business Culture").
Employers can consider conducting training for supervisors to ensure they understand their role in fostering an inclusive 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.
For employers, NDEAM is a great time to reinforce a commitment to an inclusive workplace 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 the "I Can" public service announcement and accompanying workplace discussion guide. Another option is to contact local disability organizations to see if they offer workplace training programs.
Employers, schools and community-based organizations can issue a press release to local media to announce their involvement in NDEAM. To assist, a "fill-in-the-blank" template is available that can be quickly customized.
Disability Mentoring Day promotes career development for youth with disabilities through hands-on programs, job shadowing and ongoing mentoring. The nationwide observance is the third Wednesday October, but employers may choose to host events on any day of the month (or year for that matter).
NDEAM provides an interesting hook for social media platforms, including Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. For the latter, organizations are encouraged to include the hashtag #NDEAM. Sample key messages are available to assist in incorporating NDEAM into social media activities, as are tips for making tweets accessible.
For employers, NDEAM is a perfect time to launch a disability Employee Resource Group (ERG) if one doesn't already exist. Sometimes referred to as Employee Networks or Affinity Groups, ERGs offer employees an opportunity to connect and receive support from others with similar backgrounds or interests. For more information, see A Toolkit for Establishing and Maintaining Successful Employee Resource Groups. If your company already has a disability ERG, consider using NDEAM to remind employees about it through displays, information tables or other communication channels. Find more resources for employers at the Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability Inclusion.
For schools, NDEAM presents an opportune time to discuss the topic of disability employment with students, particularly those at an age when they are considering career options and learning about the world of work. One easy way to do so is to use the "I Can" public service announcement and accompanying youth discussion guide.
Schools can hold an assembly addressing the topic of disability employment, with content tailored as appropriate for age. Such an assembly might feature guest speakers from local disability service organizations and/or people with disabilities in various professions willing to talk about their jobs, interests and experiences. Related to this, it is important to ensure that any career exploration event, such as a traditional career day (whether held during NDEAM or any other time of year), includes the perspectives of people with disabilities.
Despite the number of people with disabilities in the U.S. and the fact that they represent all races, classes, and cultures, many people are unaware of the rich history of the disability movement. To fill this gap, some states require schools to teach about disability history each year. For an overview of major milestones in disability history and resources for educators to enhance awareness of it, see Disability History: An Important Part of America's Heritage [PDF].
In youth service provider organizations, it is imperative that staff have the knowledge, skills and abilities to effectively serve youth with disabilities, especially those transitioning from school to work. Key tools to assist in improving this capacity — during NDEAM and all year round — are available through ODEP's Center for Advancing Policy on Employment for Youth (CAPE-Youth).
In schools, faculty advisors to groups such as student councils and student-led media can suggest NDEAM as a possible hook for content during October. For example, a student council might invite a local community leader with a disability to a meeting to speak about his or her experiences. Likewise, student reporters might interview such an individual or write an article/produce a segment on the contributions of many famous people with disabilities throughout America's history.
For associations or unions, NDEAM offers timely and fresh content for magazines or newsletters. Articles can inform members about NDEAM and its purpose, as well as specific ideas for how members can implement relevant activities within their organization. To help, use one of the NDEAM "drop-in" articles that can be quickly tailored by inserting your organization's name where prompted.
Whether you're an employer, school or service provider, an NDEAM link on your website demonstrates your commitment to advancing disability employment and keep your website dynamic and up to date. To create a link, use the NDEAM poster thumbnail image (English | Spanish) or a simple text headline and link it to an article on your website or directly to the list of ideas for employers and employees.
Disability-related organizations can cultivate community-wide support for NDEAM by asking their mayor, governor or other officials to formally proclaim the event. A template that organizations can easily customize is available to assist in soliciting such a proclamation. In addition, community leaders could be encouraged to mention NDEAM during various public appearances leading up to and during October.
For disability-related organizations, NDEAM is a great time to sponsor an informal seminar or panel presentation for local employers on the topic of disability employment and the benefits of a disability-inclusive workplace. Such an event also offers the opportunity for disability-related organizations to promote their overall efforts and possibly earn additional sponsorships and support from local businesses.
For disability-related organizations, NDEAM presents an opportunity to increase their visibility through local TV, radio and print media. Ideas include writing an op-ed piece or letter to the editor about the value and talent people with disabilities have to offer in the workplace and community or encouraging local TV or radio news to run a feature on one or more local employers observing the month.
During NDEAM and year round, federal employers can use the Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP) to identify qualified, pre-screened college students and recent graduates with disabilities for summer and permanent positions for the coming year. The WRP is coordinated by ODEP and the U.S. Department of Defense, and its database of participants is updated annually.
Employers, service providers and individuals can receive free, confidential and expert one-on-one guidance on workplace accommodations and disability employment issues during NDEAM and year round from the Job Accommodation Network (JAN). Just visit AskJAN.org or call 1-800-526-7234 or 1-877-781-9403 (TTY).
Today, job application and on-boarding processes are increasingly conducted electronically. For employers, it is essential to ensure that all qualified applicants can get in the "virtual" door. NDEAM is a great time to assess the accessibility of the technical side of an organization's recruiting operations. To help, the Partnership on Employment & Accessible Technology (PEAT) developed TalentWorks — a free tool to help employers and HR professionals ensure their eRecruiting tools are accessible to everyone.
For employers, NDEAM is a great time to learn how you can take action to expand employment opportunities for people with disabilities by joining a business organization committed to increasing the employment of people with disabilities.
During NDEAM, and all year round, employers should ensure their internship opportunities are open to all qualified candidates, including those with disabilities. For help in this area, check out ODEP's Inclusive Internship Programs: A How-to Guide for Employers [PDF]. The free publication discusses the value of internships and effective practices for recruiting and retaining interns with disabilities.
Through the voices of several individuals, among them Major League Baseball great Cal Ripken Jr., the "Working Works" public service announcement explores the many reasons people work, including after injury or illness. It also touches upon the important roles different people - including employers, colleagues, healthcare professionals, and family members - play in supporting people who acquire disabilities during their working years to stay in the workforce. Consider showing it and using one of its three accompanying discussion guides to spark discussion about stay-at-work and return-to-work among co-workers, employer representatives or healthcare professionals in a group setting.
The Campaign for Disability Employment's "Because" public service announcement reminds us to instill the expectation of employment in young people with disabilities. Consider sharing it with colleagues, friends and loved ones during NDEAM to reinforce the importance of life experiences that can lead to the employment of people with disabilities. The PSA features seven people who are pursuing and realizing their goals and passions as a result of the support and encouragement they received from everyday people in their lives.
The Campaign for Disability Employment's award-winning "I Can" Public Service Announcement (PSA) features seven people with disabilities - not actors - sharing what they can do when given the opportunity. NDEAM is a great time to share it among friends and family as a way to reinforce the campaign's core message that "at work, it's what people CAN do that matters."
In the Campaign for Disability Employment's "Who I Am" public service announcement, nine real people with disabilities illustrate that their disabilities are only one part of who they are. Rather than be defined by disability, they are the sum of their many life roles - which includes working in jobs they love. NDEAM is a great time to share this PSA and spread its important message.
During NDEAM and all year round, educators and youth service providers can help youth - both with and without disabilities - sharpen their workplace readiness skills by ordering and using the "Skills to Pay the Bills: Mastering Soft Skills for Workplace Success" series, which includes a classroom-style curriculum and set of videos with accompanying discussion guide. The curriculum comprises modular, hands-on activities that focus on six key interpersonal skills. The video series can be used as a complement to the curriculum or alone. Mail-order DVDs of the videos include a discussion guide with "conversation starters" to help spark discussions among youth about the importance of interpersonal skills to career and personal success.
During NDEAM, employers can identify strategies for proactively advertising job openings where they may be more likely to reach candidates with disabilities. Examples include American Job Centers, state vocational rehabilitation agencies, Employment Networks under the Ticket to Work program, independent living centers, and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs regional offices. Disability student services offices at educational institutions and non-profit and social service agencies may also be of assistance.
NDEAM is a great time for employers to learn or refresh their knowledge about the importance of accessible technology to the employment of people with disabilities. The ODEP-funded Partnership on Employment & Accessible Technology (PEAT) offers a lot of resources, including a primer called Accessible Technology Action Steps: A Guide for Employers.
The purpose of NDEAM is to foster a more inclusive workforce, one where every person is recognized for his or her abilities - every day of every month.
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