NDEAM Key Messages

NDEAM Graphics

Alt text for image:
2024 NDEAM poster shows a road leading to round photos of diverse disabled workers in various workplaces. Says “Access to Good Jobs for All, National Disability Employment Awareness Month, #NDEAM and dol.gov/odep."

NDEAM Messaging

General

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month! Learn more at dol.gov/NDEAM. #NDEAM

The theme for National Disability Employment Awareness Month (#NDEAM) is “Access to Good Jobs for All.” Learn more! dol.gov/NDEAM

Good jobs change lives, and all workers—including disabled workers—deserve the opportunity to prepare for, obtain and succeed in them. Reflecting this, “Access to Good Jobs for All” is this year’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month (#NDEAM) theme. Learn more at dol.gov/NDEAM

The theme for National Disability Employment Awareness Month (#NDEAM) 2024 is “Access to Good Jobs for All.” Learn more in this announcement from Assistant Secretary of Labor for Disability Employment Policy Taryn M. Williams. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1uTmUw-EYE 

How are you observing National Disability Employment Awareness Month? dol.gov/NDEAM #NDEAM

What does workplace inclusion look like? Share your images during National Disability Employment Awareness Month. dol.gov/NDEAM #NDEAM

Employer Resources

Inclusive apprenticeship programs help employers access a wider talent pool. Learn how to start or expand an #apprenticeship program: dol.gov/agencies/odep/program-areas/apprenticeship #NDEAM

The Job Accommodation Network helps employers increase access and opportunity for #PWD, during National Disability Employment Awareness Month and all year long: AskJAN.org #NDEAM @JANatJAN

Want to cast a wide net when hiring? Make sure you’re not omitting qualified applicants with disabilities. @AskEARN can help employers increase access to good jobs for all. AskEARN.org #NDEAM

Want to build a strong, inclusive workforce? Check out this free online toolkit from @JANatJAN with tools to create a more disability-inclusive and compliant workplace: AskJAN.org/toolkit #NDEAM

Employers: Are you using accessible technology to increase access and opportunity for people with disabilities? The Partnership on Employment and Accessible Technology can help: PEATWorks.org #NDEAM @PEATWorks

Learn how @USDOL’s Office of Disability Employment Policy helps advance access to good jobs for all, including America’s workers with disabilities. dol.gov/agencies/odep #NDEAM

The Campaign for Disability Employment, an initiative of @USDOL’s Office of Disability Employment Policy, offers PSAs and more that employers can incorporate into National Disability Employment Awareness Month celebrations: WhatCanYouDoCampaign.org @CDETweets #NDEAM

Long COVID Resources

Are you experiencing #LongCOVID? Learn about workplace tools and accommodations that can help you keep working during your recovery. #NDEAM #LongCOVIDResponse dol.gov/agencies/odep/topics/coronavirus-covid-19-long-covid/workers

Members Encouraged to Participate in National Disability Employment Awareness Month 

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), and the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) encourages businesses and organizations across the country to participate.

Held annually, NDEAM educates about disability employment topics and celebrates the many and varied contributions of America's workers with disabilities. Although national in scope, NDEAM’s true spirit lies in the many observances held at the grassroots level. Employers of all sizes and in all industries can take part.

For specific ideas about how <ORGANIZATION NAME> members can support National Disability Employment Awareness Month, visit dol.gov/NDEAM. Suggestions range from simple, such as putting up a poster (English | Spanish), to comprehensive, such as implementing a disability education program. Regardless, all play an important part in fostering a more accessible and equitable workforce, one where all people are recognized for their abilities—every day of every month. 

Locals and District Councils Encouraged to Participate in National Disability Employment Awareness Month

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, and the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) encourages unions and other worker organizations across the country to participate.

Held annually, National Disability Employment Awareness Month educates about disability employment issues and celebrates the many and varied contributions of America's workers with disabilities. Although national in scope, NDEAM’s true spirit lies in the many observances held at the grassroots level. Organizations of all sizes and in all industries can take part.

For specific ideas about how <UNION NAME> members can support National Disability Employment Awareness Month, visit the ODEP website at dol.gov/NDEAM. Suggestions range from simple, such as putting up a poster (English | Spanish), to comprehensive, such as implementing a disability education program. Regardless, all play an important part in fostering a more accessible and equitable workforce, one where all people are recognized for their abilities—every day of every month.

NDEAM Sample Proclamation

[Consider customizing this proclamation language and requesting that your mayor, governor or organization leader proclaim NDEAM. Then, promote that leader's official proclamation among your community and/or through the local media, and post the signed proclamation at your organization's office or other facilities.] 

RECOGNIZING AND COMMEMORATING THE 79TH ANNIVERSARY OF NATIONAL DISABILITY AWARENESS MONTH

Recognizing and commemorating the 79th anniversary of National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

79th Anniversary of National Disability Employment Awareness Month

WHEREAS, October 2024 marks the 79th anniversary of National Disability Employment Awareness Month; and 

WHEREAS, The purpose of National Disability Employment Awareness Month is to educate about disability employment issues and celebrate the many and varied contributions of America's workers with disabilities; and 

WHEREAS, The history of NDEAM traces back to 1945, when it started as a week and focused only on people with physical disabilities.  

WHEREAS, Later, it expanded to a full month, and its name and scope evolved to acknowledge the importance of increasing the workforce inclusion of people with all nature of disabilities.  

WHEREAS, Workplaces welcoming of the talents of all people, including people with disabilities, are a critical part of our efforts to build an inclusive community and strong economy; and 

WHEREAS, Activities during this month will reinforce the value and talent people with disabilities add to our workplaces and communities and affirm [city’s/county’s/state’s] commitment to increasing access to good jobs for all workers, including disabled workers. 

Therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the [state/city/county of …] recognize and commemorate the 79th anniversary of National Disability Employment Awareness Month; and be it further 

RESOLVED, That the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy and [state/city/county of ……] call upon employers, schools, and other community organizations in [city/county, state of…] to observe October with appropriate programs and activities, to ensure that disabled workers have access to good jobs every month of every year; and be it further 

RESOLVED, That the [state/city/county of…] pledge to continue to take steps throughout the year to recruit, hire, retain, and advance individuals with disabilities and work to pursue the goals of opportunity, full participation, economic self-sufficiency, and independent living for people with disabilities.

NDEAM Sample Participation Press Release

[Cut and paste this press release onto your organization's letterhead and customize it as necessary. Send to your local media just before or at the start of NDEAM]

MEDIA CONTACT:
<NAME OF COMMUNICATIONS CONTACT AT ORGANIZATION>
<EMAIL ADDRESS>
<PHONE NUMBER>

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(City, State) — Date — <NAME OF ORGANIZATION> today announced it is joining the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy in recognizing National Disability Employment Awareness Month, an annual awareness campaign that takes place each October. The purpose of National Disability Employment Awareness Month is to educate about disability employment issues and celebrate the many and varied contributions of America's workers with disabilities. This year's theme is "Access to Good Jobs for All."

The history of NDEAM traces back to 1945, when it started as a week and focused only on people with physical disabilities. Later, it expanded to a full month, and its name and scope evolved to acknowledge the importance of increasing the workforce inclusion of people with all nature of disabilities.

“Our communities and economy are strengthened by the inclusion of all people, including people with disabilities,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Disability Employment Policy Taryn M. Williams. “Their contributions have historically been vital to our nation’s success and are more important today than ever. We must build an accessible, equitable economy that fully includes the talent and drive of those with disabilities.”

Reflecting this year's theme, throughout the month, <NAME OF ORGANIZATION> will be engaging in a variety of activities to educate its <EMPLOYEES/MEMBERS> on disability employment issues and its commitment to an accessible and equitable work culture. These efforts include <EXAMPLES OF PLANNED ACTIVITIES>.

"<NAME OF ORGANIZATION > is proud to be a part of this year's National Disability Employment Awareness Month," said <NAME OF SPOKESPERSON>. "We want to spread the important message that we value all perspectives, including those of individuals with disabilities."

Employers and employees in all industries can learn more about how to participate in National Disability Employment Awareness Month and ways they can promote its messages—during October and throughout the year—by visiting dol.gov/NDEAM.

Accessibility Tips

As you promote NDEAM through your channels, here are a few tips to help you ensure that your posts are accessible to everyone. For more detailed guidance, visit DigitalGov's social media accessibility toolkit.

• Make sure your profile page includes alternative contact options, like an accessible "contact us" form or toll-free phone number, or an email link to somebody who can assist people with questions.
• Write social media posts informally and in plain language. Avoid abbreviations and spell out acronyms.
• Use @mentions to tag other organizations on social media and use relevant hashtags on keywords and phrases to categorize posts.
• For multi-word hashtags, capitalize the first letters of each section of a compound word (#LikeThisExample).
• Provide closed captioning for YouTube videos. You can do this automatically, or you can add and edit captions manually.
• Add captions to Facebook video posts. Make sure captions are turned on for live videos.
• Link to pages with full captions or transcripts of photos, videos or audio.
• Avoid using emojis, or at least refrain from using excessive emojis in posts.
• Describe your photos in the caption of social media posts on Instagram.
• Turn on image description settings in Twitter and compose descriptive text to make images accessible. Note that this setting doesn’t work for GIFs.
• Add and edit alternative text descriptions to images posted on Facebook.
• If possible, test your tweet with assistive technology before posting it.

For additional resources regarding social media accessibility, visit the Partnership on Employment & Accessible Technology at PEATworks.org.