Learn about past NDEAM activities and download posters from prior years.
NDEAM 2023: Advancing Access and Equity
Observed each October, National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) celebrates the contributions of America’s workers with disabilities past and present and showcases supportive, inclusive employment policies and practices that benefit employers and employees. ODEP has chosen "Advancing Access and Equity" as the theme for NDEAM 2023. NDEAM en español.
- NDEAM Animated Video Descriptive Transcript
- Read the 2023 blog
- Read the 2023 news release
- Read the 2023 Presidential proclamation
NDEAM Poster 2023
Poster Description
The poster is rectangular in shape with
a white background. The words, “Advancing Access & Equity, National Disability Employment Awareness Month, Celebrating 50 years of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973” are placed to the right of a field of red, gray, teal, blue and yellow arrows. Mixed within the arrows are diverse images of people with disabilities in workplace settings. Along the top in small gray letters are the hashtags “NDEAM” and “RehabAct50” followed by the website address, dol.gov/ODEP. In the lower right corner is the DOL seal followed by the words “Office of Disability Employment Policy, United States Department of Labor” as well as the Rehabilitation Act 50 logo.
Mes Nacional de Concientización Sobre el Empleo de Personas con Discapacidades
Cada octubre, el Mes Nacional de Concientización sobre el Empleo de las Personas con Discapacidades (NDEAM, por sus siglas en inglés) celebra las contribuciones de los trabajadores estadounidenses con discapacidades del pasado y del presente y muestra políticas y prácticas de empleo inclusivas y de apoyo que benefician a los empleadores y empleados. ODEP ha elegido "Avance del acceso y la equidad" como tema para NDEAM 2023.
Cartel NDEAM 2023
Descripción del Cartel
El póster tiene forma rectangular y un fondo blanco. Las palabras, “Avanzando el Acceso y la Igualdad, Mes Nacional de Concientización Sobre el Empleo de Personas con Discapacidades, Celebración de los 50 años de la Ley de Rehabilitación de 1973” se colocan a la derecha de un campo de flechas rojas, grises, azuladas, azules y amarillas. Mezcladas entre las flechas hay diversas imágenes de personas con discapacidades en entornos laborales. En la parte superior en pequeñas letras grises están los hashtags “NDEAM” y “RehabAct50” seguidos de la dirección del sitio web, dol.gov/ODEP. En la esquina inferior derecha está el sello del DOL seguido de las palabras “Oficina de Política de Empleo para Discapacitados, Departamento de Trabajo de los Estados Unidos", así como el logotipo de la Ley de Rehabilitación 50.
NDEAM 2022: Disability: Part of the Equity Equation
In recognition of the important role people with disabilities play in a diverse and inclusive American workforce, the theme for NDEAM 2022 “Disability: Part of the Equity Equation.”
In honor of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), former Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh and ODEP’s Assistant Secretary Taryn Williams welcomed a group of corporate employers and disability advocacy leaders recognized for their innovative approaches to fostering mental health-friendly workplaces. Featured guests included:
- Frank Giampietro, Chief Well-Being Officer, EY Americas
- Jon Murphy, Senior EAP Counselor, U.S. Congress, Employee Assistance Professionals Association
- Katherine Pérez, Inaugural Director, Coelho Center for Disability Law, Policy, and Innovation
- Sohini Stone, Chief Medical Officer for Global Employee Health, Google
The event, titled “NDEAM Employer Chat on Workplace Mental Health and Well-Being,” emphasized the importance of supporting the needs of individuals with mental health conditions in the workplace as the nation experiences a mental health crisis driven, in part, by the pandemic. Panelists shared strategies for promoting best practices for workplace mental health initiatives.
NDEAM Poster 2022
Description
The poster is rectangular in shape with a black colored chalkboard background overlaid with mathematical equations. In the center of the poster, on a diagonal, is a black rectangle bordered by small teal, yellow and red rectangles. It features the 2022 NDEAM theme, “Disability: Part of the Equity Equation,” along with an equation composed of several graphics: a circular photo of a woman in a wheelchair working at a computer with colleagues, followed by a plus sign, followed by a square image of a woman who uses crutches viewing a document with a colleague, followed by an equal sign, followed by a light bulb icon. Across the top of the rectangle in small, white letters are the words National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Along the bottom in small white letters is the hashtag “NDEAM” followed by ODEP’s website address, dol.gov/ODEP. In the lower right corner in white lettering is the DOL seal followed by the words “Office of Disability Employment Policy United States Department of Labor.”
Cartel del Mes Nacional de la Concientización Sobre la Discapacidad en el Empleo (NDEAM) 2022
Descripción del Cartel
El cartel tiene forma rectangular con un fondo de pizarra de color negro superpuesto con ecuaciones matemáticas. En el centro del cartel, en diagonal, hay un rectángulo negro bordeado por pequeños rectángulos de color verde azulado, amarillo y rojo. Presenta el tema del NDEAM 2022, “Disability: Part of the Equity Equation” (“La Discapacidad: Parte de la Ecuación de Equidad”), junto con una ecuación compuesta de varios gráficos: una foto circular de una mujer en silla de ruedas trabajando en una computadora con colegas, seguida de un signo más, seguido de una imagen cuadrada de una mujer que usa muletas viendo un documento con un colega, seguida de un signo igual, seguido de un icono de bombilla. A lo largo de la parte superior del rectángulo, en letras blancas pequeñas, se encuentran las palabras “National Disability Employment Awareness Month” (“Mes Nacional de la Concientización Sobre la Discapacidad en el Empleo”). A lo largo de la parte inferior, en letras blancas pequeñas, está el hashtag “NDEAM” seguido de la dirección del sitio web de ODEP, dol.gov/ODEP. En la esquina inferior derecha, en letras blancas, se encuentra el sello del DOL seguido de las palabras “Office of Disability Employment Policy, United States Department of Labor” (“Oficina de Políticas de Empleo para Discapacitados, Departamento del Trabajo de los Estados Unidos”).
NDEAM 2021: America’s Recovery: Powered by Inclusion
Read the Presidential Proclamation.
The theme for NDEAM 2021, “America’s Recovery: Powered by Inclusion,” reflects the importance of ensuring that people with disabilities have full access to employment and community involvement during the national recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Plan NDEAM Observances
What can YOU do to celebrate NDEAM? There are lots of ways! Explore the ideas below designed for:
- Social Media.
- Employers.
- Educators and youth service professionals.
- State governors, legislators and other policymakers.
- Associations and unions.
- Disability related organizations.
- Federal agencies.
NDEAM every day
How about a plan for Every. Single. Day. of National Disability Employment Month? Start here with day one and plan for 31 days of NDEAM.
Get NDEAM Materials
ODEP offers a range of resources to help employers and other organizations plan NDEAM observances, including not only the official poster, but also sample articles, a press release, proclamation and social media content.
NDEAM Poster 2021
Poster Description
The poster is rectangular in shape with a deep rust color background. A cream-colored depiction of the United States and its territories spreads across the poster and is covered with illustrations of people of diverse races, sizes and disabilities wearing colorful outfits. Written in bold letters in the center of the map is the 2021 NDEAM theme, America’s Recovery: Powered by Inclusion. Under the theme in smaller letters are the words National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Along the bottom (left to right) is the DOL logo, followed by ODEP’s logo, followed by the words Office of Disability Employment Policy United States Department of Labor. In the right lower corner is ODEP’s website, dol.gov/ODEP, with hashtagNDEAM underneath.
Descripción del poster
El cartel es de forma rectangular con un fondo de color óxido intenso. Una representación en color crema de los Estados Unidos y sus territorios se extienden a lo largo del cartel y está cubierta con ilustraciones de personas de diversas razas, tamaños y discapacidades con trajes coloridos. Escrito en negro en el centro del mapa está el tema de NDEAM 2021, America’s Recovery: Powered by Inclusion. Bajo el tema en letras más pequeñas están las palabras Mes de Concientización Nacional del Empleo de Personas con Discapacidades. A lo largo de la parte inferior (de izquierda a derecha) está el logotipo de DOL, seguido del logotipo de ODEP, seguido de las palabras Office of Disability Employment Policy United States Department of Labor. En la esquina inferior derecha está el sitio web de ODEP, dol.gov/ODEP, con el hashtagNDEAM debajo.
Download the Poster
- Download English [PDF]
- Download Spanish [PDF]
- English and Español (Order Paper Copies by Mail)
Increasing Access and Opportunity
Poster Description
The background color of the 2020 poster is royal blue. All lettering is gold. To the left, in upper case letters, is the theme INCREASING ACCESS AND OPPORTUNITY. Under the theme in upper and lower case lettering are the words Celebrating 30 years of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Under this statement is blue space.
At the bottom left are four elements:
- Two logos side-by-side: 30th/ADA ANNIVERSARY 75th/NDEAM ANNIVERSARY
- National Disability Employment Awareness Month
- #ADA30 | #NDEAM75 | dol.gov/odep
- DOL’s logo with the following, in upper case letters, to its right: OFFICE OF DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT POLICY UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
To the right, cascading down to the bottom of the poster, are triangular shapes containing images of people with a range of disabilities working in various settings.
Descripción del poster
El color de fondo del póster del 2020 es azul real. Todas las letras son doradas. A la izquierda, en mayúsculas, figura el eslogan INCREMENTANDO ACCESO Y OPORTUNIDAD. Bajo el eslogan, en mayúsculas y minúsculas, están las palabras Celebrando 30 años de la Ley sobre Estadounidenses con Discapacidades. Debajo de estas palabras hay un espacio azul.
Abajo a la izquierda figuran cuatro elementos:
- Dos logotipos, uno al lado del otro: 30th/ADA ANIVERSARIO 75th/NDEAM ANIVERSARIO
- Mes Nacional de Concientización Sobre la Discapacidad en el Empleo
- #ADA30 | #NDEAM75 | dol.gov/odep
- Logotipo de DOL con las siguientes palabras a la derecha, en mayúsculas:
OFFICE OF DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT POLICY
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
A la derecha, de arriba hacia abajo del póster, hay figuras triangulares con imágenes de personas con discapacidades trabajando en diversos lugares.
Download the Poster
- English (PDF)
- Spanish (PDF)
- English and Spanish (Order Paper Copies by Mail)
Celebrating Disability Inclusion for More than 70 Years
Reflecting a commitment to a robust and competitive American labor force, the 2019 National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) theme is "The Right Talent, Right Now." Observed each October, NDEAM celebrates the contributions of workers with disabilities and educates about the value of a workforce inclusive of their skills and talents.
GET NDEAM MATERIALS
ODEP offers a range of resources to help organizations plan NDEAM observances, including not only the official poster in English and Spanish, but also sample articles, a press release, proclamation and social media content.
2019 THEME: THE RIGHT TALENT, RIGHT NOW
The 2019 NDEAM theme emphasizes the essential role people with disabilities play in America's economic success, especially in an era when historically low unemployment and global competition are creating a high demand for skilled talent. Read the news release.
The Right Talent, Right Now: A Conversation About Mental Health in the Workplace
Watch a recording of the U.S. Department of Labor event honoring NDEAM 2019.
The event explored disability inclusion through the lens of workplace policies and practices that support mental health. Speakers and panelists included senior DOL officials and mental health experts.
LEARN ABOUT NDEAM'S HISTORY
NDEAM dates back to 1945, when Congress declared the first week in October "National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week." Learn more about the origins and evolution of NDEAM and other important events in disability employment history in our timeline.
PLAN NDEAM OBSERVANCES
What can YOU do to celebrate NDEAM? There are lots of ways! To get started, see our 31 Days of NDEAM slideshow or our ideas for: 
America’s Workforce: Empowering All
Held each October, National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) is a national campaign that raises awareness about disability employment issues and celebrates the many and varied contributions of America's workers with disabilities. The theme for 2018 is "America’s Workforce: Empowering All"
NDEAM's roots go back to 1945, when Congress enacted a law declaring the first week in October each year "National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week." In 1962, the word "physically" was removed to acknowledge the employment needs and contributions of individuals with all types of disabilities. In 1988, Congress expanded the week to a month and changed the name to "National Disability Employment Awareness Month." Upon its establishment in 2001, ODEP assumed responsibility for NDEAM and has worked to expand its reach and scope ever since.
Resources
To get NDEAM resources or learn more about how your organization can participate, please select one of the following:
- Ideas for Employers and Employees
- Ideas for Educators and Youth Service Professionals
- State governors, legislators and other policymakers
- Ideas for Associations and Unions
- Ideas for Disability-Related Organizations
- Ideas for Federal Agencies
NDEAM Poster 2018
Poster Description
The 2018 NDEAM theme—America's Workforce: Empowering All—appears in the bottom half of the poster in red and navy blue lettering. Below the theme are the words National Disability Employment Awareness Month. The setting of the image is an office meeting room where an employee wearing a red polo shirt and using a power wheelchair is presenting the outcome of recent research on his laptop computer to three co-workers. At the bottom left is DOL's logo with the following words: OFFICE OF DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT POLICY, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR. Center bottom is hashtag NDEAM and the URL to ODEP's website dol.gov/odep.
Descripción del poster
El tema de NDEAM 2018 – Fuerza Laboral de América: Empoderando a Todos – aparece en la mitad inferior del cartel en letras rojas y azul marino. Debajo del tema están las palabras Mes Nacional de la Concientización Sobre la Discapacidad en el Empleo. El ajuste de la imagen es una sala de reuniones de oficina donde un empleado que lleva una camisa polo roja y el uso de una silla de ruedas de poder, está presentando el resultado de una recién investigacióon en su computadora portátil, a tres compañeros de trabajo. En la parte inferior izquierda está el logotipo de DOL con las siguientes palabras: OFICINA DE LA POLITICA DE EMPLEO DE LA DISCAPACIDAD, DEPARTAMENTO DE TRABAJO DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS. Centro inferior es hashtag NDEAM y el URL de la página web de ODEP dol.gov/odep.
Download the poster
- English (PDF)
- Spanish (PDF)
- English & Spanish (Order Paper Copies by Mail)
Inclusion Drives Innovation
Held each October, National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) is a national campaign that raises awareness about disability employment issues and celebrates the many and varied contributions of America's workers with disabilities. The theme for 2017 is "Inclusion Drives Innovation."
NDEAM's roots go back to 1945, when Congress enacted a law declaring the first week in October each year "National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week." In 1962, the word "physically" was removed to acknowledge the employment needs and contributions of individuals with all types of disabilities. In 1988, Congress expanded the week to a month and changed the name to "National Disability Employment Awareness Month." Upon its establishment in 2001, ODEP assumed responsibility for NDEAM and has worked to expand its reach and scope ever since.
Resources
To get NDEAM resources or learn more about how your organization can participate, please select one of the following:
- Ideas for Employers and Employees
- Ideas for Educators and Youth Service Professionals
- Ideas for Associations and Unions
- Ideas for Disability-Related Organizations
- Ideas for Federal Agencies
NDEAM Poster 2017
Poster Description
The 2017 NDEAM theme–Inclusion Drives Innovation–appears at the top of the poster in large blue, black and red letters on a light-blue background that depicts the lobes of the brain. Running through the center of the poster are threads of small innovation icons such as computer screens, transmission towers and lightbulbs. The icon threads frame a roadway that contains four images of people with disabilities offering solutions in inclusive work environments. Below the roadway are the words National Disability Employment Awareness Month followed by hashtag NDEAM. At the bottom is DOL's logo with the following words: OFFICE OF DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT POLICY, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR and the URL to ODEP's website dol.gov/odep.
Descripción del poster
El tema de NDEAM del 2017 – Inclusión impulsa la Innovación – aparece en la parte superior del cartel en letras grandes en azul, negro, y rojo en un fondo azul claro que representa los lóbulos del cerebro. Lo que atraviesa el centro del cartel son las roscas de los pequeños iconos de innovación como las pantallas de computadoras, torres de transmisión y bombillas. El icono pasa las roscas de un marco hacia una carretera que contiene cuatro imágenes de las personas con discapacidad ofreciendo soluciones en entornos de trabajo inclusivo. Por debajo de la carretera son las palabras Mes Nacional de la Concientización Sobre la Discapacidad en el Empleo seguido por el "hashtag" NDEAM. En la parte inferior está el logo del DOL con las siguientes palabras: LA OFICINA DE POLITICA SOBRE DISCAPACIDAD Y EMPLEO DEL DEPARTAMENTO DE TRABAJO DE ESTADOS UNIDOS y el URL a la página web de ODEP dol.gov/odep.
Download the poster
- English (PDF)
- Spanish (PDF)
- English & Spanish (Order Paper Copies by Mail)
#InclusionWorks
Held each October, National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) is a national campaign that raises awareness about disability employment issues and celebrates the many and varied contributions of America's workers with disabilities. The theme for 2016 is "#InclusionWorks"
NDEAM's roots go back to 1945, when Congress enacted a law declaring the first week in October each year "National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week." In 1962, the word "physically" was removed to acknowledge the employment needs and contributions of individuals with all types of disabilities. In 1988, Congress expanded the week to a month and changed the name to "National Disability Employment Awareness Month." Upon its establishment in 2001, ODEP assumed responsibility for NDEAM and has worked to expand its reach and scope ever since.
Resources
To get NDEAM resources or learn more about how your organization can participate, please select one of the following:
- Ideas for Employers and Employees
- Ideas for Educators and Youth Service Professionals
- Ideas for Associations and Unions
- Ideas for Disability-Related Organizations
- Ideas for Federal Agencies
NDEAM Poster 2016
Poster Description
The 2016 NDEAM theme – #InclusionWorks–appears in large white letters on a blue background in the center of the poster. Above the theme in yellow are the words National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Surrounding the theme are three images of people with disabilities working in inclusive workplaces plus three colored boxes with the following messages: Inclusion Works for Business, Inclusion Works for Opportunity and Inclusion Works for Innovation. There is a red box in the lower left corner that includes DOL’s logo with the following words in white underneath: OFFICE OF DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT POLICY, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR and the URL to ODEP’s website dol.gov/odep.
Póster de la Campaña 2016 para la Concienciación Nacional sobre el Empleo de Personas Discapacitadas
Descripción del poster
El tema NDEAM 2016 – #InclusionWorks (la inclusión funciona) – aparece en grandes letras blancas sobre un fondo azul en el centro del póster. Arriba del tema en amarillo se encuentran las palabras Mes de concientización nacional del empleo de personas con discapacidad. Rodeando el tema aparecen tres imágenes de personas con discapacidad que trabajan en lugares de trabajo inclusivos y tres cuadros de colores con los siguientes mensajes: La inclusión funciona para los negocios, la inclusión funciona para las oportunidades y la inclusión funciona para la innovación. Aparece un cuadro rojo en la esquina inferior izquierda que incluye el logotipo de DOL con las siguientes palabras debajo en blanco: OFICINA DE POLÍTICAS DE EMPLEO PARA PERSONAS CON DISCAPACIDAD. DEPARTAMENTO DE TRABAJO DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS y la URL del sitio web de ODEP dol.gov/odep.
Download the poster
- English (PDF)
- Spanish (PDF)
- English & Spanish (Order Paper Copies by Mail)
My disability is one part of who I am.
Held each October, National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) is a national campaign that raises awareness about disability employment issues and celebrates the many and varied contributions of America's workers with disabilities. The theme for 2015 is "My disability is one part of who I am."
NDEAM's roots go back to 1945, when Congress enacted a law declaring the first week in October each year "National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week." In 1962, the word "physically" was removed to acknowledge the employment needs and contributions of individuals with all types of disabilities. In 1988, Congress expanded the week to a month and changed the name to "National Disability Employment Awareness Month." Upon its establishment in 2001, ODEP assumed responsibility for NDEAM and has worked to expand its reach and scope ever since.
Resources
To get NDEAM resources or learn more about how your organization can participate, please select one of the following:
- Ideas for Employers and Employees
- Ideas for Educators and Youth Service Professionals
- Ideas for Associations and Unions
- Ideas for Disability-Related Organizations
- Ideas for Federal Agencies
NDEAM Poster 2015
Poster Description
The 2015 NDEAM theme--My disability is one part of who I am.-- appears in large white letters on the left side of the poster on a blue backdrop. Below the theme are the words--At work, it's what people can do that matters--followed by a short white line. Under the line are the words National Disability Employment Awareness Month with a dash and the statement Celebrating 70 years! At the bottom of the left side is the DOL logo and the words OFFICE OF DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT POLICY UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR and the URL for ODEP's website www.dol.gov/odep/
To the right of the words is a group image of four individuals with various disabilities from the Campaign for Disability Employment's "WHO I AM" campaign.
Descripción del poster
El lema NDEAM 2015 — Mi discapacidad es una parte de quien soy — aparece en letras blancas grandes del lado izquierdo del póster, sobre un fondo azul. Debajo del lema se encuentran las palabras — En el trabajo, lo que importa es lo que la gente puede hacer — seguido por una breve línea blanca. Debajo de la línea se encuentran las palabras Mes de Concientización Nacional del Empleo de Personas con Discapacidades, seguida por un guion y la declaración ¡Celebramos nuestros 70 años! En la parte inferior, del lado izquierdo, se encuentra el logo del DOL y las palabras OFICINA DE POLÍTICAS DE EMPLEO PARA PERSONAS CON DISCAPACIDADES. DEPARTAMENTO DE TRABAJO DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS y la URL del sitio de la ODEP www.dol.gov/odep/
A la derecha de las palabras hay una imagen de un grupo de cuatro personas con diversas discapacidades, de la Campaña "QUIEN SOY" para el Empleo de las Personas con Discapacidades.
Download the poster
Expect. Employ. Empower.
Held each October, National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) is a national campaign that raises awareness about disability employment issues and celebrates the many and varied contributions of America's workers with disabilities. The theme for 2014 is "Expect. Employ. Empower."
NDEAM's roots go back to 1945, when Congress enacted a law declaring the first week in October each year "National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week." In 1962, the word "physically" was removed to acknowledge the employment needs and contributions of individuals with all types of disabilities. In 1988, Congress expanded the week to a month and changed the name to "National Disability Employment Awareness Month." Upon its establishment in 2001, ODEP assumed responsibility for NDEAM and has worked to expand its reach and scope ever since.
Resources
- Presidential Proclamation — National Disability Employment Awareness Month 2014
- Campaign for Disability Employment
- Library of Congress
NDEAM Poster 2014
Poster Description
The 2014 NDEAM theme, EXPECT.EMPLOY.EMPOWER. appears in large white letters at the center of the poster on a blue backdrop of a collage of images of people with disabilities in a variety of work settings. On the right side is a large image from the back of a female wheelchair user. On the back of her chair are the words What can YOU do? The words at the bottom on a silver banner include National Disability Employment Awareness Month, DOL’s logo with the words Office of Disability Employment Policy United States Department of Labor and ODEP’s website: www.dol.gov/odep.
Descripción del poster
El tema de NDEAM 2014 Esperar, Emplear, Empoderar. aparece en letras grandes blancas en el centro del poster sobre un fondo azulado formado por un collage de imágenes de personas con discapacidades en distintos puestos de trabajo. En el lado derecho, hay una imagen grande de la espalda de una mujer en silla de ruedas. En la parte posterior de la silla están las palabras Y Tú ¿qué eres capaz de hacer? Las palabras en la parte inferior sobre un fondo de color plateado incluyen Mes de Concienciación Nacional sobre el Empleo de Personas Discapacitadas, el logo del Departamento del Trabajo con las palabras Oficina de Políticas de Empleo para las Personas con Discapacidades, del Departamento del Trabajo de los Estados Unidos y el sitio web: ODEP: www.dol.gov/odep/.
Download the poster
Because We Are EQUAL to the Task
Held each October, National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) is a national campaign that raises awareness about disability employment issues and celebrates the many and varied contributions of America's workers with disabilities. The theme for 2013 is "Because We Are EQUAL to the Task."
NDEAM's roots go back to 1945, when Congress enacted a law declaring the first week in October each year "National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week." In 1962, the word "physically" was removed to acknowledge the employment needs and contributions of individuals with all types of disabilities. In 1988, Congress expanded the week to a month and changed the name to "National Disability Employment Awareness Month." Upon its establishment in 2001, ODEP assumed responsibility for NDEAM and has worked to expand its reach and scope ever since.
Resources
- NDEAM 2013 Presidential Proclamation
- Campaign for Disability Employment NDEAM Page — Learn about upcoming events and tell us how you're celebrating NDEAM
NDEAM in the News
- Mobile Accessibility and Employment of People with Disabilities — Federal Communications Commission Blog — [10/31/2013]
- National Disability Employment Awareness Month Plays Important Role in N.J. — NJ.com — [10/29/2013]
- Disabled Advocate Encourages Others to Take Pride, Set Example — Watertown Daily Times — [10/26/2013]
- Harford Commission on Disabilities Honors Employers, Workers, Organizations — The Baltimore Sun — [10/24/2013]
- Westchester County Celebrates Disability Mentoring Day — Lewisboro Daily Voice — [10/23/2013]
- Westchester County Celebrates Disability Mentoring Day — Armonk Daily Voice — [10/23/2013]
- A Global Challenge: Aiding Those with Disabilities — CNN — [10/21/2013]
- My View: A Reflection on National Disability Employment Awareness Month — Alexandria Times — [10/17/2013]
- National Disability Employment Month — KRWG TV — [10/12/2013]
- Independent Living Centers "Equal To The Task" Of Increasing Employment Opportunities For Californians With Disabilities — PR Newswire — [10/07/2013]
- Southwest Airlines Recognizes National Disability Employment Awareness Month — PR Newswire — [10/03/2013]
- US Labor Department's Office of Disability Employment Policy announces theme for National Disability Employment Awareness Month — DOL News Release — [05/23/2013]
NDEAM Poster 2013
Poster Description
The 2013 NDEAM poster consists of four circles—each depicting a successfully employed worker with a disability, and each worker equal to the task they are performing. Poster background colors range from bright green at the bottom to light blue at the top. Centered at the top is DOL’s logo with the Office of Disability Employment Policy, United States Department of Labor next to it. Below this header are the words of the theme: Because We Are EQUAL to the Task. The words at the bottom include National Disability Employment Awareness Month, What Can YOU Do? and ODEP’s website: www.dol.gov/odep/.
Descripción del poster
El poster NDEAM 2013 consta de cuatro círculos — cada uno representando un trabajador con discapacidad empleado exitosamente y cada trabajador cumple con la tarea que está realizando. Los colores del fondo son una gama que va de un color verde brillante en la parte inferior a la un color celeste en la parte superior. Centrado en la parte superior está el logo del Departamento de Trabajo con la Oficina de Políticas de Empleo para Discapacitados, Departamento de Trabajo Estados Unidos. Debajo de este encabezadao están las palabras del tema: Porque Somos Capaces de Realizar la Tarea. Las palabras debajo incluyen Mes de Concienciación Nacional sobre el Empleo de Personas Discapacitadas, Y Tú ¿qué eres capaz de hacer? y el sitio web de ODEP: www.dol.gov/odep/.
Download the poster
A Strong Workforce is an Inclusive Workforce: What Can YOU Do?
2012 Theme
A Strong Workforce is an Inclusive Workforce: What Can YOU Do?
October 2012 is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) — a time to celebrate the many and varied contributions of America's workers with disabilities. This year's theme is "A Strong Workforce is an Inclusive Workforce: What Can YOU Do?"
According to Assistant Secretary of Labor for Disability Employment Policy Kathy Martinez "Employers who ensure that inclusive workplace policies and practices are woven into the fabric and culture of the organization create an environment that encourages all workers — including those of us with disabilities — to work to their full capacity and contribute fully to the organization's success."
- Read the news release announcing the 2012 theme
- NDEAM 2012 Presidential Proclamation
- NDEAM 2012 Poster in English
- NDEAM 2012 Poster en Español
NDEAM Activities Across the Nation
- Assistant Secretary Martinez pens article for AbilityOne magazine
- Attorney General Eric Holder Speaks at NDEAM Event
- Federal News Radio "In Depth" Interview — Assistant Secretary of Labor for Disability Employment Policy Kathy Martinez — [10/04/2012]
NDEAM in the News
- Bringing More People with Disabilities into Work Force — NJBIZ — [10/22/2012]
- Disability Inclusion, The New Green? — Forbes, Diary of a Start Up Blog — [10/09/2012]
- October Named Disability Employment Awareness Month — The Chattanoogan — [10/04/2012]
Download the Poster
NDEAM Poster 2012
Poster Description
The 2012 NDEAM poster is filled with colorful (reds, yellows, blues, purples) images of real people with disabilities working in a variety of inclusive work settings. The headline across the top of the poster reads National Disability Employment Awareness. A circle with a white background portrays a young man with a disability reviewing a folder of information with a co-worker. Above their image are the words A Strong Workforce is an Inclusive Workforce: What can YOU do? This year's theme merges with the Campaign for Disability Employment to encourage people to get involved and take action to increase the employment of people with disabilities. ODEP's logo, website and the DOL seal are included in this circle.
Descripción del póster
El póster del NDEAM 2012 está repleto de imágenes coloridas (rojos, amarillos, azules y violetas) de personas reales con discapacidades en varios entornos laborales inclusivos. El encabezamiento que cruza la parte superior del póster dice Concienciación Nacional sobre el Empleo de Personas Discapacitadas. Dentro de un círculo con un fondo blanco, aparece un hombre joven con una discapacidad revisando una carpeta con información junto a un colega. Sobre la imagen, se lee Una mano de obra fuerte es una mano de obra inclusiva: ¿Qué puede hacer USTED al respecto? El tema de este año se fusiona con la iniciativa de la Campaña sobre el Empleo de Personas Discapacitadas para incentivar a las personas a participar, a emprender acciones para aumentar el empleo de las personas con discapacidades. En este círculo, se incluye el logotipo de la ODEP, el sitio web y el sello del DOL.
Profit by Investing in Workers with Disabilities: Return on investment means hiring the right talent
Each October, National Disability Employment Awareness Month, or NDEAM as it has become known, is a time to celebrate the many and varied contributions of America's workers with disabilities. This year's theme, "Profit by Investing in Workers with Disabilities," focuses on improving employment opportunities that lead to good jobs and a secure economic future for people with disabilities — and America. This theme emphasizes the dividend we all gain by increasing employment opportunities for workers with disabilities.
When a workplace is welcoming of people with disabilities, employers gain needed skills and new perspectives on ways to confront challenges and achieve organizational success. Employees with disabilities gain dignity, respect and self-determination. And, most importantly, society as a whole benefits from a more inclusive culture where every person is valued for his or her contributions.
As the theme implies, profits are achieved through investment in all aspects of a person's development. My own life has been profoundly impacted by my blindness, yet, it's merely one of the factors that shape my identity and the person I am today.
From day one, my parents invested their belief in my capability, fighting for me to attend our local public school and be woven into the fabric of our community. They instilled in me a love of learning and an expectation of work. As I grew older, I came to understand the value of their outlay and started reinvesting the dividends in myself, through education and advocacy — and work. Work is fundamental to my life.
NDEAM represents early efforts to affirm the intrinsic value of work for those of us with disabilities. Its roots go back to 1945 when Congress enacted a law declaring the first week in October each year "National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week." In 1962, the word "physically" was removed to acknowledge the employment needs and contributions of individuals with all types of disabilities. In 1988, Congress expanded the week to a month and changed the name to "National Disability Employment Awareness Month." The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy assumed responsibility for NDEAM in 2001.
NDEAM's true spirit lies in the many creative observances held at the grassroots level across the nation every year. Employers, schools and organizations throughout the nation are encouraged to participate and ODEP offers a variety of resources to help. Activities range from simple (such as displaying an NDEAM poster) to comprehensive initiatives such as implementing a school-wide disability history curriculum. Nonetheless, each of us plays an integral part in fostering a more inclusive America, one where every person is recognized for his or her abilities — every single day.
Resources
- View the Presidential Proclamation on National Disability Employment Awareness Month
- Read about the history of NDEAM and previous years' observances
NDEAM Poster 2011
Description of the Poster
On a green background (implying the color of money) in the upper left-hand corner are four words National Disability Employment Awareness. These words convey the purpose of creating the poster: to heighten public awareness about the skills and talents of workers with disabilities. Running left to right in the upper half of the poster is a bar graph with four bars running up into the theme PROFIT BY INVESTING IN WORKERS WITH DISABILITIES. A deep green bar separates the bar graph and 5 images of workers with disabilities below. Across the bar are white letters with the words: Return on investment means hiring the right talent. At the bottom of the poster is a second dark green bar with ODEP's web address (www.dol.gov/odep) in white letters. On the left side of the website at the end of the green bar is the Department of Labor's logo and ODEP's logo is to the far right of the web address.
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Availability
New This Year: downloadable versions of the poster are available in English, Spanish plus seven additional languages: Arabic, Chinese, Russian, French, and three Native American languages: Navajo, Lakota, Cherokee.
Download the poster
Talent Has No Boundaries
America has been celebrating the contributions of workers with disabilities since creating a National Physical Disability Employment Awareness Week in 1945. Since then, our celebration has been expanded to a month and now emphasizes the contributions of people with all disabilities from all ethnic and racial groups.
It has always been important to celebrate the important contributions of workers with disabilities. But this year we have even more to celebrate, as President Obama is creating change that we can believe in for job seekers and workers with disabilities. The President signed a landmark Executive Order on July 26 that calls on all Federal Government executive departments and agencies to create goals and action plans for increasing the numbers of people with disabilities hired and to improve retention and return to work of Federal employees with disabilities.
In addition, my office, the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), has been working with DOL's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) on their recent issuance inviting input on how OFCCP can strengthen the affirmative action requirements of the regulations implementing Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. It proposes for the first time that federal contractors, who create 25% of the available jobs in America, would be held to benchmarks for hiring qualified workers with disabilities. Until now, it was enough for employers to make attempts to hire qualified workers with disabilities, even if their efforts never resulted in actual job offers.
At ODEP, we strongly believe that increasing employment for people with disabilities is contingent on increasing more accurate and positive portrayals of people with disabilities in the media. With that in mind, ODEP created two campaigns: Lights, Camera, Access! and the Campaign for Disability Employment.
Lights! Camera! Access! began with a "call to action and best practices" summit that initiated a groundbreaking dialogue between the U.S. Department of Labor and the entertainment and broadcast industries. Co-sponsored by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, the Summit brought together participants to explore strategies for improving images and increasing employment opportunities for people with disabilities in front of and behind the camera. As follow-up, the Lights! Camera! Access! industry groups are sponsoring events that promote NDEAM and lay the foundation to increase internship opportunities for college students with disabilities, starting in the summer of 2011.
Also developing interest in disability employment across the country are the public service announcements created by ODEP in conjunction with other national partners for the Campaign for Disability Employment. These announcements, called "What Can You Do?" highlight the contributions of several energetic employed workers with disabilities. The interest in these announcements has been so profound that TV stations have donated over $8 million of free air time to promote this important employment message to employers.
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Talent Has No Boundaries: Workforce Diversity Includes Workers With Disabilities
Congress designated each October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). This effort to educate the American public about issues related to disability and employment actually began in 1945, when Congress enacted a law declaring the first week in October each year "National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week." In 1962, the word "physically" was removed to acknowledge the employment needs and contributions of individuals with all types of disabilities. In 1988, Congress expanded the week to a month and changed the name to "National Disability Employment Awareness Month."
NDEAM 2010 Newsroom
Watch this space for updates about NDEAM 2010 events and items of interest to you.
Expectation + Opportunity = Full Participation
NDEAM 2009 Posters are available to download.
Congress designated each October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). This effort to educate the American public about issues related to disability and employment actually began in 1945, when Congress enacted a law declaring the first week in October each year "National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week." In 1962, the word "physically" was removed to acknowledge the employment needs and contributions of individuals with all types of disabilities. In 1988, Congress expanded the week to a month and changed the name to "National Disability Employment Awareness Month."
2009 NDEAM Message from Assistant Secretary Kathy Martinez
Expectation + Opportunity = Full Participation
Disability is part of the natural diversity of human life. It touches all of us, whether through our own individual experience or that of a family member, neighbor, friend or colleague. As such, we all have a role in—and benefit to gain from—advancing equality for people with disabilities in all sectors of society, including the workplace.
Held each October, National Disability Employment Awareness Month is a time to reassess these roles. To start, America’s employers must provide opportunities by fostering an inclusive work culture welcoming of the skills and talents of all qualified employees, including those with disabilities.
But the responsibility rests not only with employers. People with disabilities must understand the intrinsic value of work and the important part they play in America’s future educational and economic success. Our nation’s young people with disabilities must grow up with the expectation of work, and parents, educators, and others must echo this expectation by instilling an early love of learning and cultivating a clear vision of work and full community participation.
Today and every day, people with disabilities add significant value to America’s workplaces and economy. Their skills and talents benefit businesses of all sizes and in all industries. They are entrepreneurs, innovators, and community leaders. Yet, whether good economic times and bad, people with disabilities have fewer job opportunities than those without disabilities. This is unacceptable and opposes the ideals upon which our nation was founded and prides itself.
This year’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month focuses on the interdependence of expectation and opportunity in advancing America’s ideal of equal opportunity for all. It’s a time to celebrate the contributions of people with disabilities to our nation’s workplaces and communities and reaffirm our commitment to creating a more inclusive America, one where every person is rightly recognized for his or her abilities and accomplishments—every day of every month.
Assistant Secretary Kathy Martinez on the move during NDEAM
Celebrating NDEAM in the Federal Government
- Assistant Secretary Kathy Martinez provided keynote remarks to celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month for the Department of Agriculture (October 7), the Department of Labor (October 8), the Department of Treasury (October 9), and the National Defense University (October 28).
Employer Symposium in Corpus Christi, Texas
- Assistant Secretary Martinez provided the October 26, 2009 keynote address for the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitation Services’ Employer Symposium in Corpus Christi, Texas. Assistant Secretary Martinez addressed 300 employers on the recruitment, employment, and retention of people with disabilities.
Interview on Joyce Bender’s National Radio Program
- On October 20, 2009, Joyce Bender interviewed Assistant Secretary Martinez on her national program, "Disability Matters". The interview on disability employment policy was webcast live and is archived for future listeners.
Assistant Secretary Kathy Martinez interviewed on Channel 9 in Washington, D.C.
- Anchorwoman J.C. Hayward, the special interest reporter for the local CBS affiliate in Washington, D.C., interviewed Assistant Secretary Martinez on disability employment issues and Secretary Solis’ vision of Good Jobs for Everyone on October 14, 2009.
Assistant Secretary Martinez provided the national kick-off address for Disability Mentoring Day Launch celebration on October 12 in Duluth, Minnesota.
- Disability Mentoring Day is a large-scale national effort to promote career development for students and job seekers with disabilities through hands-on career exploration, on-site job shadowing, and ongoing mentoring leading to internship and employment opportunities. Last year, DMD integrated more than 20,000 students and jobseekers in communities in every state plus 20 international locations.
Disability Awareness Conference for the District of Columbia’s Office of Disability Rights
- On October 6, 2009, Kareem Dale, Special Assistant to the President, and ODEP Assistant Secretary Martinez provided remarks to District of Columbia service providers and constituents with disabilities on the employment of people with disabilities.
NDEAM 2009 Newsroom
Throughout National Disability Employment Awareness Month, watch this space for updates about events and items of interest to you.
Cities Throughout U.S. Declare Disability.gov Day During National Disability Employment Awareness Month
- In conjunction with National Disability Employment Awareness Month, Assistant Secretary Martinez asked mayors from cities, recognized for their accessibility and contributions to the disability community, to declare a day in October as Disability.gov Day. The Department of Labor and the Office of Disability Employment Policy extend their thanks and appreciation to all the cities that participated. See the official proclamations in the 2009 Disability.gov Day Proclamations section on Disability.gov.
U.S. Department of Labor Steps Up Efforts to Serve Workers with Disabilities.
- The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) joined President Obama today in underscoring the administration's commitment to serving every American worker, including the 54 million people across the nation living with disabilities.
- Read the Press Release
President Obama Announces New Initiatives During National Disability Employment Awareness Month.
"My Administration is committed to ensuring that all Americans have the chance to fulfill their potential and contribute to our nation," said President Obama. "Across this country, millions of people with disabilities are working or want to work, and they should have access to the support and services they need to succeed. As the nation’s largest employer, the Federal Government and its contractors can lead the way by implementing effective employment policies and practices that increase opportunities and help workers achieve their full potential. We must also rededicate ourselves to fostering an inclusive work culture that welcomes the skills and talents of all qualified employees. That’s why I’ve asked the responsible agencies to develop new plans and policies to help increase employment across America for people with disabilities."
- Read the Press Release
- Read President Barack Obama’s National Disability Employment Month Proclamation
U.S. Department of Labor Holds ‘National Listening Session’ for Public Input on Reauthorization of Workforce Investment Act
- ODEP Assistant Kathy Martinez and Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment and Training Jane Oates heard comments from workforce investment systems personnel, representatives of the disability community, leaders of nonprofit organizations, academic professionals and members of the general public. Approximately 700 people attended in person, by webinar and via conference call.
- Read the Press Release
Workforce3 One Unveils a New Disability and Employment Resource Webpage
- In connection with National Disability Employment Awareness Month, Workforce3 One unveiled a new Disability and Employment Resource web page to provide employment-related resources for the workforce system. The purposes of this page are to disseminate promising practices to promote the positive employment outcomes of people with disabilities and expand the capacity of the One-Stop Career Center system to serve customers with disabilities.
DOL’s ePolicyWorks
- As part of the National Disability Employment Awareness Month, ODEP will launch ePolicyWorks, a new collaborative, information-sharing initiative among national policymakers. This 21st century approach to policy development is designed to address specific barriers to employment faced by people with disabilities by leveraging resources, as well as by encouraging coordination and integration across systems. ODEP plans to distill this initiative into topic areas, such as health care, technology, and transportation.
U.S. Department of Labor and U.S. Office of Personnel Management Federal Hiring Fair for People with Disabilities
- The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) will announce a Government-wide job fair for people with disabilities to take place in early spring 2010. The fair will include on-site interviews, workshop sessions for prospective employees on the Federal hiring process and special hiring authorities, and, most importantly, job offers to qualified applicants with disabilities. ODEP, OPM, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and the Computer/Electronic Accommodations Program will provide workshops on the Federal Schedule A hiring authority and the right to reasonable accommodations.
U.S. Department of Labor Awards Cooperative Agreements on Registered Apprenticeship and Pre-Apprenticeship Training for Youth
- Assistant Secretary Martinez recently announced that ODEP, in cooperation with the ETA, will award two cooperative agreements to develop innovative models of registered apprenticeship training for youth with disabilities. It is expected that the models will produce skilled workers in demand in high-growth, high-demand industries such as green jobs, health care, construction and information technology.
U.S. Department of Labor to Fund National Technical Assistance Center for Employers on the Employment of People with Disabilities
- The Department of Labor will announce an award of up to $1.6 million to fund a cooperative agreement to establish a National Technical Assistance Center for Employers on the Employment of People with Disabilities. The center will provide technical assistance to a wide range of employers and employer organizations on the recruitment, hiring, retention, and advancement of people with disabilities.
U.S. Department of Labor and U.S. Department of Defense Workforce Recruitment Program
- U.S. Department of Labor’s ODEP and the U.S. Department of Defense, with the participation of many other federal agencies, will conduct the 2010 season of the Workforce Recruitment Program for College Students with Disabilities (WRP). This recruitment and referral program connects federal sector employers nationwide with highly motivated postsecondary students and recent graduates with disabilities who are eager to prove their abilities in the workplace through summer or permanent jobs.
Mayors Encouraged to Proclaim “Disability.gov Day” in October
- ODEP Assistant Secretary Kathy Martinez is sending a letter to the mayor of 36 cities asking that they proclaim one day in October as “Disability.gov Day” to recognize the important contributions people with disabilities make each day in our country. The selected mayors represent the 36 cities that were finalists or winners for the National Organization on Disability’s (NOD) Accessible America Award. The letter includes a suggested proclamation highlighting the benefits of the Disability.gov Web site and a one-page fact sheet about the site.
The Campaign for Disability Employment sets a new standard for collaboration.
- The Campaign for Disability Employment is a collaborative effort to promote positive employment outcomes for people with disabilities by encouraging employers and others to recognize the value and talent they bring to the workplace.
Visit ODEP in Booth #216 at the Society for Human Resource Management’s annual Diversity Conference and Exposition, held this year in San Diego, California from October 19-21.
Disability Mentoring Day set for October 21.
- Watch a video of last year’s DMD in Duluth, Minnesota.
The Social Security Administration Announces Exciting New Option for Employer Participation in the Ticket Program:
NCD National Summit on Disability Policy 2010
- Hosted by the National Council on Disability (NCD), this Summit commemorates the 20th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) with a reception, an ADA retrospective and a series of working meetings. The results of the meetings will help shape disability policy and programs for the next decade.
National Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Listening Opportunity for Disability Stakeholders
- On October 1, 2009, DOL's Employment and Training Administration (ETA) and ODEP will conduct a National "Listening" Session for disability stakeholders on the reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998. The session is part of efforts by ETA Assistant Secretary Jane Oates and ODEP Assistant Secretary Kathy Martinez to collect recommendations, from a disability perspective, on the reauthorization of the Act.
Federal Agency NDEAM Activities and Initiatives
- Navy - NAVFAC HQ : National Disability Employment Awareness Month Program - TBD
- Office of Diversity Management and Equal Opportunity : 29th Annual DoD Disability Awards Ceremony - December 8, 2009
- Navy - NAWC-AD : NAWC-AD Deaf Awareness Program with DAU - November 10, 2009
- Navy - NAVAIR : Hidden Disabilities Program - November 4, 2009
- General Services Administration (GSA) : National Disability Employment Awareness Month - October 30, 2009
- Naval Support Activity (NSA) : National Disabilities Employment Awareness Month Luncheon - October 28, 2009
- National Defense University (NDU) : Disability Employment Awareness Program at NDU - October 28, 2009
- National Guard Bureau (NGB) : National Disability Employment Awareness Month Program - October 28, 2009
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) : Financial Planning Panel Discussion - October 27, 2009
- Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) : Lunch & Learn EventAttitudinal Barriers "Not in my Neighborhood" - October 26, 2009
- Navy - NAVSEA : NAVSEA Disability Awareness Month Observance - October 22, 2009
- Department of Labor (DoL) : National Disability Employment Awareness Month Program - October 22, 2009
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) : Ten Commandments of Communicating with People with Disabilities - October 22, 2009
- Broadcasting Board of Governors : Broadcasting Board of Governors - October 21, 2009
- Department of Justice (DOJ) : “Expectation + Opportunity = Full Participation” - October 21, 2009
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA): 2009 NDEAM Program Observance - October 21, 2009
- Navy - NAVAIR : Disability Mentoring Day - October 21, 2009
- Office of the Secretary of Defense (AT&L) : Ability One Program Recognition Ceremony - October 20, 2009
- Navy - NAWC-WD : NAWC-WD Disability Seminar (Speaker & Panel discussion) - October 20, 2009
- Department of Commerce (DOC) : NAWC-WD Disability Seminar (Speaker & Panel discussion) - October 20, 2009
- Naval Support Activity (NSA) : National Disabilities Employment Awareness Month Observance - October 16, 2009
- Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) : National Disabilities Employment Awareness Month Observance - October 16, 2009
- Environmental Proctection Agency (EPA) : National Disabilities Employment Awareness Month Observance - October 14, 2009
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) : Through Deaf Eyes - October 14, 2009
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) : Disability Programs Managers & Special Placement Coordinator Conference - October 13, 2009
- Department of the Treasury : National Disability Employment Awareness Month Program - October 9, 2009
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) : EAP Presentation Brown Bag - October 8, 2009
- Department of Health & Human Services (HHS): NDEAM Briefing – “Expectation + Opportunity = Full Participation” - October 7, 2009
- OPM Announces Plans to Provide On-Line Training to Hiring Officials Who Will Help Level the Playing Field for Those with Disabilities
- Oct. 7 - The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) joined President Barack Obama today in underscoring the administration's commitment to ensuring that every American worker has access to opportunity, including the 54 million people across the nation living with disabilities. To "level the playing field" for those with disabilities, OPM announced it will launch on-line training opportunities for Federal hiring officials.
- Read more in the Press Release
- Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) : National Disability Employment Awareness Month Program - October 7, 2009
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) : Operation Warfighter Program visit to NASA/GSFC - October 1, 2009
- The sign said: FOOD LION COMING SOON!
- To some people in Wilmington, Delaware, that meant more local traffic, especially during rush hour. To others it was exciting to hear that a new supermarket was opening. Read the success story.
- Read more about The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) and its NDEAM activities.
- Statement by U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan on National Disability Employment Awareness Month
America's People... America's Talent... America's Strength!
Congress designated each October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). The Office of Disability Employment Policy has the lead in planning NDEAM activities and materials to increase the public's awareness of the contributions and skills of American workers with disabilities. Various programs carried out throughout the month also highlight the specific employment barriers that still need to be addressed and removed.
This effort to educate the American public about issues related to disability and employment actually began in 1945, when Congress enacted a law declaring the first week in October each year "National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week." In 1962, the word "physically" was removed to acknowledge the employment needs and contributions of individuals with all types of disabilities. In 1988, Congress expanded the week to a month and changed the name to "National Disability Employment Awareness Month."
NDEAM 2008 Poster
The theme for the 2008 National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM),
America's People... America's Talent... America's Strength!, is emblazoned on an image of Mount Rushmore National Memorial. The 60-foot Mount Rushmore face carvings of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln were sculpted by Gutzon Borglum and 400 workers between 1927 and 1941 to represent the first 150 years of American history. Carvings of the founding fathers emerge on a backdrop of the Declaration of Independence to convey the philosophy of the nation's new government that every human being has inherent worth bestowed upon them by the Creator, and that equality is a fundamental right
According to ODEP Assistant Secretary, Neil Romano, "It is ODEP's responsibility to ensure that the founding father's intent of equality resonates across America for people with disabilities and that obstacles preventing them from achieving their human potential be removed. Making good on this fundamental obligation is our duty as a nation — a human capital investment in America's future in honor of our forefathers."
The words "October is NATIONAL DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS MONTH" appear in the upper right corner of the poster. To the right and below the faces of Roosevelt and Lincoln are the following words from the Declaration of Independence, "We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness." The lower right corner includes the words "U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Disability Employment Policy" and the agency's web site address.
Availability: Posters are available in 10” x 15” and 20” x 30” sizes, at no cost to you. They will be delivered in a package of 25. The maximum order is 100 posters.
Workers with Disabilities: Talent for a Winning Team
Patches of color (blues, greens, browns and purple) serve as the backdrop to the 2007 National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) poster. The theme, Workers with Disabilities: Talent for a Winning Team, is depicted by a runner's legs, one of them prosthetic, sprinting to success while crossing the patchwork. The words "October 2007 is National Disability Employment Awareness Month" appear in the upper right corner of the poster. The lower right corner includes the words "U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Disability Employment Policy" and the agency's website address.
Americans with Disabilities: Ready for the Global Workforce
Bursting with color (purple, orange and yellow) the 2006 NDEAM poster carries the theme, Americans with Disabilities: Ready for the Global Workforce. A young man with a developmental disability is posed with a global backdrop. He is wearing a tie and a white shirt. Using a headset, he is responding to a telephone call. The words "October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month" appear at the bottom of the poster.
Availability: The poster is out of print. You can download a PDF version of the 2006 poster.