Disability: Part of the Equity Equation

The following resources can assist organizations in planning and implementing National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) activities.

NDEAM Poster

Download English [PDF]

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.)

Download Spanish [PDF]

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. En 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 del fondo, 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 Drop-In Articles

Article for Association Publications

<ORGANIZATION NAME> Members Encouraged to Participate in National Disability Employment Awareness Month

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, and all members of <ORGANIZATION NAME> are encouraged to participate. 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.

Held annually, National Disability Employment Awareness Month is led by the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy, but its true spirit lies in the many observances held at the grassroots level across the nation every year. Employers of all sizes and in all industries are encouraged to participate in NDEAM.

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

Article for Union Publications

<UNION NAME> Locals and District Councils Encouraged to Participate in National Disability Employment Awareness Month

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, and <UNION NAME> locals and members are encouraged to participate. 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.

Held annually, National Disability Employment Awareness Month is led by the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy, but its true spirit lies in the many observances held at the grassroots level across the nation every year. Organizations of all sizes and in all industries are encouraged to participate in NDEAM.

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

Sample NDEAM 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 77TH ANNIVERSARY OF NATIONAL DISABILITY AWARENESS MONTH

Recognizing and commemorating the 77th anniversary of National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

77th Anniversary of National Disability Employment Awareness Month

WHEREAS, October 2022 marks the 77th 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 National Disability Employment Awareness Month traces back to 1945 when Congress enacted a law declaring the first week in October each year "National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week;" and

WHEREAS, In 1962, the word "physically" was removed to acknowledge the employment needs and contributions of individuals with all types of disabilities; and

WHEREAS, In 1988, Congress expanded the week to a month and changed the name to National Disability Employment Awareness Month; and

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 an inclusive community that increases access and opportunities to all, including individuals with disabilities.

Therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the [state/city/county of …] recognize and commemorate the 77th anniversary of National Disability Employment Awareness Month; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the [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, and to advance its important message that people with disabilities add value and talent to our workplaces and communities; 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.

Sample NDEAM 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

<NAME OF ORGANIZATION> Joins Broad Effort to Observe National Disability Employment Awareness Month

Nationwide campaign will take place in October

(City, State) — Date — <NAME OF ORGANIZATION> today announced its participation in 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 "Disability: Part of the Equity Equation."

The history of National Disability Employment Awareness Month traces 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.

“Our national recovery from the pandemic cannot be completed without the inclusion of all Americans, in particular people with disabilities,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh. “Their contributions have historically been vital to our nation’s success, and are more important today than ever. We must build an 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 inclusive 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 www.dol.gov/NDEAM.