NDEAM Key Messages

Happy NDEAM! The theme for National Disability Employment Awareness Month 2026 is “Celebrating Value and Talent.” Each October, we celebrate NDEAM to recognize the many contributions that people with disabilities, including those with mental health conditions and other nonobvious disabilities, make to America’s workplaces and economy.

We hope the resources below can help your organization take part in this celebration. On the main NDEAM webpage, we offer ideas for how specific types of organizations—including employers and employees, educators and youth service professionals, policymakers, associations and unions, disability-related organizations, and federal agencies—can participate in NDEAM 2026.

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Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP)

NDEAM Resources

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 raises awareness 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.

Visit dol.gov/NDEAM for specific ideas about how <ORGANIZATION NAME> can support National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Suggestions range from simple actions, such as putting up a poster, to more comprehensive changes, such as implementing a disability education program. No effort is too small to help bring attention to the value and talent American workers with disabilities add to our workplaces and economy every day.

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 raises awareness about disability employment 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.

Visit the ODEP website at dol.gov/NDEAM for specific ideas about how <UNION NAME> members can support National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Suggestions range from simple actions, such as putting up a poster, to comprehensive changes, such as implementing a disability education program. No effort is too small to help recognize the value and talent American workers with disabilities contribute to our workplaces and economy every day.

NDEAM Sample Proclamation

State and local officials can customize the proclamation language below to promote in the community and/or through the local media and post the signed proclamation in their organization’s office or other facilities.

RECOGNIZING AND COMMEMORATING THE 81ST ANNIVERSARY OF NATIONAL DISABILITY AWARENESS MONTH

Recognizing and commemorating the National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

National Disability Employment Awareness Month

WHEREAS, October 2026 marks the 81st anniversary of National Disability Employment Awareness Month; and

WHEREAS, The purpose of National Disability Employment Awareness Month is to raise awareness of disability employment 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 began as a weeklong recognition of people with physical disabilities.

WHEREAS, Later, NDEAM was expanded to a full month and evolved to include all people with disabilities, including those with mental health conditions and other nonobvious disabilities, acknowledging the importance of increasing their access to employment.

WHEREAS, Workplaces welcoming of the talents of all people, including people with disabilities, including those with mental health conditions and other nonobvious disabilities, are a critical part of our efforts to build a strong economy; and

WHEREAS, Activities during this month will reinforce the value and talent people with disabilities, including those with mental health conditions and other nonobvious disabilities, add to our workplaces and communities and affirm [city’s/county’s/state’s] commitment to ensuring that all people, including disabled workers, have the opportunity to find meaningful work.

Therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the [state/city/county] of [NAME] recognizes and commemorates the 81st 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 the [state/city/county] of [NAME] call upon employers, schools, and other community organizations in [city/county NAME], [state NAME], to participate in the observance with appropriate programs and activities in October to help ensure that disabled workers have the opportunity to find meaningful work every month of every year; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the [state/city/county] of [NAME] pledges 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, including those with mental health conditions and other nonobvious 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

[NAME OF ORGANIZATION] Joins Observance of National Disability Employment Awareness Month 2026

Nationwide campaign takes place each October

(City, State)—Date—[NAME OF ORGANIZATION] announced today that it will join 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 in October. The purpose of National Disability Employment Awareness Month is to bring attention to disability employment and celebrate the many and varied contributions of America’s workers with disabilities. The 2026 theme is “Celebrating Value and Talent.”

The history of NDEAM traces back to 1945, when it began as a weeklong recognition of people with physical disabilities. Later, NDEAM expanded to a full month and evolved to include all people with disabilities, including those with mental health conditions and other nonobvious disabilities, acknowledging the importance of increasing their access to jobs.

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 and our commitment to an accessible and supportive work culture for people with disabilities, including those with mental health conditions and other nonobvious disabilities. These efforts include [examples of planned activities].

“[NAME OF ORGANIZATION] is proud to take part in this year’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month,” said [NAME OF SPOKESPERSON]. “We want to spread the important message that we value all contributions, including those of individuals with disabilities.”

Employers and workers in any industry can visit dol.gov/NDEAM to learn more about how to participate in National Disability Employment Awareness Month in October and promote its messages all year.

NDEAM Key Messages