Celebrating National Disability Employment Awareness Month

The DiverseAbility Employee Resource Group is shining the spotlight on National Disability Employment Awareness Month, an annual awareness campaign that takes place each October. The goal is to educate everyone 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."

“Our national recovery from the pandemic cannot be completed without the inclusion of all Americans, in particular people with disabilities,” U.S. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh said. “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, the DiverseAbility ERG will be engaging in a variety of activities to educate staff on disability employment issues and its commitment to an inclusive work culture. ERG events will be announced on InSite. Stay tuned!

"The DiverseAbility ERG is proud to be a part of this year's National Disability Employment Awareness Month," said Sarah Panfil, president of the DiverseAbility. "We want to spread the important message that we value all perspectives, including those of individuals with disabilities."

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.

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.