It’s October, at last! The time of year we find falling leaves, earlier sunsets, and an abundance of pumpkin spice products everywhere we look. If you’re not a fan of pumpkin-flavored things, there are other reasons to enjoy the month, too— like football games, lower A/C bills, and the ability to buy giant bags of candy without feeling guilty about it.
But, there’s another, important reason to love October— it’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM)!
The roots of National Disability Employment Awareness Month date back to 1945— when President Truman signed Public Resolution No. 176 of the 79th Congress. It called for a “National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week” to be observed the first week of each October. When the many wounded veterans began returning from WWII, an awareness had grown that the government needed to take an active role in encouraging the employment and training of physically disabled adults. By 1962, President Kennedy expanded these commemorations to encompass all disabilities, not just physical ones.
In 1988, Congress established the current reiteration of National Disability Employment Awareness Month. The goal was to pay tribute to the accomplishments of all disabled adults and to reaffirm the government’s commitment to equal opportunity for all citizens.
At Anthesis, promoting employment and inclusion for disabled adults is one of our most essential missions. It is the foundational principle that we strive for each and every day. After all, we recognize the unique and valuable skills that adults with disabilities offer our society and our economy.
This is why National Disability Employment Awareness Month is so important. Disabled adults are a vital segment of the American workforce. Yet, they are often overlooked, underemployed and underpaid. Given that 1 in 5 Americans live with a disability, this means that we still have work to do in order to realize the potential of our diverse population.
It all starts with amplifying the life stories of adults with disabilities. There are disabled lawyers, teachers, engineers— as well as, disabled grocery clerks and service workers. All these contributions keep our economy working— and they need to be celebrated and appreciated.
Along with that, we must expand access to educational opportunities— which includes vocational training— for all people with disabilities. Gaining skills and experience will improve chances for meaningful employment, and by extension, more independence.
Lastly, given the societal stigmas against disability (which are profound), we need to recognize businesses that hire disabled employees and value inclusion. This is a critical step. When incentives and positive pressure are offered to businesses to do the right thing, generally it will yield a result. After all, it’s in the best interest of all businesses to have a diverse workforce. So, it’s up to all of us to support programs and legislation that help to make this happen.
Want to know what else you can do to honor National Disability Employment Awareness Month this October?
— Hire disabled employees!
— Tell your boss to hire disabled employees!
— Vote for candidates that advocate for disability inclusion and employment programs!
Together, we can make the workplace more diverse, more equitable and more productive. After all, every American deserves a chance to contribute to the nation’s prosperity— and a chance to be heard… and to be valued.
For more resources, visit:
US Department of Labor— https://www.dol.gov/agencies/odep/initiatives/ndeam