U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao Selects
“America Works Best When All Americans Work” As October’s
National Disability Employment Awareness Month Theme

WASHINGTON—Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao has selected “America Works Best When All Americans Work” as the official theme for October’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

“The theme, America Works Best When All Americans Work, emphasizes the Bush Administration’s position of economic opportunity through job creation,” said Chao. “It also builds upon the accomplishments of the President’s New Freedom Initiative which has created opportunities for persons with disabilities to be fully integrated into the 21st Century workforce.”

Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) Assistant Secretary Roy Grizzard said, “The selection of the theme will especially help the private sector, federal, state and local governments, and advocacy organizations plan events and programs that showcase the abilities and skills of job seekers and working Americans who have disabilities.”

ODEP is the nation’s first Assistant Secretary-led office that specifically addresses policies that impact upon the employment of people with disabilities. It acts as a catalyst to stimulate new ideas about employment through research and development, policy analysis, grant awards, technical assistance, and the promotion of effective business practices.

Background: Public Law 176, enacted by Congress in 1945, designated the first week in October as “National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week.” President Harry S. Truman designated the President’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities to carry out the law. Congress changed the name to “National Disability Employment Awareness Month” in 1988. The responsibility for leading the nationwide recognition was transferred to ODEP in 2001.

# # #

_________________________________________________________________

Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.