Past NDEAM Years

My disability is one part of who I am.

Held each October, National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) is a national campaign that raises awareness about disability employment issues and celebrates the many and varied contributions of America's workers with disabilities. The theme for 2015 is "My disability is one part of who I am."

NDEAM's roots go 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." Upon its establishment in 2001, ODEP assumed responsibility for NDEAM and has worked to expand its reach and scope ever since.

Resources

• NDEAM 2015 Resource Toolbox
  • Poster
  • Drop-In Articles
  • Sample Proclamation
  • Sample Press Release
  • Sample Social Media Content
  • Social Media Accessibility Tips
• Campaign for Disability Employment

To get NDEAM resources or learn more about how your organization can participate, please select one of the following:

• Ideas for Employers and Employees
• Ideas for Educators and Youth Service Professionals
• Ideas for Associations and Unions
• Ideas for Disability-Related Organizations
• Ideas for Federal Agencies

NDEAM Poster 2015

Poster Description

The 2015 NDEAM theme--My disability is one part of who I am.-- appears in large white letters on the left side of the poster on a blue backdrop. Below the theme are the words--At work, it's what people can do that matters--followed by a short white line. Under the line are the words National Disability Employment Awareness Month with a dash and the statement Celebrating 70 years! At the bottom of the left side is the DOL logo and the words OFFICE OF DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT POLICY UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR and the URL for ODEP's website www.dol.gov/odep/

To the right of the words is a group image of four individuals with various disabilities from the Campaign for Disability Employment's "WHO I AM" campaign.

Descripción del poster

El lema NDEAM 2015 — Mi discapacidad es una parte de quien soy — aparece en letras blancas grandes del lado izquierdo del póster, sobre un fondo azul. Debajo del lema se encuentran las palabras — En el trabajo, lo que importa es lo que la gente puede hacer — seguido por una breve línea blanca. Debajo de la línea se encuentran las palabras Mes de Concientización Nacional del Empleo de Personas con Discapacidades, seguida por un guion y la declaración ¡Celebramos nuestros 70 años! En la parte inferior, del lado izquierdo, se encuentra el logo del DOL y las palabras OFICINA DE POLÍTICAS DE EMPLEO PARA PERSONAS CON DISCAPACIDADES. DEPARTAMENTO DE TRABAJO DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS y la URL del sitio de la ODEP www.dol.gov/odep/

A la derecha de las palabras hay una imagen de un grupo de cuatro personas con diversas discapacidades, de la Campaña "QUIEN SOY" para el Empleo de las Personas con Discapacidades.

Download the poster

• English (PDF)
• Spanish (PDF)
• Order hard copy versions (11" x 17") available in English and Spanish

Profit by Investing in Workers with Disabilities: Return on investment means hiring the right talent

Each October, National Disability Employment Awareness Month, or NDEAM as it has become known, is a time to celebrate the many and varied contributions of America's workers with disabilities. This year's theme, "Profit by Investing in Workers with Disabilities," focuses on improving employment opportunities that lead to good jobs and a secure economic future for people with disabilities — and America. This theme emphasizes the dividend we all gain by increasing employment opportunities for workers with disabilities.

When a workplace is welcoming of people with disabilities, employers gain needed skills and new perspectives on ways to confront challenges and achieve organizational success. Employees with disabilities gain dignity, respect and self-determination. And, most importantly, society as a whole benefits where every person is valued for his or her contributions.

As the theme implies, profits are achieved through investment in all aspects of a person's development. My own life has been profoundly impacted by my blindness, yet, it's merely one of the factors that shape my identity and the person I am today.

From day one, my parents invested their belief in my capability, fighting for me to attend our local public school and be woven into the fabric of our community. They instilled in me a love of learning and an expectation of work. As I grew older, I came to understand the value of their outlay and started reinvesting the dividends in myself, through education and advocacy — and work. Work is fundamental to my life.

NDEAM represents early efforts to affirm the intrinsic value of work for those of us with disabilities. Its roots go 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." The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy assumed responsibility for NDEAM in 2001.

NDEAM's true spirit lies in the many creative observances held at the grassroots level across the nation every year. Employers, schools and organizations throughout the nation are encouraged to participate and ODEP offers a variety of resources to help. Activities range from simple (such as displaying an NDEAM poster) to comprehensive initiatives such as implementing a school-wide disability history curriculum. 

Resources

• View the Presidential Proclamation on National Disability Employment Awareness Month
• Read about the history of NDEAM and previous years' observances

NDEAM Poster 2011

Description of the Poster

On a green background (implying the color of money) in the upper left-hand corner are four words National Disability Employment Awareness. These words convey the purpose of creating the poster: to heighten public awareness about the skills and talents of workers with disabilities. Running left to right in the upper half of the poster is a bar graph with four bars running up into the theme PROFIT BY INVESTING IN WORKERS WITH DISABILITIES. A deep green bar separates the bar graph and 5 images of workers with disabilities below. Across the bar are white letters with the words: Return on investment means hiring the right talent. At the bottom of the poster is a second dark green bar with ODEP's web address (www.dol.gov/odep) in white letters. On the left side of the website at the end of the green bar is the Department of Labor's logo and ODEP's logo is to the far right of the web address.

Availability

New This Year: downloadable versions of the poster are available in English, Spanish plus seven additional languages: Arabic, Chinese, Russian, French, and three Native American languages: Navajo, Lakota, Cherokee.

Download the poster

• English (PDF)
• Spanish (PDF)
• Arabic (PDF)
• Chinese (PDF)
• Russian (PDF)
• French (PDF)
• Navajo (PDF)
• Lakota (PDF)
• Cherokee (PDF)

Expectation + Opportunity = Full Participation

NDEAM 2009 Posters are available to download.

Congress designated each October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). This effort to educate the American public about issues related to disability and employment actually began in 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."

2009 NDEAM Message from Assistant Secretary Kathy Martinez

Expectation + Opportunity = Full Participation

Disability is part of human life. It touches all of us, whether through our own individual experience or that of a family member, neighbor, friend or colleague. As such, we all have a role in—and benefit to gain from—advancing equality for people with disabilities in all sectors of society, including the workplace.

Held each October, National Disability Employment Awareness Month is a time to reassess these roles. To start, America’s employers must provide opportunities by fostering a welcoming workforce that includes the skills and talents of all qualified employees, including those with disabilities.

But the responsibility rests not only with employers. People with disabilities must understand the intrinsic value of work and the important part they play in America’s future educational and economic success. Our nation’s young people with disabilities must grow up with the expectation of work, and parents, educators, and others must echo this expectation by instilling an early love of learning and cultivating a clear vision of work and full community participation.

Today and every day, people with disabilities add significant value to America’s workplaces and economy. Their skills and talents benefit businesses of all sizes and in all industries. They are entrepreneurs, innovators, and community leaders. Yet, whether good economic times and bad, people with disabilities have fewer job opportunities than those without disabilities. This is unacceptable and opposes the ideals upon which our nation was founded and prides itself.

This year’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month focuses on the interdependence of expectation and opportunity in advancing America’s ideal of equal opportunity for all. 

Assistant Secretary Kathy Martinez on the move during NDEAM

Celebrating NDEAM in the Federal Government

• Assistant Secretary Kathy Martinez provided keynote remarks to celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month for the Department of Agriculture (October 7), the Department of Labor (October 8), the Department of Treasury (October 9), and the National Defense University (October 28).

Employer Symposium in Corpus Christi, Texas

• Assistant Secretary Martinez provided the October 26, 2009 keynote address for the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitation Services’ Employer Symposium in Corpus Christi, Texas. Assistant Secretary Martinez addressed 300 employers on the recruitment, employment, and retention of people with disabilities.

Interview on Joyce Bender’s National Radio Program

• On October 20, 2009, Joyce Bender interviewed Assistant Secretary Martinez on her national program, "Disability Matters". The interview on disability employment policy was webcast live and is archived for future listeners.

Assistant Secretary Kathy Martinez interviewed on Channel 9 in Washington, D.C.

• Anchorwoman J.C. Hayward, the special interest reporter for the local CBS affiliate in Washington, D.C., interviewed Assistant Secretary Martinez on disability employment issues and Secretary Solis’ vision of Good Jobs for Everyone on October 14, 2009.

Assistant Secretary Martinez provided the national kick-off address for Disability Mentoring Day Launch celebration on October 12 in Duluth, Minnesota.

• Disability Mentoring Day is a large-scale national effort to promote career development for students and job seekers with disabilities through hands-on career exploration, on-site job shadowing, and ongoing mentoring leading to internship and employment opportunities. Last year, DMD integrated more than 20,000 students and jobseekers in communities in every state plus 20 international locations.

Disability Awareness Conference for the District of Columbia’s Office of Disability Rights

• On October 6, 2009, Kareem Dale, Special Assistant to the President, and ODEP Assistant Secretary Martinez provided remarks to District of Columbia service providers and constituents with disabilities on the employment of people with disabilities.

NDEAM 2009 Newsroom

Throughout National Disability Employment Awareness Month, watch this space for updates about events and items of interest to you.

Cities Throughout U.S. Declare Disability.gov Day During National Disability Employment Awareness Month

• In conjunction with National Disability Employment Awareness Month, Assistant Secretary Martinez asked mayors from cities, recognized for their accessibility and contributions to the disability community, to declare a day in October as Disability.gov Day. The Department of Labor and the Office of Disability Employment Policy extend their thanks and appreciation to all the cities that participated. See the official proclamations in the 2009 Disability.gov Day Proclamations section on Disability.gov.

U.S. Department of Labor Steps Up Efforts to Serve Workers with Disabilities.

• The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) joined President Obama today in underscoring the administration's commitment to serving every American worker, including the 54 million people across the nation living with disabilities.
• Read the Press Release

President Obama Announces New Initiatives During National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

"My Administration is committed to ensuring that all Americans have the chance to fulfill their potential and contribute to our nation," said President Obama. "Across this country, millions of people with disabilities are working or want to work, and they should have access to the support and services they need to succeed. As the nation’s largest employer, the Federal Government and its contractors can lead the way by implementing effective employment policies and practices that increase opportunities and help workers achieve their full potential. We must also rededicate ourselves to fostering a work culture that welcomes the skills and talents of all qualified employees. That’s why I’ve asked the responsible agencies to develop new plans and policies to help increase employment across America for people with disabilities."

• Read the Press Release
• Read President Barack Obama’s National Disability Employment Month Proclamation

U.S. Department of Labor Holds ‘National Listening Session’ for Public Input on Reauthorization of Workforce Investment Act

• ODEP Assistant Kathy Martinez and Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment and Training Jane Oates heard comments from workforce investment systems personnel, representatives of the disability community, leaders of nonprofit organizations, academic professionals and members of the general public. Approximately 700 people attended in person, by webinar and via conference call.
• Read the Press Release

Workforce³ One Unveils a New Disability and Employment Resource Webpage

• In connection with National Disability Employment Awareness Month, Workforce³ One unveiled a new Disability and Employment Resource web page to provide employment-related resources for the workforce system. The purposes of this page are to disseminate promising practices to promote the positive employment outcomes of people with disabilities and expand the capacity of the One-Stop Career Center system to serve customers with disabilities.

DOL’s ePolicyWorks

• As part of the National Disability Employment Awareness Month, ODEP will launch ePolicyWorks, a new collaborative, information-sharing initiative among national policymakers. This 21st century approach to policy development is designed to address specific barriers to employment faced by people with disabilities by leveraging resources, as well as by encouraging coordination and integration across systems. ODEP plans to distill this initiative into topic areas, such as health care, technology, and transportation.

U.S. Department of Labor and U.S. Office of Personnel Management Federal Hiring Fair for People with Disabilities

• The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) will announce a Government-wide job fair for people with disabilities to take place in early spring 2010. The fair will include on-site interviews, workshop sessions for prospective employees on the Federal hiring process and special hiring authorities, and, most importantly, job offers to qualified applicants with disabilities. ODEP, OPM, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and the Computer/Electronic Accommodations Program will provide workshops on the Federal Schedule A hiring authority and the right to reasonable accommodations.

U.S. Department of Labor Awards Cooperative Agreements on Registered Apprenticeship and Pre-Apprenticeship Training for Youth

• Assistant Secretary Martinez recently announced that ODEP, in cooperation with the ETA, will award two cooperative agreements to develop innovative models of registered apprenticeship training for youth with disabilities. It is expected that the models will produce skilled workers in demand in high-growth, high-demand industries such as green jobs, health care, construction and information technology.

U.S. Department of Labor to Fund National Technical Assistance Center for Employers on the Employment of People with Disabilities

• The Department of Labor will announce an award of up to $1.6 million to fund a cooperative agreement to establish a National Technical Assistance Center for Employers on the Employment of People with Disabilities. The center will provide technical assistance to a wide range of employers and employer organizations on the recruitment, hiring, retention, and advancement of people with disabilities.

U.S. Department of Labor and U.S. Department of Defense Workforce Recruitment Program

• U.S. Department of Labor’s ODEP and the U.S. Department of Defense, with the participation of many other federal agencies, will conduct the 2010 season of the Workforce Recruitment Program for College Students with Disabilities (WRP). This recruitment and referral program connects federal sector employers nationwide with highly motivated postsecondary students and recent graduates with disabilities who are eager to prove their abilities in the workplace through summer or permanent jobs.

Mayors Encouraged to Proclaim “Disability.gov Day” in October

• ODEP Assistant Secretary Kathy Martinez is sending a letter to the mayor of 36 cities asking that they proclaim one day in October as “Disability.gov Day” to recognize the important contributions people with disabilities make each day in our country. The selected mayors represent the 36 cities that were finalists or winners for the National Organization on Disability’s (NOD) Accessible America Award. The letter includes a suggested proclamation highlighting the benefits of the Disability.gov Web site and a one-page fact sheet about the site.

The Campaign for Disability Employment sets a new standard for collaboration.

• The Campaign for Disability Employment is a collaborative effort to promote positive employment outcomes for people with disabilities by encouraging employers and others to recognize the value and talent they bring to the workplace.

The Social Security Administration Announces Exciting New Option for Employer Participation in the Ticket Program:

NCD National Summit on Disability Policy 2010

• Hosted by the National Council on Disability (NCD), this Summit commemorates the 20th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) with a reception, an ADA retrospective and a series of working meetings. The results of the meetings will help shape disability policy and programs for the next decade.

National Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Listening Opportunity for Disability Stakeholders

• On October 1, 2009, DOL's Employment and Training Administration (ETA) and ODEP will conduct a National "Listening" Session for disability stakeholders on the reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998. The session is part of efforts by ETA Assistant Secretary Jane Oates and ODEP Assistant Secretary Kathy Martinez to collect recommendations, from a disability perspective, on the reauthorization of the Act.

Federal Agency NDEAM Activities and Initiatives

• Navy - NAVFAC HQ : National Disability Employment Awareness Month Program - TBD
• Navy - NAWC-AD : NAWC-AD Deaf Awareness Program with DAU - November 10, 2009
• Navy - NAVAIR : Hidden Disabilities Program - November 4, 2009
• General Services Administration (GSA) : National Disability Employment Awareness Month - October 30, 2009
• Naval Support Activity (NSA) : National Disabilities Employment Awareness Month Luncheon - October 28, 2009
• National Defense University (NDU) : Disability Employment Awareness Program at NDU - October 28, 2009
• National Guard Bureau (NGB) : National Disability Employment Awareness Month Program - October 28, 2009
• National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) : Financial Planning Panel Discussion - October 27, 2009
• Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) : Lunch & Learn EventAttitudinal Barriers "Not in my Neighborhood" - October 26, 2009
• Navy - NAVSEA : NAVSEA Disability Awareness Month Observance - October 22, 2009
• Department of Labor (DoL) : National Disability Employment Awareness Month Program - October 22, 2009
• National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) : Ten Commandments of Communicating with People with Disabilities - October 22, 2009
• Broadcasting Board of Governors : Broadcasting Board of Governors - October 21, 2009
• Department of Justice (DOJ) : “Expectation + Opportunity = Full Participation” - October 21, 2009
• National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA): 2009 NDEAM Program Observance - October 21, 2009
• Navy - NAVAIR : Disability Mentoring Day - October 21, 2009
• Office of the Secretary of Defense (AT&L) : Ability One Program Recognition Ceremony - October 20, 2009
• Navy - NAWC-WD : NAWC-WD Disability Seminar (Speaker & Panel discussion) - October 20, 2009
• Department of Commerce (DOC) : NAWC-WD Disability Seminar (Speaker & Panel discussion) - October 20, 2009
• Naval Support Activity (NSA) : National Disabilities Employment Awareness Month Observance - October 16, 2009
• Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) : National Disabilities Employment Awareness Month Observance - October 16, 2009
• Environmental Proctection Agency (EPA) : National Disabilities Employment Awareness Month Observance - October 14, 2009
• National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) : Through Deaf Eyes - October 14, 2009
• National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) : Disability Programs Managers & Special Placement Coordinator Conference - October 13, 2009
• Department of the Treasury : National Disability Employment Awareness Month Program - October 9, 2009
• National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) : EAP Presentation Brown Bag - October 8, 2009
• Department of Health & Human Services (HHS): NDEAM Briefing – “Expectation + Opportunity = Full Participation” - October 7, 2009
• OPM Announces Plans to Provide On-Line Training to Hiring Officials Who Will Help Level the Playing Field for Those with Disabilities
  • Oct. 7 - The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) joined President Barack Obama today in underscoring the administration's commitment to ensuring that every American worker has access to opportunity, including the 54 million people across the nation living with disabilities. To "level the playing field" for those with disabilities, OPM announced it will launch on-line training opportunities for Federal hiring officials.
  • Read more in the Press Release
• Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) : National Disability Employment Awareness Month Program - October 7, 2009
• National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) : Operation Warfighter Program visit to NASA/GSFC - October 1, 2009
• The sign said: FOOD LION COMING SOON!
  • To some people in Wilmington, Delaware, that meant more local traffic, especially during rush hour. To others it was exciting to hear that a new supermarket was opening. Read the success story.
  • Read more about The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) and its NDEAM activities.
• Statement by U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan on National Disability Employment Awareness Month
  • Read Secretary Duncan’s Statement

Workers with Disabilities: Talent for a Winning Team

Patches of color (blues, greens, browns and purple) serve as the backdrop to the 2007 National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) poster. The theme, Workers with Disabilities: Talent for a Winning Team, is depicted by a runner's legs, one of them prosthetic, sprinting to success while crossing the patchwork. The words "October 2007 is National Disability Employment Awareness Month" appear in the upper right corner of the poster. The lower right corner includes the words "U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Disability Employment Policy" and the agency's website address.