Advance Access and Equity: Celebrate National Employment Disability Month in October

Join ERI throughout October as we recognize and celebrate National Employment Disability Month (NDEAM) and the contributions of America's workers with disabilities. This year’s theme is Advancing Access and Equity.

Each year, National Employment Disability Month (NDEAM) educates 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.

There are many ways employers can show their support for advancing access and equity for people with disabilities. Here are a few suggestions from NDEAM:

• Share the “Working Works” Public Service Announcement
  • Explore the many reasons people work, including after injury or illness. Consider showing this PSA and using one of its three accompanying discussion guides to spark discussion about stay-at-work and return-to-work among co-workers, employer representatives, or healthcare professionals in a group setting.
• Establish an Employee Resource Group (ERG)
  • ERGs offer employees an opportunity to connect and receive support from others with similar backgrounds or interests. For more information, see A Toolkit for Establishing and Maintaining Successful Employee Resource Groups. If your company already has a disability ERG, consider using NDEAM to remind employees about it through displays, information tables, or other communication channels.
• Proactively Recruit People with Disabilities
  • Identify strategies for proactively advertising job openings where they may be more likely to reach candidates with disabilities. Examples include American Job Centers, state vocational rehabilitation agencies, Employment Networks under the Ticket to Work program, independent living centers, and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs regional offices.
• Get Tech Savvy
  • Learn or refresh your knowledge about the importance of accessible technology to the employment of people with disabilities. The ODEP-funded Partnership on Employment & Accessible Technology (PEAT) offers a lot of resources, including a primer called Accessible Technology Action Steps: A Guide for Employers.
• Access the Workforce Recruitment Program
  • Federal employers can use the Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP) to identify qualified, pre-screened college students and recent graduates with disabilities for summer and permanent positions for the coming year.