National Disability Employment Awareness Month

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), where we honor the skills of workers with disabilities who contribute to our nation’s workplaces and economy.

In August 2021, the employment-population ratio* for people with disabilities hit 19.2%. In August 2023, it was 23.0%—the highest on record. Likely, this is partly due to pandemic-prompted changes such as access to telework and other workplace flexibilities, which may open new doors for many disabled workers. But, despite this positive trend, an unacceptable employment gap remains.

Access and Equity

It’s about access and equity—two goals that form the foundation for the work at the department’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) every month of every year. In the lead-up to NDEAM this year, the ODEP has been exploring the Rehab Act’s impact. As part of this, they have published interviews with various leaders about the law’s impact on disabled people. Also, They have developed a video explaining its various sections, which affect millions of people across the nation daily, even if they may not realize it.

A common theme that emerged while reflecting on NDEAM is that advancing access and equity for people with disabilities necessitates adapting to continual changes. For progress to occur, we must focus on the workforce as it is today. This means supporting workers with mental health conditions and fostering mental health-friendly workplaces. It means promoting accessible workplace technology. It means ensuring disabled youth can prepare for and succeed in employment. And very importantly, it means advancing competitive integrated employment, an essential issue on which the U.S. Department of Labor announced plans to engage with stakeholders nationwide actively.

Rehab Act and ADA

This National Disability Employment Awareness Month, we honor the promise of the Rehab Act and the ADA and pledge to deliver on it in a way that is equitable in reach and considers the lived experiences of all workers with disabilities, including those who may also belong to other marginalized groups. Again, it’s about advancing access and equity for all workers for the next 50 years and beyond.

* The employment-population ratio is those employed divided by the entire population (civilian, non-institutionalized population).

Source:
https://blog.dol.gov/2023/10/05/ndeam-2023-advancing-access-and-equity?_ga=2.131188943.1183046232.1697554902-301975496.1697554902