In collaboration with its disability partners, DirectEmployers today announced its participation in National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). This annual awareness campaign is led by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) with the goal of providing education around disability employment issues, while also commending the contributions of individuals with disabilities to the American workforce. The chosen theme to promote this year’s campaign is, “My disability is one part of who I am.”
The history of National Disability Employment Awareness Month traces 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.
“This year’s theme encapsulates the important message that people with disabilities are just that — people,” said Jennifer Sheehy, acting assistant secretary of labor for disability employment policy. “And like all people, we are the sum of many parts, including our work experiences. Disability is an important perspective we bring to the table, but, of course, it’s not the only one.”
Reflecting this year’s theme, throughout the month, DirectEmployers Association will be engaging in a variety of activities to educate its members on disability employment issues and its commitment to an inclusive work culture. These efforts include:
- Webinars with presenters from C5 Consulting, LLC and the Job Accommodation Network
- Educational blog posts from Easter Seals, Enable America, Cornell University’s Employment and Disability Institute, Autism Speaks and C5 Consulting, LLC
“DirectEmployers is a supporter of disability employment all year, but especially proud to participate in National Disability Employment Awareness Month,” said Bill Warren, executive director of DirectEmployers Association. “We represent the nation’s top employers and work each day to provide education surrounding disability employment, while also spreading the message that our members value a diverse and inclusive workforce.”
Employers and employees in all industries can learn more about how to participate in National Disability Employment Awareness Month by visiting www.dol.gov/ndeam.
About DirectEmployers Association
DirectEmployers Association is a nonprofit Member-owned and managed association formed in 2001 by 14 leading Fortune 500 companies searching for a way to reduce recruiting costs, while regaining ownership of their recruitment brand. Through collaboration with these individuals, DirectEmployers developed proprietary technology that has since led to the creation of our flagship product—a federal contractor compliance solution that assists with the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Program’s (OFCCP) VEVRAA mandatory listing requirements and Section 503 regulations. Now with over 800 employers varying in industry and size, we’ve expanded our Member benefits to include a Partner Relationship Manager (PRM), networking and educational opportunities and fully customizable Recruitment Marketing Solutions.
