Ways to Celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month October 2023

National Disability Employment Awareness Month, often abbreviated as NDEAM and run by the Office of Disability Employment Policy, is a time to recognise the incredible potential, talents and contributions of employees with disabilities, with the principles of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) at the forefront.

As i’m in the USA during National Disability Employment Awareness Month for the first part of my Churchill Fellowship, it seemed apt to talk about the importance of this month as I meet and talk to disabled advocates and allies living within the USA.

In the UK, I feel that it’s a shame and a missed opportunity that there isn’t a similar month for this specific area of recognition and awareness- I would love for this awareness month to be adopted internationally, but until then, wherever you are in the world, what can you do to honour this important month? What can you do to take steps towards a more inclusive workforce?

What is National Disability Employment Awareness Month? 

NDEAM is an opportunity for employers, organisations and communities to educate themselves about disability employment issues and learn about the resources available to support people with disabilities in their career development. It encourages employers to create accessible and inclusive work environments, offer reasonable accommodations and provide equal opportunities for people with disabilities.   

This month-long awareness month also seeks to challenge misconceptions and stereotypes surrounding disability and employment. It emphasises that people with disabilities possess valuable skills, knowledge and experiences that can contribute to businesses and society. 

By recognising the potential and talents of people with disabilities, NDEAM aims to promote a more inclusive and equal society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive in the workplace. It encourages people with disabilities to pursue their career goals and empowers them to showcase their abilities and accomplishments. 

NDEAM is an annual event in the USA that serves as a reminder to create inclusive workplaces that value diversity. It's a call to action for employers, employees and communities to work together to remove barriers and promote accessibility for people with disabilities to achieve meaningful employment and reach their full potential.  

The Theme for NDEAM 2023

The theme for NDEAM 2023 is Advancing Access and Equity. It signifies a collective commitment to building a society where every person has an equal opportunity to participate fully in the workforce. It's a rallying call to promote equitable employment policies and practices, ensuring everyone can contribute to and reap the benefits of a diverse and inclusive workplace. 

Advancing Access and Equity urges us to dismantle barriers, foster inclusivity and create a world where everyone feels empowered and included. It's about championing the potential, skills and experiences that disabled people bring to the table while also celebrating our achievements. Ultimately, it's about working towards a future where everyone can be recognised and accepted in the workplace no matter their needs and reasonable adjustments, feeling valued and supported to thrive.

The Importance of Awareness Days and Months

The reality is that people with disabilities still face barriers and experience discrimination in the workplace and beyond. Awareness weeks and months like NDEAM and National Inclusion Week in the UK are needed to address and rectify these disparities and promote equal opportunity for all citizens. 

National Inclusion Week in the UK, for instance, has focused on themes such as Take Action, Make Impact (2023), Time To Act, The Power of Now (2022), United for Inclusion (2021) and Each One, Reach One (2020). These themes highlight the importance of striving towards an inclusive culture for all. 

However, with conversations about inclusion in general for National Inclusion Week, there's a challenge in shifting the focus from the broader spectrum of inclusivity to the specific issues of inaccessibility and disabilities. Inclusion encompasses various aspects such as gender, race, age, sexual orientation, and more. While these discussions are undoubtedly essential and valid, the multifaceted nature of inclusion can sometimes make it challenging to give inaccessibility and disabilities the attention they need.  

Awareness days and months dedicated to specific issues and themes serve as a reminder to ensure that every facet of inclusion receives the attention and action required for true equality. So, why do I think NDEAM needs to be recognised internationally? The challenges and barriers people with disabilities face with employment extend beyond the USA! This month of raising awareness and encouraging action-taking towards a future where people with disabilities have the same employment opportunities accessible to them, are supported and have the same opportunities to create fulfilling work lives should be international, as this is a global issue.

What is the Importance of NDEAM?  

National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) isn't just a token observance; it plays a pivotal role. To understand its significance, let's dive into why disability employment awareness matters:

1. Bridging the Employment Gap: Despite the undeniable skills of people with disabilities, there's an employment gap. NDEAM highlights this gap and calls for action to close it, ensuring everyone has a fair shot at gainful employment.

2. Empowering Individuals: By promoting inclusive hiring practices, NDEAM empowers people with disabilities to pursue their career aspirations. It encourages them to showcase their skills, fostering self-esteem and independence.

3. Inclusive Workplaces: Inclusive workplaces benefit everyone involved. They foster a sense of belonging, promote teamwork and stimulate creativity and innovation. Through NDEAM, American organisations champion the idea that diversity isn't a challenge to overcome but an asset to embrace.

4. Breaking Stereotypes: NDEAM challenges stereotypes surrounding disability and employment. It underscores that disability does not define a person's potential or limit their contributions to the workforce. By breaking these stereotypes through NDEAM, American organisations pave the way for a more inclusive society.

5. Advancing Access and Equity: One key aspect of disability employment is ensuring access and equity in the workplace. NDEAM advocates for creating environments where people with disabilities have equal access to resources, opportunities and accommodations, ensuring they can fully participate in the workforce. It promotes fairness and levels the playing field for all employees, fostering a more just society.

Brief Statistics on the Employment Gap for People with Disabilities

While progress has advanced a little, the employment gap for workers with disabilities remains a concern, and this is the same across the pond for both the UK and the USA.

• In the UK, the disability employment rate, published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), was 52.6% from July to September 2022, compared to 82.5% for non-disabled people.

• In the USA, a 2022 report by the Bureau of Labour Statistics found that only 21.3% of disabled people were employed, compared to 65.4% of employed non-disabled people. 

6 Ways to Celebrate and Observe NDEAM at Work

Celebrating NDEAM at work is not just about awareness; it's about taking tangible actions to promote inclusivity and support employees with disabilities. Here are six ways to recognise and observe NDEAM in your workplace:

1. Raise Awareness: Launch an internal campaign to educate employees about NDEAM's significance, goals and the importance of disability inclusion in the workplace. Share success stories of employees with disabilities to inspire others.

2. Inclusive Hiring: Review your hiring practices to ensure they align with the principles of inclusivity. Consider establishing partnerships with disability organisations or job placement agencies to broaden your candidate pool.

3. Accessibility Audits: Conduct accessibility audits of your workplace, both physical and digital, to identify and address barriers. Ensure that all facilities and technology are accessible to employees with disabilities.

4. Celebrate Achievements: Recognise and celebrate the achievements of employees with disabilities in your organisation. Highlight their contributions and showcase their talents through newsletters, social media or internal events.

5. Encourage Employee Resource Groups: Support the creation of employee resource groups (ERGs) focused on disability inclusion. These groups provide a platform for employees to connect, share experiences and drive positive change.

6. Offer Training and Support: Provide training on disability awareness and etiquette for all employees. Encourage managers to start open conversations with their team members about accommodations and individual needs.

You don't need to be a part of a USA company to participate in and implement these initiatives. Ensuring equal opportunity to create an inclusive workplace where all employees can thrive should come at every time of the year. But awareness days/months help 'sell' the time or money investment to stakeholders; don't ignore them if they align with your company values.

So use this month as a springboard into having these conversations, whether as a team, suggesting a review of your policies, hosting a lunch and learn or committing to overhauling your recruitment and retention processes.

If you're striving for access and equity and want to build an inclusive and accessible workplace, check out my Work With Me page to consider how I can support you.