MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. -- October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, and all members of the Defense Department are encouraged to participate.
The purpose of NDEAM is to educate others on disability employment issues and celebrate the various contributions of workers with disabilities.
When service members from World War II returned with disabilities, it ignited public interest of the contributions of people with disabilities in a workplace.
This led President Harry S. Truman to establish the first week of October as National Disability Employment Week.
It was later in 1988 where Congress expanded it to a month and called it National Disability Employment Month.
Held annually, NDEAM is led by the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy, but it’s true spirit lies in the many observances held at the grassroots level across the nation every year.
Employers of all sizes and industries are encouraged to participate in NDEAM.
This year marks the 75th observation of NDEAM with this year’s theme as ‘Increasing Access and Opportunity’.
The observance includes the Department of Labor’s commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which recognizes individuals with disabilities that bring talents to the workforce.
For specific ideas about how DOD members can support NDEAM, visit www.dol.gov/NDEAM.
Support can range from simple actions, such as putting up a poster, to something more expansive like implementing a disability education program.
Regardless, the community plays an important part in fostering a more inclusive workforce, one where every person is recognized for their abilities — every day of every month.