This October we are celebrating 76 years of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM).
Every year, thousands of persons with disabilities get looked over for jobs. This is not because the individual is less qualified or unable to meet job needs. Persons with disabilities go unemployed because their disabilities are seen as liabilities, they are seen as unable to perform, and employers are worried that accommodations may not be affordable. This is why NDEAM is so special – it aims to educate employers and others about disability employment issues and barriers while also celebrating the contributions of America’s workers with disabilities.
This year, NDEAM’s theme is “America’s Recovery: Powered by Inclusion,” reflecting the importance of ensuring persons with disabilities have equitable access to employment and community involvement during and after the recovery of the COVID-19 pandemic.
NDEAM is not just an October celebration. Both Employers and Job Seekers can work to spark awareness and benefits of disability employment all year round. Check out our 5 ways to stay engaged:
HOW CAN EMPLOYERS PARTICIPATE IN NDEAM THIS MONTH AND EVERY MONTH***
- Look at your current inclusion plan and evaluate with your team if your organization is putting those practices into use.
- Compile a file of office supplies, equipment, or layout variations that can assist in making the work environment for any onboarding employees. This can save time and stress from having to prepare after you’ve hired a candidate.
- Hold organization wide, inclusive practices seminars. This can assist in making sure everyone knows your workplace policies, so if issues arise, accountability can be held and everyone within the organization can be on one cohesive page.
- Share timely and fresh content for your employee newsletter or internal website. Articles could address a range of topics, such as general information about the company’s commitment to an inclusive workplace, the process for requesting reasonable accommodations, or perhaps recognizing the contributions of employees with disabilities – either in general or on an individual level.
- Disability Mentoring Day promotes career development for youth with disabilities through hands-on programs, job shadowing and ongoing mentoring. The nationwide observance is the third Wednesday of each October, but companies may choose to host their own events on any day of the month (or year for that matter). The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) offers information to assist in implementing a Disability Mentoring Day event.
HOW CAN EMPLOYEES PARTICPATE IN NDEAM THIS MONTH AND EVERY MONTH***
- Do you have a rock-solid resume? It may be time to polish up your existing resume or start from scratch. It is always helpful to have multiple resumes on hand that are tailored to the specific jobs that you are applying to as same or similar positions can sometime require a different set of skills.
- Learn more about Centers for Independent Living and the resources and programs that they have for persons seeking employment. CIL’s can provide resume and cover letter writing assistance, assistance finding you employment with openly inclusive employers, as well as providing you with training that can help you in the workplace.
- Learning about the Ticket to Work Program can help you in a major way. The Social Security Administrations Ticket to Work Program provides support for career development for those who receive SSI benefits ages 18 – 64.
- Get interview-ready. It may be hard to prepare for interviews you have not even gotten yet, but always keeping in mind your strengths, weakness, and answers to common questions such as, “What has been one scenario where you did not understand your assignment and how did you overcome it,” will put you ahead of the game.
- Advocate for yourself. Advocating for yourself can be speaking up for yourself in unfair situations, making contact with a recent hiring manager expressing that you are still interested in a position and know that you are a perfect fit, or even addressing accommodation issues in the workplace. Holding people accountable not only can help you work in a safer and more pleasant environment but help your employer understand challenges that are present in the workplace.
