October 2021: National Disability Employment Awareness Month

This month the US celebrates National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM).

Organised every October by the US Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), NDEAM commemorates the many and varied contributions of people with disabilities to America’s workplaces and economy. Its Campaign for Disability Employment encourages organisations of all sizes and in all industries to participate in NDEAM. This year’s theme is America’s Recovery: Powered by Inclusion.

The workplace is an important part of NDEAM. It’s the perfect time for workplaces to educate staff about disability employment issues and celebrate the many and varied contributions of America’s workers with disabilities. Here are a few ways that employers and their employees can participate, not only this month but all year long, according to ODEP:

1. Review policies

This month is an opportune time to review your company’s policies to ensure they convey a commitment to an inclusive workplace culture.

2. Establish an employee resource group

NDEAM is a perfect time to launch a disability Employee Resource Group (ERG). Sometimes referred to as Employee Networks or Affinity Groups, ERGs offer employees an opportunity to connect and receive support from others with similar backgrounds or interests. If your company already has a disability ERG, consider using NDEAM to remind employees about it through displays, information tables or other communication channels.

3. Create a display

NDEAM is a great time to freshen up bulletin boards in break areas or other locations that employees frequent by posting positive messages about your company’s commitment to a disability-inclusive workforce.

4. Train supervisors

Supervisors are the individuals closest to an organisation’s workforce. As part of NDEAM, consider conducting training to ensure they understand their role in fostering an inclusive workplace culture. Such training may include a review of relevant policies, including the process for providing reasonable accommodations.

5. Educate employees

It is critical that companies committed to disability inclusion effectively and regularly reinforce that commitment to employees. NDEAM offers an opportunity to do this through disability training or informal educational events such as brown-bag lunch discussions. ODEP has several ready-to-use resources and accompanying workplace discussion guide. Or contact local disability organisations to see if they offer workplace training programmes.

6. Communicate your activities internally and eternally

NDEAM offers timely and fresh content for an 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 recognising the contributions of employees with disabilities – either in general or on an individual level. Your company’s top executive could also issue a message to all employees recognising NDEAM. And share on social media using the hashtag #NDEAM. Employers can also issue a press release to local media to announce their involvement in NDEAM.

7. Participate in Disability Mentoring Day

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) also offers information to assist in implementing a Disability Mentoring Day event.

For additional inspiration, check out Beyond NDEAM: Year-Round Employer Strategies for Advancing Disability Inclusion.

STATE OF DISABILITY AT WORK

Although people with disabilities represent 15% of the global population, they are often ‘overlooked’ or ‘left out’ of diversity initiatives, programmes and basic workplace inclusion discussions, according to a new report. Another recent report has revealed the shocking state of disability representation in business. Click here to read more.

Additionally, around one in three disabled workers say that they’ve been treated unfairly by their employers during the Covid-19 pandemic, according to a new poll. Click here to continue reading.