CELEBRATE VALUE AND TALENT

National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) is observed each October to honor the contributions of workers with disabilities and to promote inclusive employment policies and practices nationwide. Established by the U.S. Department of Labor, NDEAM underscores the importance of building workplaces where every individual has the opportunity to thrive, innovate, and lead. This annual observance serves as a reminder that disability inclusion is not only a matter of fairness but also a driver of creativity and progress across every industry.

The roots of NDEAM reach back to 1945, when President Harry S. Truman proclaimed the first “National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week.” Over time, its scope and impact grew: President Ronald Reagan expanded it to a month-long observance, President Bill Clinton highlighted its connection to the Americans with Disabilities Act, and more recent presidents have used it to showcase innovation, accessibility, and opportunity in the workplace. Now celebrating its 80th anniversary, NDEAM reflects eight decades of progress while continuing the call to action for a future where equal employment opportunities are a reality for all Americans with disabilities.