According to the U.S Department of Labor, October is National Disability Awareness Month. The Department of Labor is encouraging employers to recognize and seek out those individuals with disabilities seeking employment, “recognizing that these individuals represent a highly skilled talent pool”. According to the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy’s news release, announced in May of this year, the official theme for October's National Disability Employment Awareness Month is: "A Strong Workforce is an Inclusive Workforce: What Can YOU Do?" This tone seeks to remind employers that talent can be found in all individuals, especially those who may have disabilities.
The Department of Labor believes that earlier announcements of the theme will have provided communities time to reinforce awareness through events and meetings, such as public awareness programs and job fairs that showcase the skills and talents of workers with disabilities. There are also many local and national companies that promote inclusion of workers with disabilities. For a listing of those companies, click here.
If you would like to know more about what you can do to promote the awareness of National Disability Awareness Month, the following websites may be helpful:
• National Center on Physical Activity and Disability (NCPAD)