National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) was originally called “National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week” when Congress, in 1945, declared the first week of October an opportunity for employers to look beyond a person’s physical limitations. In the 71 years since, perceptions have changed, verbiage has been updated to better reflect the limitation rather than the person with the limitation, and the growing movement of #InclusionWorks is celebrated with various events, small and large, around the state of Tennessee throughout the month of October.
The United Stated Department of Labor chose as this year’s theme #InclusionWorks and it “…seeks to inspire social media awareness of workers with disabilities.”
“By fostering a culture that embraces individual differences, including disabilities, businesses profit by having a wider variety of tools to confront challenges. Our nation’s most successful companies proudly make inclusion a core value. They know that inclusion works. It works for workers, it works for employers, it works for opportunity, and it works for innovation.”
-Jennifer Sheehy, deputy assistant secretary of labor for disability employment policy
Organizations are encouraged to hold their own NDEAM events or join events in their area to show their support for the diversity brought to the community, gain valuable knowledge to bring back to their employees, and celebrate the countless and diverse contributions of the American worker with disabilities. The events held throughout the U.S. embody the ‘can-do’ spirit of people who deal with varied limitations on a daily basis.
A honored and proud supporter of NDEAM, The Center for Literacy, Education and Employment’s Corporate Connections Account Representatives in collaboration with the Tennessee Division of Rehabilitation Services are coordinating and supporting events throughout the state. These events include:
-Disability Mentoring
-Awards and Recognition for employers and employees
-Community Awareness events
-Employer Outreach and Educational presentations