NDEAM

Two people wearing bright yellow safety vests and headsets working in a warehouse. The left side of the image has the words "NDEAM 2025 80th Anniversary."

National Disability Employment Awareness Month
Celebrating Value and Talent

October 2025 

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, and everyone is encouraged to participate. The purpose of National Disability Employment Awareness Month is to educate about disability employment issues and celebrate the many and varied contributions of America's workers with disabilities.

Held annually, National Disability Employment Awareness Month is led by the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy, but its true spirit lies in the many observances held at the grassroots level across the nation every year. Employers of all sizes and in all industries are encouraged to participate in NDEAM.

For specific ideas about how you can support National Disability Employment Awareness Month, visit www.dol.gov/NDEAM. Suggestions range from simple, such as putting up a poster, to comprehensive, such as implementing a disability education program. Regardless, all play an important part in fostering a more inclusive workforce, one where every person is recognized for his or her abilities — every day of every month.

 

 

US Department of Labor announces ‘Celebrating Value and Talent’ as National Disability Employment Awareness Month’s 2025 theme

Annual commemoration in October celebrates contributions of workers with disabilities

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced that its Office of Disability Employment Policy has chosen “Celebrating Value and Talent” as the theme for the 80th anniversary of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, which will be observed in October. 

NDEAM annually honors the contributions of America’s workers with disabilities and showcases supportive workplace policies and practices that benefit employees and employers alike. As part of the lead up to America’s 250th anniversary in 2026, this year’s observance will highlight the achievements of Americans with disabilities both past and present.

“Celebrating America means celebrating the value and talent that all Americans – including people with disabilities – add to our nation’s workplaces and communities,” said Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer. “As we approach the 80th anniversary of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, the Department of Labor remains committed to ensuring all people have the opportunity to find meaningful work.”

In 1945, the nation first designated a national week to recognize the contribution of people with physical disabilities. Designated by Congress as NDEAM in 1988, the commemoration evolved to acknowledge the importance of increasing the number of people with disabilities in the workforce. In 2001, ODEP was created and was given responsibility for NDEAM and for selecting and helping promote its annual theme.

For more information about NDEAM, visit www.dol.gov/ndeam. The annual NDEAM poster is expected to be available in summer. 

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Governor's Disability Employment Awareness Month Proclamation

Coming soon.

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National Disability Employment Awareness Month History

It is the goal of nearly everyone in the world to be employed, to be successful, and make enough money to sustain their way of life. All of this hinges on the ability to get a job. But only 33.1 percent of people aged 16-64 who have disabilities are active in the work force.

National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) is trying to combat this low percentage. It has its roots in 1945, when Congress passed a proclamation stating that the first week of October would be classified as “Nationally Employ the Physically Handicapped” week in support of returning veterans. In 1962 the week was opened up to all disabled Americans when the word “physical” was removed. In 1988, the week was expanded to a month, and it was renamed with the title we know today.

The Office of Disability Employment Policy took over the organization of the month in 2001. The month of October is now host to a myriad of events and celebrations, including White Cane Safety Awareness Day and World Sight Day. In many places it is also the setting for events promoting, and celebrating, different forms of disabilities. Many states have laws regarding the third week of October as a week for acknowledging the role those with disabilities have had in our history and the world today, as well as to bring light to how those with disabilities were treated in the past.

National Disability Employment Awareness Month is a statement that those with disabilities can – and do – accomplish great and helpful things, and that everyone should have equal access and opportunity to be a successful, integral part of society.

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White Cane Safety Awareness Day, October 15

White Cane History

The long white cane is a tool for many blind people. It seems to have always been there, ready to help the independent traveler discover their surroundings. But it has only become powerful, and prevalent, in the past fifty years, despite being used sporadically throughout history. The symbolism of the cane has grown so powerful in fact that it has its own day to promote and reinforce how amazing it is, and all it does in the lives of millions.

White Cane Safety Day was created to promote independence using a cane, and to alert and remind sighted drivers of the correct traffic procedures when sharing the road with blind people. Though laws concerning the white cane were put in place in 1930, the enforcement of many early law were often debated. Because of this, many were ineffective. The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) saw this need and acted on it.

During their 1963 convention the NFB asked the states to recognize the fifteenth of October as White Cane Safety Day and a recognition of blind independence. The request was granted by Congress in October 1964. One condition requested in the creation of the observance was that it would always come with a presidential proclamation, stating the day’s significance. Lyndon B. Johnson was the first president to make this proclamation.

Because of this great leap forward, new laws regarding blind travelers have been put in place throughout the United States, many based on model law written by Dr. Jacobus tenBroek. It is because of these laws that the white cane has the empowering qualities that it does, and blind citizens of America have and ability to move as freely and safely as sighted travelers.

October 15 has also been proclaimed as "Blind Americans Equality Day" by every U.S. President since 2011.  Blind Americans Equality Day, celebrates and recognizes the accomplishments and contributions of Americans who are blind or visually disabled.

For more information, visit the National Federation of the Blind website.

Washington White Cane Law

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