help develop the theme for NDEAM 2014!

Join the Conversation to Help Develop the Theme for NDEAM 2014

March 24 — March 31, 2014

Submit creative ideas to help promote the employment of people with disabilities

Have an idea for this year's National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) theme? The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) wants to hear from you!

You are invited to participate in a national online dialogue being held from March 24 through March 31 to gather ideas for this year’s NDEAM theme. Held each October, NDEAM raises awareness about disability employment issues and celebrates the many and varied contributions of America's workers with disabilities. Ideas received will assist in developing an overall theme to be incorporated into NDEAM activities and events nationwide.

Register now to participate in this important event.

A More Inclusive America: We Can’t Wait

By Kathleen Martinez, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Disability Employment Policy (Reposted from DOL’s (Work in Progress) Blog)

Today (July 26) marks 22 years since the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law. Like other pieces of civil rights legislation, this landmark law works to ensure a more inclusive America. Its passage paved the way for millions of Americans to more fully participate in all aspects of community life.

I am one of those millions of people. I was born blind. My sister Peggy was also born blind. We were the middle of six children, and as of yet there is no diagnosis for our blindness.
When Peggy and I were growing up, there was no ADA, and we didn’t know much about the emerging disability rights movement. We were too busy just being kids. But, fortunately, we had parents who understood the importance of inclusion and fought for our rights even before the law backed them up. To start, they advocated for me, and later Peggy, to attend our local public school. This allowed us to be part of, rather than separate from, our community. My parents couldn’t wait for change, so they made it happen.

Today, the ADA enshrines in law what my parents—and many others—already knew: the ideal of equal opportunity holds no water unless it truly includes all people, including people with disabilities.

That said, more than two decades after the ADA was passed, much work remains to be done. And that’s why I do what I do every day. I have the honor of leading DOL’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), which works to influence national policy and promote effective workplace practices that ensure today’s workforce is inclusive of all people.

While ODEP does not enforce the ADA, the law underpins all of our work. We assist employers and individuals in understanding their rights and responsibilities through policy development, education and guidance. I sometimes say that we at ODEP are impatient. We want change. We want action. We want inclusion. Just like my parents when I was young, we can’t wait.

We can’t wait for more employers to foster a work environment that is flexible and open to the talents of all qualified individuals. We can’t wait for more businesses to integrate people with disabilities into leadership positions. We can’t wait for a more inclusive America, one where every individual has the opportunity to fully participate in and contribute to our great nation.

Kathy Martinez is the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Disability Employment Policy.

National Disability Employment Awareness Month Posters

from disability.gov:

Held each October, National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) is a national campaign that raises awareness about disability employment issues and celebrates the many and varied contributions of America's workers with disabilities.

The theme for NDEAM 2011 is Profit by Investing in Workers with Disabilities, which promotes the valuable contributions people with disabilities make to America's workplaces and economy. 2011 NDEAM posters are now available to download or order.

We've used these posters and other offered media as a free resource to advocate for employment of people with disabilities. It's a great thing to use at work, school, home, or other public location. Get your order in early as it takes 2-3 weeks for delivery.