Each October, National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) is a chance to highlight a truth that should guide us year-round: people with disabilities belong in every workplace.
Today, we celebrate the 80th anniversary of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), an annual recognition of the positive impact of people with disabilities in the American workforce. This yearly event began in 1945 as a weeklong national observance of the contributions of people with physical disabilities. In 1988, Congress designated the commemoration as NDEAM, which then evolved to acknowledge the importance of increasing opportunities for people with disabilities, including those with mental health conditions and other nonobvious disabilities, in the workforce. In 2001, the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) was created and entrusted to administer NDEAM, including the selection and promotion of its annual theme. The 2025 NDEAM theme is “Celebrating Value and Talent,” and 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.
At WNYIL, we see every day how hard people fight for that simple truth. People with disabilities, including those with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) such as autism, Down syndrome, and cerebral palsy, are too often shut out of jobs, despite bringing talent, dedication, and fresh perspectives. Only about 37% of working-age people with disabilities are employed, compared with 75% of people without disabilities. Many people with disabilities are excluded before they even get a chance. For people with IDD, the barriers are often even steeper, with employment rates lagging the broader disability community because of bias, limited access to training, and lack of employer support.
We know the difference it makes when employers get it right. We know companies that build inclusive practices not only welcoming talented employees but also improving retention, morale, and innovation across their teams. Research backs this up: companies that prioritize disability inclusion outperform their peers financially.
Accommodations and workplace supports designed for employees with disabilities benefit everyone. Flexible schedules, remote work options, clear communication practices, and accessible technology improve productivity and morale across the board. Inclusion creates workplaces where all employees can do their best work. Nothing shifts attitudes faster than real stories. We’ve seen how a single story about an employee thriving in their role can change the way a whole company thinks about disability. That’s why sharing matters. We have a lot of great stories to tell at WNYIL so let’s tell them throughout the WNY region and beyond. (Taken from The U.S. Department of Labor, The Arc, The Campaign for Disability Employment).