October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM)

Celebrating the importance of promoting equal opportunity for all people

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) and this year also honors the 50th anniversary of the passage of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

The 2023 NDEAM theme is “Advancing Access and Equity”. This year’s theme “Advancing Access and Equity:Then, Now and Next” was selected to celebrate the passage of the Rehabilitation Act a half-century ago and its importance in prohibiting discrimination based on disability in employment by federal agencies, federal contractors and recipients of federal funds, and in the delivery of federally funded programs and activities.

In October (and all year-round), Americans observe National Disability Employment Awareness Month by paying tribute to the accomplishments of the men and women with disabilities whose work helps keep the nation’s economy strong and by reaffirming their commitment to ensure equal opportunity for all citizens. Above all, NDEAM is a call to action to develop better employment outcomes and opportunities for workers with disabilities. While economic recovery and the labor shortage in Maine is well known, we continue to see workers with disabilities face exclusion from the workforce and discrimination.

Here are a few ways you can join us this month:

1. Post to social media!

   1. Check out the Office of Disability Employment Policy’s website has put together a toolkit of key messages, graphics, and more to make posting ot your social media easy! Check it out at https://www.dol.gov/agencies/odep/initiatives/ndeam/key-messages

2. Join our email list

   1. As our project continues to progress, employment will become important as we get closer to opening our doors. Stay up-to-date with resources, opporutunties to join us, and updates on our project! http://3ihome.org/emailsignup

3. Review your employers hiring process

4. Feature a speaker with a disability

While October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, employment equality is a topic we must all bring attention too all year round. Follow our project at The Downs on social media, our website, and by joining our email list.