National Disability Employment Awareness Month
National Disability Employment Awareness Month was declared in 1988 by the United States Congress for the month of October to raise awareness of the employment needs and contributions of individuals with all types of disabilities. The month is an extension of "National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week" originally observed during the first week of October beginning in 1945.[1] In 1962 the word "physically" was removed from that week to acknowledge the employment needs and contributions of individuals with all types of disabilities. 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.[2]
Origin
In 1945, the US government pushed to educate the public about issues relating to disabilities and employment. That year Congress enacted Public Law 176, which declared the first week of October, every year, as National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week. In 1962, the word "physically" was removed to acknowledge the employment needs and contributions of individuals with all types of disabilities.[3] Congress later expanded the first week of October to the entire month of October and changed the name to National Disability Employment Awareness Month in 1988.
History
The
Initiatives
Under the United States Department of Labor is an
Georgia
- Funding a full-time counselor dedicated to maximizing positive outcomes for disabled job seekers and in the workforce.
California
- Partnering with local trainers for trucking driving to assist people with disabilities and employers within an internship.
Massachusetts
- Partnering with some local healthcare facility along with some community colleges to help with people with disabilities acquire skills with hopes of eventually helping them with job employment.
Connecticut
- Creating job fairs in order to create connections between businesses and people with disabilities hoping to result in job seekers with disabilities gaining a job.
Iowa
- Career fairs in which the job seeker is behind the table promoting their own employment ambition showcasing their skills to potential employers.
California
- Partnership Plus agreement ensure that various American Job Centers are able to provide full services for Vocational Rehabilitation clients.
New York
- "Ticket Holders," which are people who "provide employment support services to beneficiaries,"[8] are taught to acknowledge their fears and loss of benefits.
Figures
With 62.7% of non-institutionalized persons 16 and older in the workforce, only 19.5% of which have disabilities.[9]
See also
References
- ^ "What is National Disability Employment Awareness Month?". Department of Labor. Retrieved 4 January 2010.
- ^ "About | National Disability Employment Awareness Month | Library of Congress". The Library of Congress. Retrieved 2018-11-01.
- ^ Bureau, US Census. "National Disability Employment Awareness Month: October 2018". www.census.gov. Retrieved 2018-10-30.
- ^ a b c d e "National Disability Employment Awareness Month Timeline" (PDF). 2016. Retrieved 2018-10-16.
- ^ "Executive Order 13163". US Department of Transportation. 2015-04-07. Retrieved 2018-10-30.
- ^ a b "Disability Employment Initiative (DEI) - Office of Disability Employment Policy - United States Department of Labor". www.dol.gov. Retrieved 2018-10-30.
- ^ "WorkforceGPS: Disability Employment Initiative". dei.workforcegps.org. Retrieved 2018-10-30.
- ^ "Coordinations with Partner Programs" (PDF). United States Department of Labor. Retrieved 2018-10-29.
- ^ "National Disability Employment Awareness Month Facts and Figures" (PDF). DiversityInc. 2016. Retrieved 2018-10-16.