Celebrating National Disability Employment Awareness Month

The purpose of National Disability Employment Awareness (NDEA) Month is to educate about disability employment issues, while celebrating the many and varied contributions of America's workers with disabilities. This year's NDEA Month theme is "Disability: Part of the Equity Equation." 

The history of National Disability Employment Awareness Month traces back to 1945, when Congress enacted a law declaring the first week in October 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. In 1988, Congress expanded the week to a month and changed the name to National Disability Employment Awareness Month. 

To learn more about how to participate in National Disability Employment Awareness Month and ways to promote its messages—during October and throughout the year—visit www.dol.gov/NDEAM.