The theme of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) 2008 is "America's People... America's Talent... America's Strength!"
This year's theme is designed to convey the signfiicant contributions Americans with disabilities can make and do make in the workplace and the economy. Neil Romano, assistant secretary for the Labor Department´s Office of Disability Employment Policy, says. "People with disabilities are the next great wave of diversity, and diversity fosters innovation to drive our economy and our nation into the future."
NDEAM began in 1945, when Congress deemed the first week in October each 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. In 1988, Congress expanded the week to a month, declaring October "National Disability Employment Awareness Month."
White House Press Release:
US Department of Labor:
http://www.dol.gov/odep/faqs/ndeam.htm
http://www.dol.gov/odep/faqs/ndeam.htm
Department of Veteran's Affairs:
Work World:
48 comments:
I like the theme of the national disability employment awareness month 2008. It focuses on the talent and strength of people with disabilities. Compared to 1945 when congress enacted the law declaring the first week in October as “National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week”. It a good thing congress expanded the week to whole month of October and the name change was a good idea. Maybe, employers can get a little insight on how people with disabilities can make a good employee. They can be a great contribution to their company. We have to spread the good attributes that every person has. Angie K.
I agree with you Angie. There needs to be greater emphasis placed on the contributions that persons with disabilities have given in the past and continue to contribute to the working world instead of just focusing on the negative aspects. It would also be great if there was more publicity on the theme...it gets drowned by Breast Cancer Awareness, which ofcourse, is also very important.
Norfy G.
Nat’l Disability Employment Awareness Month
By establishing October as the National Disability Employment Awareness Month, I believe that the Department of Labor, the Department of Education, and other entities should coordinate a daily article educating all federal, state and local agencies and businesses about disabilities. This could be accomplished through massive emails. The daily emails could include different bits of information about various disabilities, employment for people with disabilities, and other educational information. Furthermore, commercials on T.V. should be established to advertise different facts about various disabilities along with statistics showing the benefits to hiring people with disabilities. I believe that these commercials should run on all local networks not just AbleTV network that is designed specifically for the community of people with disabilities that provides activities, information and assistive technologies for people with disabilities. In addition, local T.V. stations can run short segments during their news broadcast as feature stories to combat negative stereotypes of people with disabilities, address particular disabilities in the workplace, and the ADA.
Blog 6 Diana F.
Our campus will have activities throughout the week. On Monday, beginning at 9:00 A.M., there will be a white cane walk from the parking lot behind the SBSC building. If anyone can make, it will be a great educational ezperience. There are also other events being held throughout the week. Apparently there are flyers posted on campus. I feel that the Office of Disabilities and others organizing activities need to do a better job of advertising. I was completely oblivious that these events were going on. If individuals with disabilities want/expect their concerns to be understood/considered/noticed, we need to do a better job communicating. Apparently there was a desire to get qualified experts to speak on the needs of people with disabilities, but we are not communicating. I understand that many of the students in the Rehab program work full time, but if you can come to the events being held on campus, do so. Unfortunately, our economy is in a slump and history shows that individuals with disabilities will be passed over for employment. It's a harsh reality we all need to be aware of. If the unemployment rate of PWDs stands at approximately 70%, I am skeptical things will soon improve. Always the realist.
Rosie G
I believe that this will enable people with disabilities to be acknowledge and show their contribution to the community.
I believe that this will enable people with disabilities to be acknowledge and show their ncontribution to the community.
I currently work with an non-profit organization that believes in finding people with disabilities employment and providing people with training, work experience job coaching and so much more. I agree with this article; people with disabilities do have great work ethics and are very hard working. For example, I noticed that some of the consumers that are working with in our company find excitement, when working and at the end of the day do not want to leave when their shift is over. I work with people who have mental retardation, epilepsy and Down syndrome and depression. I have observed, assisted in techniques and the motivation people have when it comes to work.
MM-M. Munoz
I also agree with angie and the rest of the people who have left comments. It is good that congress has now changed the awarenss to a whole month instead of a week. I also agree that it needs more publicity needs to be done in order for everyone to become more aware.
Alex S.
Its about time the government started to acknowlege everyone, even the people with disabilities. Every person has an opinion and is entitled to speak his or her mind. That time has finally arrived and for one it will make a huge impact on life. Let there be no limits but the sky itself.
Arturo D
What an execellent idea to expand National Disability Employment Awareness Month from a week to a whole month! The removal of the word "physically" shows that we are better understanding people with disabilities, however; we still need a lot of work where those needs are concerned.
People with disabilities make great employees, I can still recall seeing them trying their best to fulfill their duties when they were brought over to the restaurant that my husband managed, they were very hard workers, they never gave up on their focus as to what was their responsibilities on the job, and they were always eager to help, and always with a smile!
T. Estrada
MM-M. Munoz has said it best in describing people with disabilities at work, I couldn't agree more with Munoz, and it's true when the end of their shift comes an end they don't want to leave.
T. Estrada
What an execellent idea to expand National Disability Employment Awareness Month from a week to a whole month! The removal of the word "physically" shows that we are better understanding people with disabilities, however; we still need a lot of work where those needs are concerned.
People with disabilities make great employees, I can still recall seeing them trying their best to fulfill their duties when they were brought over to the restaurant that my husband managed, they were very hard workers, they never gave up on their focus as to what was their responsibilities on the job, and they were always eager to help, and always with a smile!
T. Estrada
I recently attended a conference in San Antonio with the Coalition for Individuals with Disabiltiy. There is a poster that was made by the Governor's Committee on People with Disability. I have recently passed out to center location this wonderful colored poster that state the following: "America's People......... America's Talent......American's Strenth! I believe that this is wonderful National Awareness Month. I believe that VAIL is working very hard in promoting this awareness. It is nice to have organization that advocate for individuals with disabilities.
Jenny G.
This is great.Im glad congress expanded this in 1988 to a month instead of a week. This is another way society can get familiar and knowledge about persons with disabilities.
Ediel B
i like what angie k said "We have to spread the good attributes that every person has." People are capable of remarkable things if given the chance; and every individual deserves to show their remarkability! Crystal O.
I believe it is good that a whole month is being committed for national disablity employment awareness. It gives the public more time to be exposed to specific contributions that employees with disablilites have done. I am not familiar with too many of them and this gives me a, I guess you can say a window of oppurtunity to get informed along with the rest of our country.
Unfortunately this is still one of the few times I have heard of any mention on the awareness going on in October. I might have heard a blurb in the national news in the past but nothing specific. Of course this time around more aware of it due to the program and being back in the classroom.
Now that congress has made the name change and expanded the time for awareness; it is up to individuals like us to do research and inform the public on these issues. In needs to be a joint effort for everyone involved, the individuals with disabilities, the employers and the professionals working in Rehab or anyone working with indiviuals with disabilities and most importantly the families.
These are the people that live with these issues on a daily basis and who better to share with us the good and bad experiences.
MarilynC
It is great that they are devoting a whole month for national disablity employment awareness. Even though this is the first time I personally hear about this, maybe more should be done so that this can be honored better.
Raquel M
I think this was something good that was done. This way, people now that persons with a disability can do a lot, and that their disability won't stop them from working.
Alma D.
Interesting. I keep reading how things are great. Jenny G. mentioned how she recently attended a conference in San Antonio with the Coalition for Individuals with Disabilities. Apparently there is a "beautiful, colorful" poster circulating somewhere. My question to all those individuals who are/were, as many events have already occured, Why didn't you share the information with your fellow students?
Its nice that finally the people with disabilities are being rewarded with a month that acknowledges them of the work they have done to help this country. However i believe that in order for everyone to know of this month there should be a way of promoting it such as in the news etc.
Omar O.
This is a great theme for such an important cause that in the past didn’t and sometimes doesn’t get enough or the right kinds of attention. It is important for us to recognize the significance of the history of disability and how it has evolved to what it once was decades ago. This awareness is a great way to show how many of the programs that put people back to work are working for those with disabilities as well. With the unemployment rate of individuals with disabilities nearing 75%, this is a great way to show the rest of the nation that anyone no matter the circumstances of life, individuals with disabilities are capable of being good employees. Along with the recognition of employment for individual with disabilities, the national awareness is a month long, giving importance to the issue of disability and employment and how important they are to each other for those who are able to find productive employment. Juan N. 9 of 12
This is a great way to influence persons with disabilities to work. National Disability Employment Awareness Month is a blessing to people who are disabled and are preparing to work or are already working because the disabled community should have a time of the year to be recognized. We have many holidays such as Veterans Day of Memorial Day where persons with disabilities are most likely outcasts. My point is that most persons with disabilities wish to but cannot be recognized as a veteran. This year's theme is outstanding because it focuses on people's strengths. This may seem contradictory but there are always two sides to everything and I am going to make the other point. As good as it is to be recognized, having holidays to remember or recognize certain people also be a bad thing. Grouping or categorizing people by abilities or accomplishments can be known as labeling them as well. There are individuals with disabilities who chose not to work. The problem is other people seeing these individuals as being lazy when they are either not ready for work or afraid of losing their benefits such as Medicaid. We do not celebrate when nondisabled people as a group get employed. As you can see there is a benefit and a downside of having this recognition.
-Elizabeth H.
I like the theme of the national disability awareness month 2008. It's great that in 1988 congress expanded the disability awareness week to a month. It really means something. It's nice for PWD and also for PWOD because like the article read it shows that diversity and PWD are being acknowledge.
Rosario G.
I certainly love the theme of the NDEAM 2008, it focuses on strenght & talent. I agree with Neil Romano, as more awareness is availalbe in regards to disability, it is noticeable that the next wave of diversity with impact on our economoy will be people with disabilities. Judging from 1945 to now, we, as a society have come a long ways. Paty C
It is interesting to find out that a “National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week” has its beginnings from the 1940’s. How it was recognized by Congress as a whole week dedicated to people with a physical impairment. Later it was modified and only about 20+ years ago it turned into a whole awareness month for different people with disabilities. They believed that there was a need for contribution that every citizen was capable of making. They had a committee that understood how and knew those who had disabilities and what kind of work they were able to do as well as placing them in jobs that were suitable for their needs. It is so interesting that people have been advocating for people with disabilities for a long time and trying to get the message across that diverse people with disabilities can and ought to be employed. All this having in mind that anyone can play their full part in strengthening our Nation regardless of disability or not..
janneth a.
I think it's great that they expanded the theme of National Disability Awareness Month from a week to the month it now is! People with disabilities do make significant contributions and they should be showcased and talked about. I also love the slogan, and think it's great that the word strength was used. It is time that people with disabilities are known and strong and that they do have independence, instead of the stereotypes and attitudes of them being seen as weak or victims or even heros. They are people who work hard and do what we all are trying to get done everyday and that should be recognized, and I am happy that there efforts in employment and the workplace are.
Laura E.
i never really knew there was anational disability employment awareness month until i started talkin rehab classes...now i see the flyers around the university and it feels awesome to kno that i am getting into the field which is the cause for the week. the theme is awesome it shows that people with disabilities are of a different diversity and with them we are stronger and better together..Gary G.
I do believe congress has come a long way in recognizing the disabled as being part of the work environment. Unfortunately, not everyone feels the same way when it comes to hiring "disabled" individuals. There are companies or employers that are still stereotyping people with disabilities. I work with a non profit organization that serves the disabled population and I have experienced with some of my clients, that discrimination still exist within some companies. Unfortunately, some employers do not see people with disabilities as an asset to their company. On the other hand, there are a few who have been employed and enjoy what they do because these individual take pride in folding the napkins or filling the salt shakers. These small tasks put a smile on their faces. But I do believe that employers should put more trust in the individuals and give them a chance to prove themselves by offering a more challenging position within the company. They need to be treated as equals. They are just as capable of doing the job sometimes even better than a person who is physically/mentally healthy. Remember this is National Disability Employment Awareness Month and we as Rehabilitation Master Candidates need to go out and advocate.Igarza
That awesome that it has been increased to a month rather than a week. At UTPA last week they had a fund raiser for breast cancer and although i wasnt running it, i did go out and support the monopoly game they held. It was so nice to see everyone coming together to do something about this disease. I hope that this month only gets more and more popular each year. Holly M.
Is true Norfy, it is really good that the government designed October to be the national disability employment awareness month, but now it needs to be put out. Publicity is crucial to get the awareness going among the general population. People with disabilities can become great workers. We need to spread the word to help reduce people’s misconceptions about people with disabilities. People with disabilities have the right to be acknowledges positive contributors to society and break the stereotypes that are usually associated with them.
Mariana GG
Having a week to be aware of the employment of people with disabilites is not enough. This should be considered on a year round basis and celebrated at all times too.
Diana Bernal
I like the fact that we have a month that helps us focus on the strenghts and better aspects of people with disabilities. Every person is strong in one thing or another. It is the same with people that have disabilities or rare disorders. They may be better at some things that any other person does okay in. Pointing these aspects out is such a great tool for inspiration and motivation.
Arturo D
Congress did a great move by expanding The National Disability Employment Awareness from one week to the whole month of October. I love the theme they went under this year. People with disabilities do have a lot to bring to this country. For example, my uncle suffered a brain injury in which the doctors did not make any assumption of him surviving and if he did, they predict that he would be in very bad shape. To everyones surprise he made it out of the hospital, and with in a year he was walking and starting to expand his vocabulary. He still has problems with his speech and sometimes acting his age but he is giving back to society more than what society expected him to ever do.
Laura S.
I think its great that congress has expanded the National Disability Employment Awareness to a month instead of a week. The new name is also more appropriate. Its good that there is a month that recongizes people with disabilities, but it shouldnt just be a month.People with disibilities should be apprecitated for their qualities and treated equal.
Andrea V.
I think that having a whole month to celebrate national disability awarness is a great idea. having a month to discover and create ideas to help people with disabilities could bring lots of positive energy to everyone in society. It helps spread confidence to people with disabilities and shows them that they are not alone and are just like any other hard working individual. Having a job to many is stressful but to people with disabilities its an honor. This month is going to be great! Happy national Disability Employment Awareness Month!
Joelia N.
Well first of all I never knew there was a "National Disability Employment Awareness Month" and I'm glad to know there is one! There needs to be more recognization for people with disabilities. There are some many PWD that contribute to the community just as much as other people do and often they are not mentioned because they have disabilities. People need to know that they are capable to do so much and need to be known for it.
Sabrina D.
I consider that having National Disability Employment Awareness Month is a great for all people. For one it educates those without disabilities the different types that there are. During this time the contributions of those with disabilities shine are usually acknowledged. We see schools, colleges, and universities usually holding some type of event that educates the public on disabilities. One thing that I did not notice during this month is advertising on television and radio informing the public of this special month the way other important months are. I agree with and feel that Neil Romano is correct in saying that, "People with disabilities are the next great wave of diversity, and diversity fosters innovation to drive our economy and our nation into the future." I do feel that has been much done to improve disability awareness, but more needs to be done. I also believe like all others “minority groups” of the past each will get what is long deserved.
James D.
National Disability Employment Awareness Month is a great proclamation each city of the United States should acknowledge. I also think every city across the nation should have a Disability Mentoring Day for our youth transitioning from High School. The DMD coordinators individually match students and job seekers with disabilities to those professionals serving in careers that interest them. We can even host a career day where the DMD coordinators invite local employers and professionals to share information about their career areas with students and job seekers with disabilities at schools, universities or local centers for independent living. I also think organizing a fieldtrip where the DMD coordinators organize visits to local employer’s job sites where DMD participants tour the businesses, learn about the workplaces and connect with workplace employees. The one I really like is on site job shadowing where DMD coordinators individually matching students and job seekers with disabilities to those professionals serving in careers that interest them. All This would great ideas to bring awareness National disability employment awareness month.
Emede R
I really like the theme that was used this year by the National Disability Employment Awareness Month. It shows that America is made of people with talent and strength. I’m also glad that Congress changed the awareness week to the entire month of October due to the fact that we need to have more publicity to acknowledge individuals with disabilities. A professor in one of my classes told us a story of how she was being helped by a person at a restaurant with a cognitive disability and how well the manager had responded to a mistake the young man had made. Not too many people would handle a mistake so well. I personally agree with T. Estrada that persons with disabilities make great employees and that they try their best and are hard working. I went into a coffee shop and the young lady that handed me my drink was extremely nice and had an enormous smile on her face. She too had a cognitive disability.
Nancy C.
9 of 12
“America’s People…America’s Talent…America’s Strength!” There is no better way to express the fact that people with disabilities are just what the theme for 2008 says. They are very interesting, smart, and imaginative people. They have new fresh ideas that people without disabilities have not thought of because they sometimes are close – minded and don’t allow anything different to take over. It is also a good theme because maybe more companies will see that people with disabilities are going to be well accomplished people as well if given a chance. They can do so much when they are given the opportunity it just depends on the people who are in charge of the companies to open their minds to new perspectives and ideas. I am glad to see that they changed it from one week to a whole month because not even one month of appreciation is enough for the largest minority group let alone a week.
-anisa c
As a person who has a sister with a disability, I never new that October was the National Disability Awareness Month. Not until I was in the rehabilitation program as an undergrad student, that I became aware because I was taught about this important month. It is a good thing to have a month of awareness for persons with disability but it is sad to know that even like this people with disabilities still have high unemployment rates. Just the other day I was asking my supervisor at work a question about persons with disabilities. He was completely shock at what I told him. I had asked him if there was anything that he was able to change to help a person with a disability what would it be. He simply replied that he would like see a place that would help people with disables look for employment. I told them there was and he was completely speechless. I too was shocked to hear that he did not know that there vocational rehabilitation counselors out there. I just hope that this month can be announced more like cancer awareness.
Crystal S.
11 of 12
This is just plain awsome because it facilitates people with disabilities to become employed. It really feels great that people are actually working in order to help out people with disabilities! They should also have the ablity to work and i think this is just extraordinary!
-Brandon R.
I had not heard of this national disability awareness month before,but I do think it is a very good way to remind society that people with disabilities are capable of working and making great accomplishments. Just like Angie K. I do believe the theme was a very good one that emphasized the great talent people with disability have.
Karen L.
I too agree with Angie K. & Norfy G. and feel more emphasis should be placed during this time.
I never knew that there was so much being done to help educate people to working with and employing people with disabilities. By extending to a month there are more opportunities to plan activities and conferences to promote the much needed awareness.
The ideas that Emede share are great and exciting. Are there any local organizations that provide specialized training for youth with disabilities in our high schools?
Just today I was speaking to a friend who has autism and is considered high functioning. This young man wants to be a policeman. While my friend is concerned about his son's choice, he knows that there must be some place within police work that his son could function well and provide a satisfying service. I hope through awareness and education employers will learn to appreciate the hope and dreams of youth such as this young man.
Sylvia S.
I was aware that October is National Disability Employment Awarness Month because of the R.E.H.A.B club. There were activities that students here at Pan AM could join in on. It is very crucial that we became aware of people who have disabilities and work towards improving our Vocational Rehab Programs. In our current century we should excel in our workforce by expanding a greater amount of opportunities for people with disabilities to enter jobs that are attainable.
Stephanie P
Just like Stephanie P. Im in the R.E.H.A.B. Club so i knew about National Disability Employment Awareness Month. I think its great that we have a month that is dedicated to people with disabilities. They deserve to be recognized for all they do and contribute to the country. I really liked the theme because it tells us in 6 simple words how talented and strong these individuals are
Crystal M.
I think its great to recognize all pwd and to see that they too have helped in making the economy stronger and helped in the workplace. I think this is also great because we are giving people with disabilities recognition and giving them the equal rld be rights they deserve.
Alejandrina T.
Post a Comment