October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) External Link, and all AgLearn Users are encouraged to participate. The purpose of NDEAM is to educate AgLearn users and US residents about disability employment issues and celebrate the many and varied contributions of America's workers with disabilities.
This year’s national 2023 NDEAM theme, “Advancing Access and Equity”, promotes the importance of advancing disability employment and honors the 50th anniversary of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
Background
Held annually, NDEAM is led by the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy, but its true spirit lies in the many observances held at the grassroots level across the nation every year. Employers of all sizes and in all industries are encouraged to participate in NDEAM.
The effort to educate the public about the issues related to disability and employment began in 1945, when Congress enacted Public Law 176, declaring the first week of 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. Some 25 years later, Congress expanded the week to a month and changed the name to National Disability Employment Awareness Month.
More information about National Disability Employment Awareness Month External Link.
Events
USDA National Disability Employment Awareness Month Accessibility Conference
This year, the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (OASCR) and the Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs/Foreign Agricultural Affairs (TFAA/FAS) will host a virtual two-day Conference.The observance will align with this year’s theme, "Advancing Access and Equity".
The program will have opening executive remarks from Secretary Vilsack followed by greetings from Dr. Penny Brown Reynolds. Following the executive greetings, there will be various speakers and panelists throughout the day discussing topics such as the culture of accessibility, reasonable accommodations, disability etiquette, the Wounded Warrior Project, and many more surrounding disability awareness and resources. These initiatives aim to educate the public, employers, employees about the benefits of a diverse workforce and the importance of accommodating individuals with disabilities to create a more productive and equitable work environment.
The program will conclude with closing remarks from Dr. Penny Brown-Reynolds, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, OASCR.
Virtual Event Dates: October 11-12, 2023
Time: 9:00am - 4:00pm EST (both days)
Elevating Equity in Section 508 - USDA Section 508 Awareness Event
The USDA’s Section 508 Office in the Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) will host a free one-day 2023 Section 508 Awareness Event. The event will be available via Zoom for Government to promote Advancing Access and Equity in conjunction with National Disability Employment Awareness Month. The event is a great opportunity for federal employees and contractors within the U.S. Government, accessibility professionals, people with disabilities, and IT Leadership to come together and gain insight on how accessibility enhances everything we do in Elevating Equity in Section 508.
Virtual Event: October 19, 2023
Time: 10:00am - 4:00pm EST
AgLearn Resources
- eBook: Disability and Employer Practices: Research across the Disciplines External Link
- eBook: Disability Awareness: Working with People with Disabilities Study Guide External Link
- eBook: Employment Law: A Practical Introduction External Link
- Course: Introduction to disability and accessibility External Link
- Learning Channel: Web Accessibility External Link
- Course: Supporting Workers with Disabilities External Link
- Course: Hiring and Supporting Neurodiversity in the Workplace External Link
- Course: Understanding and Supporting ADHD Colleagues in the Workplace External Link
- Course: Diversity Across Generations: Supporting Workplace Inclusion External Link
For even more learning resources on disability, accessibility, and employment policy, browse AgLearn and find partner content from LinkedIn Learning and Skillsoft-Percipio.