National Disability Employment Awareness Month

Did you know? Each year Oct. 1-31 is established by Public Law and Presidential Proclamation as National Disability Employment Awareness Month. AFDW joins the nation in this observance so that Americans may reaffirm their commitment to ensuring equal opportunity for all citizens and so that they may pay tribute to the accomplishments of men and women with disabilities who contributed, continue to contribute, and wish to contribute to making the nation's economy strong. This year's theme highlights the unlimited possibilities that occur when barriers are removed for individuals with differing abilities. According to the Center for Disease Control, the seven most common workplace barriers are: Attitudinal, Communication, Physical, Policy, Programmatic, Social, and Transportation. National Disability Employment Awareness Month dates back to the return of service members with disabilities from World War II, sparking public interest in the contributions of people with disabilities in the workplace. In 1945, President Harry S Truman approved a Congressional resolution declaring the first week in October “National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week.” In 1988, Congress expanded the week to a month and changed the name to “National Disability Employment Awareness Month.”