Celebrating National Disability Employment Awareness Month

Throughout October, the Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy will recognize National Disability Employment Awareness Month with a focus on advancing access and equity. SourceAmerica will celebrate NDEAM to recognize America's most underutilized workforce – people with disabilities.

Nearly 59,000 people with disabilities are employed through the SourceAmerica network, with over 33,000 of them working through the AbilityOne® Program. Employment gives all people a sense of pride, accomplishment, and belonging – intangible assets that contribute to better physical, emotional, and mental health. Yet, 63% of working-age people with disabilities in the U.S. are not employed. At SourceAmerica, we envision a time when every American with a disability has a career path and employment choices.

Employment is about more than a job. It is inclusion in the workplace and in the economy. Economic inclusion - including the ability to earn a living, provide for one’s self and family, and contribute as a taxpayer - promotes greater social inclusion. The social aspect comes in many forms, including shared experiences of work, interpersonal relationships, and community engagement. We do not just increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities; we open the door to full inclusion.

Let’s engage during National Disability Employment Awareness Month! Check the SourceAmerica.org newsroom frequently during October for stories featuring network employees. Be sure to follow SourceAmerica on social media (@SourceAmerica on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter), and don’t forget to check out disability nonprofits in your area. Share the content and spread the word!

People with disabilities make enormous, positive contributions to America's workplaces, communities, and economy. Let's celebrate in October and keep the NDEAM spirit alive all year!