United States Department of Labor

Campaign for Disability Employment (CDE)

At work, it's what people CAN do that matters. That's the simple message behind the Campaign for Disability Employment (CDE), an ODEP-funded outreach effort to promote the hiring, retention and advancement of people with disabilities.

The CDE is a collaborative of several leading disability and business organizations convened by ODEP to work together to address disability employment. The outcome of this collaboration is a national outreach initiative titled "What CAN YOU do?" Framed around messages developed collectively by the CDE's founding members, this initiative challenges common misconceptions about disability employment and encourages employers and others to recognize the value and talent that people with disabilities add to America's workplaces and economy.

Key parts of the What CAN YOU do? initiative are the "Because" and "I CAN" public service announcements (PSAs), which highlight what people with disabilities CAN do when given the opportunity. Featuring real people — not actors, the PSAs seek to change myths and misperceptions about career prospects for people with disabilities. The CDE has developed outreach materials to complement the PSAs, including posters, workplace and youth discussion guides. Spanish-language versions of selected materials are available.

Because — New for 2013

The "Because" Campaign, which includes the new PSA and posters was rolled out in January 2013. "Because" reflects ODEP's priorities to increase expectations by youth with disabilities, their parents, teachers, coaches, and mentors, as well as future employers about what persons with disabilities can achieve in their careers.

• View the "Because" PSA

I Can — The award-winning 2010 campaign

Aired more than 78,500 times on television, cable and radio stations nationwide and in AMC theaters, earning an estimated $31 million in donated media time since its release.

The initial "I Can" PSA, released in 2010 demonstrated what people with disabilities can do at work and urged employers to capitalize on these talents through inclusive employment practices that benefit everyone. The new "Because" PSA released in January 2013, challenges viewers to rethink how they perceive career prospects for youth with disabilities and to consider what they can do to help young people with disabilities set their sights high and develop their skills and talents into successful careers.

• View the "I Can" PSA

Founding Campaign for Disability Employment Members

Founding members in the CDE include:

• American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD)
• Job Accommodation Network (JAN)
• National Business and Disability Council (NBDC)
• National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC)
• Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)
• Special Olympics (SO)
• U.S. Business Leadership Network (USBLN)

Campaign for Disability Employment Partners

The CDE also works with partners to further extend the reach of the "What CAN YOU do" message. Partners include:

• Montana Department of Labor & Industry, Workforce Services Division
• Ohio Governor's Council on People with Disabilities
• University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMMS)
• Vermont Governor's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities