ODEP - Office of Disability Employment Policy
Disability Employment Policy Resources by Topic
National Disability Employment Awareness Month 2012
Resource Toolbox
The following resources can assist organizations in planning and implementing National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) activities.
- Download and Order the NDEAM Poster
- NDEAM Drop-In Articles
- Sample NDEAM Proclamation
- Sample NDEAM Participation Press Release
- Sample NDEAM Social Media Content
NDEAM Poster
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NDEAM Drop-In Articles
Article for Association Publications
<ORGANIZATION NAME> Members Encouraged to Participate in
National Disability Employment Awareness Month
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, and all members of <ORGANIZATION NAME> are encouraged to participate. The purpose of National Disability Employment Awareness Month is to educate about disability employment issues and celebrate the many and varied contributions of America's workers with disabilities.
Held annually, National Disability Employment Awareness Month 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.
For specific ideas about how <ORGANIZATION NAME> members can support National Disability Employment Awareness Month, visit the ODEP website at www.dol.gov/odep/. Suggestions range from simple, such as putting up a poster, to comprehensive, such as implementing a disability education program. Regardless, all play an important part in fostering a more inclusive workforce, one where every person is recognized for his or her abilities — every day of every month.
Article for Union Publications
<UNION NAME> Locals and District Councils Encouraged to Participate in
National Disability Employment Awareness Month
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, and <UNION NAME> locals and members are encouraged to participate. The purpose of National Disability Employment Awareness Month is to educate about disability employment issues and celebrate the many and varied contributions of America's workers with disabilities.
Held annually, National Disability Employment Awareness Month 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. Organizations of all sizes and in all industries are encouraged to participate in NDEAM.
For specific ideas about how <ORGANIZATION NAME> members can support National Disability Employment Awareness Month, visit the ODEP website at www.dol.gov/odep/. Suggestions range from simple, such as putting up a poster, to comprehensive, such as implementing a disability education program. Regardless, all play an important part in fostering a more inclusive workforce, one where every person is recognized for his or her abilities — every day of every month.
Sample NDEAM Proclamation
[Consider customizing this proclamation language and requesting that your mayor, governor or organization leader proclaim NDEAM. Then, promote that leader's official proclamation among your community and/or through the local media, and post the signed proclamation at your organization's office or other facilities.]
National Disability Employment Awareness Month: A Proclamation
Workplaces welcoming of the talents of all people, including people with disabilities, are a critical part of our efforts to build an inclusive community and strong economy. In this spirit, the <CITY OF/STATE OF (NAME)> is recognizing National Disability Employment Awareness Month this October to raise awareness about disability employment issues and celebrate the many and varied contributions of people with disabilities. Activities during this month will reinforce the value and talent people with disabilities add to our workplaces and communities and affirm <CITY'S/STATE'S> commitment to an inclusive community.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, _______________________ do hereby proclaim October 2012 as National Disability Employment Awareness Month. In so doing, I call upon employers, schools and other community organizations in <CITY/STATE> to observe this month with appropriate programs and activities, and to advance its important message that "A Strong Workforce is an Inclusive Workforce," throughout the year.
Sample NDEAM Participation Press Release
[Cut and paste this press release onto your organization's letterhead and customize it as necessary. Send to your local media just before or at the start of NDEAM]
MEDIA CONTACT:
<NAME OF COMMUNICATIONS CONTACT AT ORGANIZATION>
<E-MAIL ADDRESS>
<PHONE NUMBER>
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
<NAME OF ORGANIZATION> Joins Broad Effort to Observe National Disability Employment Awareness Month
Nationwide campaign will take place in October
(City, State) — Date — <NAME OF ORGANIZATION> today announced its participation in National Disability Employment Awareness Month, an annual awareness campaign that takes place each October. The purpose of National Disability Employment Awareness Month is to educate about disability employment issues and celebrate the many and varied contributions of America's workers with disabilities.
The history of National Disability Employment Awareness Month traces back to 1945, when Congress enacted a law declaring the first week in October each year "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 and changed the name to National Disability Employment Awareness Month.
"Employers who ensure that inclusive workplace policies and practices are woven into the fabric and culture of the organization create an environment that encourages all workers — including those of us with disabilities — to work to their full capacity and contribute fully to the organization's success," said Kathy Martinez, assistant secretary of labor for disability employment policy when announcing this year's National Disability Employment Awareness Month theme, which is "A Strong Workforce is an Inclusive Workforce: What Can YOU Do?" The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) leads National Disability Employment Awareness Month.
Reflecting this year's theme, throughout the month, <NAME OF ORGANIZATION> will be engaging in a variety of activities to educate its <EMPLOYEES/MEMBERS> on disability employment issues and the role they play in fostering a disability-friendly work culture. These efforts include <EXAMPLES OF PLANNED ACTIVITIES>.
"<NAME OF ORGANIZATION > is proud to be a part of this year's National Disability Employment Awareness Month," said <NAME OF SPOKESPERSON>. "We want to spread the important message that a strong workforce is one inclusive of the skills and talents of all individuals, including individuals with disabilities."
Employers and employees in all industries can learn more about how to participate in National Disability Employment Awareness Month and ways they can promote its messages — during October and
throughout the year — by visiting the ODEP website at www.dol.gov/odep/.
Sample NDEAM Social Media Content
Facebook & LinkedIn Posts
"A Strong Workforce is an Inclusive Workforce: What Can YOU Do?"
<NAME OF ORGANIZATION> is proud to support National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). Held each October, NDEAM aims to educate about disability employment issues and celebrate the many and varied contributions of America's workers with disabilities. Throughout the month, we'll be engaging in a variety of activities to educate our <EMPLOYEES/MEMBERS> on disability employment issues and the role they play in fostering a disability-friendly work culture. Learn more at www.dol.gov/odep/.
"A Strong Workforce is an Inclusive Workforce: What Can YOU Do?"
How are you planning to observe National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM)? Held each October, NDEAM aims to educate about disability employment issues and celebrate the many and varied contributions of America's workers with disabilities. 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. Learn how you can support NDEAM by visiting the ODEP website: www.dol.gov/odep/.
Tweets
National Disability Employment Awareness Month is around the corner. Celebrate it this October and all year round: www.dol.gov/odep/. #NDEAM
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month! Learn more at (insert shortened link to toolkit). #NDEAM
Order your free National Disability Employment Awareness Month poster at (insert shortened link to poster page). #NDEAM
How are you observing National Disability Employment Awareness Month? (insert shortened link to toolkit). #NDEAM
