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The YAI Network invites you to join us in commemorating National Disability Employment Awareness Month. The U.S. Department of Labor has designated the month of October as a time to recognize nationally the employment needs and rights of Americans with disabilities.

The origins of National Disability Employment Awareness Month go as far back as 1945.  In that year, an act of Congress designated the first week of October "National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week."  To administer this annual event, President Truman created the President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities.  Years later, this committee evolved into the Office of Disability Employment Policy, a permanent, standing office within the U.S. Department of Labor.  Eventually, the week of awareness was expanded to a month and “physically” was dropped from the name to include individuals with a variety of disabilities.

Historically, people with disabilities have faced obstacles in the workplace, including discrimination in hiring and inadequate physical accommodations.  Some employers have underestimated the abilities of people with disabilities to contribute positively to work environments. Even with many awareness-raising efforts, the unemployment rate of workers with disabilities remains significantly higher than those without.

The theme of this year’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month is "Talent Has No Boundaries: Workforce Diversity INCLUDES Workers With Disabilities."  This is meant to highlight the fact that many Americans with disabilities are capable of making meaningful contributions to the workforce while offering unique and valuable insights.

The impact of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, and the awareness it generates, affects many groups beyond those with disabilities.  According to the Department of Labor, “innovations applicable to the successful employment of workers with disabilities impact the entire workforce, including aging workers, injured workers, at-risk youth, women, people of color, and unemployed and underemployed workers."