National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM)

The Governor’s Council on Disability celebrates October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) with this virtual display, providing information and resources to raise awareness about the importance of workplace inclusion of people with disabilities.

Please join us by recognizing the importance of the contributions of people with disabilities to the workforce, and learning about disability history and awareness.

2025 NDEAM Theme: Celebrating Value and Talent

This year—2025—marks the 80th anniversary of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM).

As part of the celebration of America’s 250th anniversary in 2026, this year’s NDEAM observance will recognize the value and talent American workers with disabilities add to our workplaces and economy and highlight their achievements both past and present. That’s the spirit behind this year’s official theme: “Celebrating Value and Talent.”

Background & History of NDEAM

National Disability Employment Awareness Month celebrates the ingenuity people with disabilities bring to America's workplaces. Observed each October, NDEAM celebrates the contributions of America’s workers with disabilities past and present and showcases supportive, inclusive policies and practices that benefit employees and employers alike.

• U.S. Department of Labor announces 2025 NDEAM theme - News release
• Disability History: An Important Part of America’s History
• Disability & Employment: A Timeline Commemorating 30 years of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Missouri celebrates NDEAM

 

• Join us for the National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) celebration on October 21
• Accessibility Guide: A toolkit for accessible communications in the workplace (public use)
• Accessibility Guide: A toolkit for accessible communications in the workplace (state government use)
• Governor’s proclamation designating the month of October 2024 as Disability Employment Awareness Month in Missouri
• Governor’s proclamation designating the month of October 2024 as Disability History Month in Missouri
• Missouri as a Model Employer initiative
• Educational presentations about disability awareness and employment of people with disabilities. For more information or to schedule a presentation, please contact gcd@oa.mo.gov
• Disability History and Awareness – A Resource Guide for Missouri
• GCD Poster Contest celebrating NDEAM - Disability Employment Awareness Month Poster Contest
• Providing mentoring opportunities for people with disabilities through GCD Youth Transition programs
• Disability Awareness and People First Language tips
• Social Media posts to raise awareness about NDEAM and promote inclusion of people with disabilities in the workforce. Follow GCD on Facebook at Facebook.com/MissouriGCD/ and Twitter at Twitter.com/MOGCD
• GCD Newsletter, October 2024, highlighting NDEAM

Ideas to celebrate NDEAM

• Ideas for Employers and Employees

Employment Resources for Missourians with disabilities:

• Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development
  
  • Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant
• Missouri Job Centers
• Missouri Department of Mental Health – Employment Services
• Missouri Department of Social Services – Rehab Services for the Blind
• Missouri Registered Apprenticeships
• Missouri Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)
  
  • VR100 Celebrating 100 years of Vocational Rehabilitation 1920 – 2020
• Missouri SkillUp Program

Other Resources:

• Governor’s Council on Disability
• EARN: Employers Assistance and Resource Network
• JAN: Job Accommodation Network
• Job Accommodation Network – Workplace Accommodation Toolkit
• Employer Success Stories
• Missouri Assistive Technology
• Great Plains ADA Center

Public Service Announcement Campaigns:

Please visit Whatcanyoudocampaign.org for downloadable versions of the Campaign for Disability Employment’s television PSAs:

• Mental Health at Work: What Can I Do?
• I Can
• Because
• Who I Am
• Working Works