National Disability Employment Awareness Month

Congress designates each October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) in an effort to educate the American public about issues related to disability and employment. The month of October provides a perfect opportunity for Federal personnel to recognize the AbilityOne Program, its employees and its nonprofit agency staff for the outstanding support they provide to Federal agencies.

The AbilityOne Program is one of the largest sources of employment in the United States for people who are blind or have significant disabilities, providing employment opportunities to approximately 45,000 people. Approximately 550 nonprofit agencies across the country train and employ these individuals with disabilities. But hundreds of thousands of Americans who are blind or have significant disabilities are still waiting for a chance to work. That’s why it is so crucial to build awareness of the AbilityOne Program—during National Disability Employment Awareness Month and throughout the year.