October is the 75th National Disability Employment Awareness Month. In 1945, Congress declared that the first week in October would be celebrated as "National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week." In 1962, according to the Social Security Administration, the word "physically" was removed from the title. In 1988, Congress declared the entire month of October would be used to celebrate the newly-renamed National Disability Employment Awareness Month, or NDEAM.
One of the most important steps any business can take to create a culture of acceptance and accessibility in the workplace is to celebrate the differences that make employees unique. Celebrating individuals and their unique abilities can help create a diverse workforce that provides opportunities for all employees.
Having a willingness to celebrate individuals is an incredibly positive position; however, creating actionable steps can seem challenging. Despite this, many major companies and corporations in the United States have taken steps to ensure that individuals within the company are celebrated for their abilities, not judged for their disabilities. According to Disability:IN, here are some things that a few major corporations are doing to celebrate NDEAM.
These are just a few of the major companies in the Unites States that are working to bridge the employment gap that exists between individuals with disabilities, and those without. However, for many businesses across the country, the budget does not exist to create massive campaigns nor host sensory events like Dine in the Dark. What then, can be done, in a reasonable amount of time, for a reasonable budget?
The following actionable tips have been assembled by the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) at the Social Security Administration:
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in 2019, only 19.3% of individuals with disabilities were employed, compared to 66.3% employment for individuals without disabilities. Although there are many factors to which this gap can be attributed, accessibility (or lack thereof) at workplaces is a significant one.
Another major factor is pay. According to the Census Bureau individuals with disabilities earn approximately 66 cents for every dollar made by an individual without a disability. When companies create positions that closely align with the skills and abilities of an individual, that individual will be able to be a valued, and valuable, employee. This individual will help make a company profitable and deserves to be equally compensated with all other employees. When individuals are fairly compensated for their work, and the company profits, an example will be set for other companies that shows how important it is to hire individuals with a wide range of skills, abilities, and interests. In turn, more companies will create more employee-centered positions, and the wage gap between individuals with disabilities and those without will begin to decrease.
As the United States celebrates National Disability Employment Awareness Month 2020, it is important for employers everywhere to examine the culture of their business and examine old practices and policies. NDEAM 2020 is an opportunity for a business to reinvent itself and become more cognizant of the ways in which become more accessible, diverse, and inclusive. A business taking such steps will generate new revenue streams as its reputation grows. During NDEAM 2020, it is important to reflect on the values of accessibility, diversity, and inclusivity which are central to the celebration, and promotion, of individuals with disabilities.