Celebrating National Disability Employment Awareness Month
The 2010 poster highlights the talents of artist and writer, Laura Hershey. Through the medium of computer generated art, Ms. Hershey created a figure of a hand of many colors and shapes that, through her verse, reaches out in friendship to dispel the fears and misconceptions often associated with disabilities.
Videos on the City’s website require Windows Media Player for viewing. If you have a disability and need an alternate format of a video presentation, email CityTV at CityTV@sandiego.gov.
The 2010 National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) theme emphasizes the rich diversity and talent that persons with disabilities bring to the workplace. According to Kathleen Martinez, Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy, "Our diversity of talent is the wellspring of innovation and creativity in the workforce."
The Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) has the lead in planning NDEAM activities and materials to increase the public's awareness of the contributions and skills of American workers with disabilities. This is an effort to educate the American public about issues related to disability and employment.
The City's Commitment to Workforce Diversity
The City of San Diego's Disability Services has partnered with Engineering and Capital Projects and the Mayor's Committee on Disability to raise awareness of the annual national event. "We must embrace equal access to employment. I want to make sure we don't just talk the talk but walk the talk. There is a national employment gap for persons with disabilities and it is everyone's job to care and make a difference," said Susan Madison, the City's Disability Services Coordinator.
The History
Congress designated each October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). This effort to educate the American public about issues related to disability and employment actually began in 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."
Calendar of Events
You can take part in the celebration too!
Source: Cohen, J. (1998). Disability Etiquette. New York: Eastern Paralyzed Veterans Association (EPVA) and Access Resources
For the entire month of October
Watch City TV 24 Message Boards
Learn Disability Etiquette 101
• City TV 24 Message Boards (PDF)
- October 7th - JOBTOBERFEST
Job Fair for People with Disabilities
Balboa Park Club
10am - 2pm
- October 12th - Come witness the Mayor and City Council President Ben Hueso
present a Resolution to the Mayor's Committee on Disability. Immediately following
the presentation, there will be a Sensitivity Awareness Exercise whereby select staff
will get to experience life in a wheelchair, as a person who is blind,
or as a person who is deaf.
- October 18th through 31st - Have you been to the City Administration Building (CAB) lately?
Make time during NDEAM to visit our historic CAB Lobby Display and learn about the history of the
American with Disabilities Act and much more!
Disabilities Services Training
- October 6th – Park and Recreation Disability Awareness to 200 + supervisors
- October 7th – Supervisor’s Academy – Administration Regulation City Policy for People with Disabilities: Employment
