Hello #PlumFamily,
As we embrace the change in the weather and a new palette of colors to view, we also recognize October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). This year is a commemorative year, marking the 75th observance of NDEAM and the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Congress declared the first week in October as the “National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week” and the first observance was in 1945. Almost two decades later, in 1962, the word “physically” was removed from its title in an effort to include persons with varying types of disabilities. In 1998, the week was extended to a full month and renamed National Disability Employment Awareness Month. The purpose of NDEAM is to inform others about the challenges employees with disabilities face and acknowledge their contributions to the world.
On July 26, 1990, President George H.W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act into law. The legislation, the most comprehensive disability rights legislation modeled on the Civil Rights Act of 1964, makes it illegal to discriminate on the basis of disability in our public places and in several aspects of employment.
October is also diversity and inclusion month. As we look at ways to celebrate, collaborate and honor the disabled population, we can look at doing the same for all groups from varying shapes, kinds, colors, and choices. Our differences comprise the cornucopia of American life, each deserving a place in this world, fairly and equally. There’s change in the air. Take a deep breath in.
To read more about NDEAM click here
To read more about the ADA, click here