HISTORY OF NATIONAL DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS MONTH

Public Law 176, enacted by Congress in 1945, designated the first week in October as "National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week." In 1962, the word "physically" was removed from the week's name to recognize the employment needs of all Americans with disabilities. Congress, in 1988, expanded the week to a month and changed its name to "National Disability Employment Awareness Month." October has evolved as the kick-off month for year-round programs that highlight the abilities and skills of Americans with disabilities.

Below:

Sample Activities
Sample Proclamations

SAMPLE ACTIVITIES

Listed below are examples of activities designed to promote the employment of individuals with disabilities that were carried out in 2001.

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SAMPLE PROCLAMATIONS and IDEAS FOR PROCLAMATION

NATIONAL DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS MONTH 2002

1. We have reached the 21st century. As we move forward in the new century and look ahead, we must consider how we can build on the accomplishments of the 20th century and on our state's strengths . Key to (name of state/city) prosperity and growth during the 21st century will be ensuring that every citizen has the opportunity to contribute his or her skills and ingenuity to our economy. If we don't harness the abilities of all our citizens, American business and industry's leadership and competitiveness in the ever expanding global economy will evaporate.

Employment figures for persons with disabilities show that only 32% of people with disabilities of working age (18-64) work full or part-time. To stay competitive, both public and private employers must seek quality employees from non-traditional employee pools, including the 54 million Americans who have disabilities.

Over the last decade we have passed the Americans with Disabilities Act and other laws that have begun to break through many of the barriers which have kept Americans with disabilities out of the workforce. That is a beginning, but it is not enough. We must do better. Keeping individuals with disabilities on welfare, social security and other benefit programs, instead of in jobs, is not cost effective for (name of state) or our nation nor does it help (name of state/city) economy prosper.

Our (name of state/city) future prosperity hinges on our young people's successful transition into the workforce. We must ensure that talented young adults with disabilities discover their leadership potential, develop their skills through work experience, and profit from mentoring opportunities.

Employment is the key to economic security for Americans. And it is up to all of us -- employers, labor leaders, community leaders, people with disabilities, rehabilitation professionals and government -- to break down the attitudinal barriers and open our doors to let employees with disabilities in. We must all think ability and encourage others to do the same.

Employees with disabilities have demonstrated their abilities in executive, administrative and managerial fields. They have been successful in public and private businesses. People with disabilities have worked for companies and established their own businesses. People with disabilities have abilities that our (name of state/city) employers can bank on. Let's put them to work.

NOW, THEREFORE I, --------------------------------------------------------- do hereby proclaim October 2002 as (State) Disability Employment Awareness Month. I call upon government officials, educators, labor leaders, employers, and the people of the United States to observe this month with appropriate programs and activities that reaffirm our determination to create equal employment opportunities for people with disabilities in the 21st Century.

2 . NATIONAL DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS MONTH 2002 

We must make certain that every citizen of (State name) has the opportunity for full employment. To continue (Name of Sate)leadership and competitiveness in the ever expanding global economy, American business and industry will need the talents and skills of all Americans. Persons with disabilities can and must be an important part of the workforce of the 21st century. They have demonstrated their abilities to work in both the private and public employment sectors. Yet, people with disabilities are woefully under-represented in the workplace. We must expand opportunities for every American who is willing to take responsibility for making the most of his or her abilities. Our Nation’s prosperity in the new millennium hinges on the strength of our workforce.

Over the last decade we have passed the Americans with Disabilities Act and other laws that are breaking through many of the barriers which have kept Americans with disabilities out of the workforce. Attitudinal barriers, however, remain the greatest challenge to employment for persons with disabilities. Unfortunately, we cannot legislate attitudes. Working together we must wipe out negative attitudes and stereotypical images, so that millions of Americans with disabilities still waiting to prove themselves in the workplace can have that opportunity.

Employment is the key to economic security for Americans. And it is up to all of us -- employers, labor leaders, community leaders, people with disabilities, rehabilitation professionals and government -- to break down the attitudinal barriers and open our doors to let employees with disabilities in. We must all think ability and encourage others to do the same.

NOW, THEREFORE I, --------------------------------------------------------- do hereby proclaim October 2002 as (State) Disability Employment Awareness Month. I call upon government officials, educators, labor leaders, employers, and the people of the United States to observe this month with appropriate programs and activities that reaffirm our determination to create equal employment opportunities for people with disabilities in the 21st Century.

3. NATIONAL DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS MONTH 2002

Each year, during the month of October, Americans acknowledge the employment accomplishments and potential of America’s 54 million persons with disabilities. The United States enjoys one of the strongest economies in the world, supported by a workforce that is notable for its diversity. In order to maintain and strengthen the ability of American business to compete in the increasingly global economy, we must strive to ensure that all Americans, including those with disabilities, have the opportunity to reach their full potential.

With the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990, this nation promised that we will no longer underestimate the abilities of Americans with disabilities. Rather, we will work to liberate the energies and talents of Americans with disabilities to help us build a stronger, more productive nation. As attitudes change and new technologies become available, employers are providing a wide range of which facilitate employment of persons with disabilities.

While we have made much progress since the ADA signing, significant challenges still exist. People with disabilities still experience an unemployment rate of about 70 percent, the highest of any group in the nation. Yet polls conducted by the National Organization on Disability and others continue to show that persons with disabilities are eager for an opportunity to contribute their skills and abilities to the nation’s employers. Studies by Sears, Dupont and others have shown that employees with disabilities have a positive impact on the workplace.

NOW, THEREFORE, I,  do hereby proclaim October, 2002 as "(State) Disability Employment Awareness Month". I call upon government leaders, labor leaders and employers to share in the mission of ensuring the full participation of the nation’s persons with disabilities in the workforce.

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