National Disability Employment Awareness Month

Woman with Down syndrome talking to clients at her home office.

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, which aims to highlight the employment needs of people who have disabilities – and recognize their amazing contributions to our workplaces and the American economy.

In 2022, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 21 percent of Americans with disabilities were employed, up from 19 percent in 2021. However, people with disabilities still face many obstacles in regards to employment and accessibility in the workplace.

So, it’s fitting that the theme of National Disability Employment Awareness Month this year is “Advancing Access and Equity: Then, Now and Next”, which commemorates the passage of the Rehabilitation Act. Passed in 1973, the Rehabilitation Act prohibited recipients of federal funds from discriminating against people with disabilities.  

Efforts to build awareness around the employment issues faced by people with disabilities started much earlier. Congress in 1945 enacted Public Law 176, which called for recognizing the workplace contributions of people with disabilities and the challenges they face employment-wise. It was changed to the current month-long status in 1988.

And two years later in 1990, President George H.W. Bush signed into law the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which prohibits discrimination based on disability. The landmark law also requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities.

We want to recognize TwinStar members and employees who have disabilities. We are thankful for the impact you have in our workplaces and communities.