News Release

September 30, 2025

Nebraska Observes National Disability Employment Awareness Month

The Nebraska Department of Education and Nebraska VR are participating in National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), an annual awareness campaign that takes place each October. The purpose of NDEAM is to educate about disability employment issues and celebrate the many and varied contributions of America’s workers with disabilities. This year’s theme is “Celebrating Value and Talent.”

This yearly event began in 1945 as a weeklong national observance of the contributions of people with physical disabilities. In 1988, Congress designated the commemoration as NDEAM, which then evolved to acknowledge the importance of increasing opportunities for people with disabilities, including those with mental health conditions and other nonobvious disabilities, in the workforce.

“Celebrating America means celebrating the value and talent that all Americans – including people with disabilities – add to our nation’s workplaces and communities,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer. “As we approach the 80th anniversary of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, the Department of Labor remains committed to ensuring all people have the opportunity to find meaningful work.”

Reflecting this year’s theme, throughout the month of October, Nebraska VR will be sharing a variety of resources on social media and recognizing our partners in disability employment who are committed to creating an inclusive work culture. These efforts also include the Nebraska State Rehabilitation Council’s Disability Employment and Inclusion Award ceremony on October 7, 2025, at 1:00 PM Central Time.  To register, go to https://conta.cc/41KK9Lv.

“Nebraska VR is proud to be a part of the 80^th anniversary celebration of National Disability Employment Awareness Month,” said Nebraska VR Director Lindy Foley. “We want to spread the important message to build and celebrate the value and talent in a workforce inclusive of skills and abilities of all individuals including individuals with disabilities.”

Employers and employees in all industries can learn more about how to participate in National Disability Employment Awareness Month and ways they can promote its message, during October and throughout the year, by visiting www.dol.gov/agencies/odep/initiatives/ndeamgov/NDEAM.

To learn more about Nebraska VR, go to https://vr.nebraska.gov.

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