News Release

September 28, 2023

Nebraska VR Joins National Observance of Disability Employment Awareness Month

Nebraska VR announced it is joining the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy in recognizing National Disability Employment Awareness Month, an annual awareness campaign that takes place each October. The purpose of National Disability Employment Awareness Month 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 “Advancing Access and Equity.”

The history of NDEAM traces back to 1945, when it started as a week and focused only on people with physical disabilities. Later, it expanded to a full month, and its name and scope evolved to acknowledge the importance of increasing the workforce inclusion of people with all nature of disabilities.

“Our communities and the economy are strengthened by the inclusion of all people, including people with disabilities,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Disability Employment Policy Taryn M. Williams. “Their contributions have historically been vital to our nation’s success and are more important today than ever. We must build an accessible, equitable economy that fully includes the talent and drive of those with disabilities.”

Reflecting this year’s theme, throughout the month, Nebraska VR will be sharing resources on social media and recognizing partners in disability employment who are committed to creating an inclusive work culture and creating opportunity for all Nebraskans. These efforts also include the Nebraska State Rehabilitation Council’s Disability Employment and Inclusion Award ceremony on October 3, 2023.  To register, go to https://conta.cc/48tQ49k.

In addition, Nebraska VR’s Career Pathways Advancement Project (CPAP 2.0) staff are hosting five in-person Windmills Trainings for Nebraska business leaders and human resource professionals who are interested in creating inclusive workplaces. The high impact training sessions are provided at no cost and are planned in the Kearney, Scottsbluff, Lincoln, LaVista, and Norfolk communities. To register, go to http://www.vr.nebraska.gov/pathways/.

“Nebraska VR is proud to be a part of this year’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month,” said Nebraska VR Director Lindy Foley. “This year is the 50^thAnniversary of the Rehabilitation Act which underscores the importance of our work to advance access and equity to build a workforce inclusive of the skills and talents 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 https://www.dol.gov/agencies/odep/initiatives/ndeam.

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

---