National Disability Employment AwarenessMonth (NDEAM)

October 2009 is National Disability Employment AwarenessMonth.

In an effort to educate the American public about issues related to disability and employment, Congress designated October as National Disability Employment AwarenessMonth (NDEAM).

What is NDEAM all about. It's about educating and informing the world that people who are blind or have other severe disabilities are capable of participating in today's competitive economy.

DID YOUR KNOW:

• Employment is the key to economic security and personal independence of all Americans, especially those with disabilities.

• According to a national survey, 92 percent of consumers feel more favorably toward companies that hire individuals with disabilities.

• To stay competitive, both public and private employers must seek quality employees from non-traditional employee pools, including the 54million Americans who have disabilities.

• People who are blind or have other severe disabilities remain one of America’s greatest untapped labor resources, with more than 60 percent of this population not employed.

Learn more about AbilityOne online at www.abilityone.org or contact communications@nib.org.