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October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), which recognizes the valuable contributions of workers with disabilities. In 1945, the U.S. launched an annual weekly celebration to observe the contributions of people with physical disabilities. Congress established NDEAM in 1988 to include all types of disabilities, including mental health conditions. The theme for 2026 is “Celebrating Value and Talent”, honoring the value that workers with disabilities provide to businesses every day.1

The focus of NDEAM is to raise awareness and stimulate employer commitments towards creating an accessible workplace culture. Organizations are encouraged to review their existing policies and provide supervisor training and disability education programming that fosters an inclusive work environment. The “What Can You Do Campaign” offers materials for promoting opportunities for workers with disabilities.2

While NDEAM celebrates the contributions of workers with disabilities, it also brings attention to the fact that many barriers still exist. According to The Arc, currently only 38.3% of working-age people with disabilities are employed, compared to 75% of people without disabilities. People with intellectual and developmental disabilities generally have even fewer opportunities.3

Hiring people with disabilities fosters settings that are more productive, profitable and creative. The Arc publishes a “Starter Guide” with tips to help employers create an inclusive workplace.4  The Autism Society’s Employment Initiative leverages each person’s strengths and abilities along with appropriate accommodations, supports, services, and an inclusive mindset.5  The National Down Syndrome Society promotes entrepreneurship by highlighting individuals with Down Syndrome who have created their own small businesses.6

The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) provides free confidential information to individuals and employers about workplace accommodations and employment-related provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The JAN site includes a large selection of resources as well as a database that is searchable by disability, occupation, and type of accommodation, such as accessible worksite egress, assistive technology, and workstation supports.7 The JAN site also contains a toolkit to assist employers in providing training for human resources personnel and managers regarding how to respond to accommodation requests under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) consistently and without bias.8

The Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability (EARN) aids employers looking to implement workplace disability policies and offers information on recruiting and retaining people with disabilities.9

Disability Mentoring Day (DMD) promotes mentoring, career development, and networking for students and job seekers with disabilities. It takes place on the third Wednesday of October, observed this year on October 21, 2026. The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) assists those who wish to establish a Disability Mentoring Day in their own communities by connecting organizers to a network of DMD coordinators.10

NDEAM is an opportunity not only to recognize the contributions of workers with disabilities, but also to consider the steps organizations can take to create workplaces where talent, skills, and potential are accessible to everyone. By increasing awareness, addressing barriers, providing appropriate accommodations, and creating opportunities for mentorship and career development, employers can help build more inclusive workplaces throughout the transportation and infrastructure industries and beyond.

1. https://beta.dol.gov/programs-initiatives/ndeam/ndeam-key-messages
2. https://whatcanyoudocampaign.gov/ 
3. https://thearc.org/blog/how-and-why-to-celebrate-national-disability-em…;
4. https://thearc.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/The-Arc-Disability-Hiring…
5. https://autismsociety.org/employment/
6. https://ndss.org/self-advocate-small-businesses
7. https://askjan.org/
8. https://askjan.org/toolkit/Training-and-Development.cfm
9. https://askearn.org/page/about-earn
10. https://www.aapd.com/disability-mentoring-day/

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