Employment

As the leaves put on a daring display, we are reminded of the innovative spirit built into every cell of nature including ourselves. Innovation is at the forefront of October’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), which celebrates the contributions of America’s workers with disabilities past and present and showcases supportive, inclusive employment policies and practices.

Since 1945, Congress has sought to educate the public about the role of people with disabilities in the labor force. Originally known as “National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week,” Congress broadened its celebration and instituted “National Disability Employment Awareness Month” (NDEAM) as an annual October celebration in 1988.

In 2020, the onset of the COVID-19 virus accelerated a move to a remote and digitally dependent workforce. Many companies were able to accommodate employees working from home by providing a few technological changes and additional equipment to enable workers to maintain communication with their colleagues, supervisors, and clients. Some even found that productivity increased for employees working from home. The success of this remote workforce revealed a side benefit for people with disabilities.

Seventy-five years ago, in response to the large number of service members with disabilities returning home from World War II, Congress passed a law establishing the first week in October of each year as “National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week.” Over the years, this week-long national observance has undergone several changes in name, focus and duration: In 1962, the name was changed t

“Let the shameful walls of exclusion finally come tumbling down” is the directive that former President George Bush gave us when he signed the ADA into law 30 years ago, on July 26, 1990.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) uses medical examiners (MEs) to conduct examinations and certify that the 6.1 million active interstate and intrastate commercial motor vehicle drivers meet the physical requirements for safety. The National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners (National Registry) allows qualified medical providers to become certified to serve as MEs in support of these efforts. Currently, FMCSA has certified over 69,000 MEs.

Through a subcontract with Aveshka, Inc., New Editions provides Section 508 support services to the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR). We have been contracted to provide Section 508 consulting expertise to assist ASPR in such tasks as:

National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), which lasts the month of October, will celebrate the contributions of workers with disabilities and inform employers about the value of including employees with disabilities.