The Kansas Developmental Disabilities Council (KCDD) recognizes October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), an annual awareness campaign that educates the general public about disability employment issues and celebrates the many and varied contributions of America's workers with disabilities.
As an Employment First state, Kansas believes community employment should be the first option for all working age adults and transition-age youth with developmental disabilities. KCDD serves on the Kansas Employment First Oversight Commission to ensure that Kansas is moving disability employment forward.
“I have witnessed many times when a person with a disability becomes employed everyone benefits. I have seen increases in productivity, happier customers and coworkers," said Steve Gieber, Executive Director, Kansas Council on Developmental Disabilities. “It leads to stronger communities when everyone belongs.”
To support employment first, KCDD funds projects across the state that work to arm Kansans with I/DD, their families, employers, providers and employment support staff with meaningful information about their options for competitive integrated employment as well as support the availability of resources and expansion of best practices for formal and informal long-term supports for competitive integrated employment. These initiatives are a part of KCDD’s Five-Year Plan.
"Americans of all abilities must have access to good, safe jobs," said US Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta. "Smart employers know that including different perspectives in problem-solving situations leads to better solutions. Hiring employees with diverse abilities strengthens their business, increases competition and drives innovation."
The history of NDEAM traces back to 1945, when Congress enacted a law declaring the first week in October each year "National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week." In 1962, the word "physically" was removed to acknowledge the employment needs and contributions of individuals with all types of disabilities. In 1988, Congress expanded the week to a month and changed the name to National Disability Employment Awareness Month.
Follow us on our Facebook page throughout the month of October to learn more about the state of disability employment in Kansas, hear about resources and supports for Kansas with disabilities who are looking for work and vocational training, and see real life examples of people with disabilities working in the community.
We encourage you to share your employment success stories for National Disability Employment Awareness Month by posting them to your Facebook wall. Use the hashtag #NDEAM and feel free to tag us in your post!
To learn about the Kansas Employment First Oversight Commission 2018 Recommendations, visit kcdd.org/public-policy/employment-first-oversight-commission.
Employers and employees in all industries can learn more about how to participate in NDEAM and ways they can promote its messages — during October and throughout the year — by visiting www.dol.gov/ndeam.
