NDEAM

In 1945, the United States Congress declared October as "National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week", which introduced the concept of National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Through presidential speeches, the initiative aims to convince businesses to employ disabled Americans. In Harry Truman’s 1948 National Employ The Physically Handicapped Week speech, he states, “whereas acceptance of the handicapped by employers will be the means of bringing opportunity for economic independence and full participation in our democratic life to citizens who, despite physical impairments, are willing and able to perform a wide variety of essential tasks.” Congress removed "physically" in 1962 so that all disabled people were included, and not just people with physical impairments. Almost two decades later, in 1988, Congress extended “National Employ the Handicapped Week” to encompass the entire month of October, and thus “National Disability Employment Awareness Month” was born. Since 2001, the Office of Disability Employment Policy has overseen “National Disability Employment Awareness Month” and has been expanding it over time.

In terms of workplace inclusivity, America has come a long way. In the 1800s and early 1900s, employing someone with a disability was considered taboo-- not to mention the treatment of disabled people back then was incredibly horrendous. In recent years, people with disabilities have been treated with greater respect as time progresses. As a society, America continues to make progress toward being more inclusive, though there are some setbacks along the way.