As special educators, from transitional kindergarten to high school, your role is pivotal in shaping students’ work identities and aspirations.

<p>October is <strong>National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM)</strong>, an annual observance that raises awareness about the value and contributions of individuals with disabilities in the workforce, while reinforcing the importance of inclusive employment for all.</p>
<p>As special educators, from transitional kindergarten to high school, your role is pivotal in shaping students’ work identities and aspirations. NDEAM is a powerful opportunity to integrate best practices, fostering a culture where disability is not only acknowledged but truly embraced.</p>
<h2>Why NDEAM Matters in TK–12 Education</h2>
<ul style="margin-left:20px">
  <li>NDEAM began in <strong>1945</strong> as a weeklong observance and was expanded to a full month in <strong>1988</strong> to broaden its scope and impact.</li>
  <li>The month highlights not just the challenges but the unique talents and value that individuals with disabilities bring to workplaces and communities, an essential message in special education.</li>
  <li>As noted by <a href="https://thearc.org/blog/how-and-why-to-celebrate-national-disability-employment-awareness-month-october/?utm_source=chatgpt.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Arc</a>, inclusive hiring isn’t a checkbox, it’s “smart business and the right thing to do”. Check out that article for more data on why it’s smart business and how companies can employ inclusive hiring practices!</li>
</ul>
<h3>Classroom &amp; School-Wide Best Practices</h3>
<h4>Celebrate Disability History &amp; Success Stories</h4>
<ul style="margin-left:20px">
  <li>Invite alumni, community members, or guest speakers with disabilities to share their stories.</li>
  <li>Display a bulletin board with employment success stories, drawing from post-school transitions and role models.</li>
  <li>Include local heroes or figures like <strong>Dana Bolles</strong>, a NASA engineer and advocate who attributes her mainstream classroom experience to her educational success.</li>
</ul>
<h4>Teach Disability Rights and Awareness</h4>
<ul style="margin-left:20px">
  <li>Incorporate the disability rights movement into your curriculum: e.g., host a poster contest, announce daily disability-related facts, or discuss pioneering milestones such as the ADA.</li>
  <li>Use simple, inclusive language and challenge stereotypes.</li>
</ul>
<h4>Model Inclusive Transition Planning</h4>
<ul style="margin-left:20px">
  <li>Use <strong>customized employment</strong> models in transition planning: match students' strengths and interests with real-world job roles through intentional discovery, rather than assuming “typical” career paths.</li>
  <li>Build expectations around work culture early: “family expectations for paid employment and paid work experience during high school are predictors of postsecondary employment”.</li>
</ul>
<h4>Avoid Harmful Practices</h4>
<ul style="margin-left:20px">
  <li>Steer clear of disability simulations, like blindfold or wheelchair exercises, which can be offensive and reinforce negative perceptions.</li>
  <li>Instead, promote authentic experiences, like inclusive discussions, real engagement, or visits to workplaces with disabled professionals.</li>
</ul>
<h4>Educate Staff &amp; Families</h4>
<ul style="margin-left:20px">
  <li>Provide training on inclusive language, accommodations, and systemic barriers.</li>
  <li>Share resources on modular, accessible teaching practices and job readiness tools, like flexible scheduling or digital supports.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Useful Resources</h3>
<p>Here are some trusted tools to support your efforts:</p>
<p><strong>U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy – NDEAM Page</strong></p>
<p><strong> </strong>A central hub for official NDEAM themes, posters, virtual backgrounds, and educational materials for 2025, which commemorates the 80th anniversary under the theme <em>“Celebrating Value and Talent.”</em><a href="https://www.dol.gov/agencies/odep/initiatives/ndeam?utm_source=chatgpt.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> DOL</a></p>
<p><strong>The Arc—“How and Why to Celebrate NDEAM”</strong></p>
<p>Highlights the business case for inclusion and offers actionable ideas: sharing employment stories, reviewing hiring practices, and long-term investment strategies.<a href="https://thearc.org/blog/how-and-why-to-celebrate-national-disability-employment-awareness-month-october/?utm_source=chatgpt.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> The Arc</a></p>
<p><strong>EARN, JAN, and NACE Resources</strong></p>
<p><strong> </strong>From NACE’s self-assessments to JAN’s workplace accommodation tools, these <a href="https://www.naceweb.org/diversity-equity-and-inclusion/individuals-with-disabilities/tap-into-resources-for-national-disability-employment-awareness-month-and-beyond?utm_source=chatgpt.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">resources</a> support continuous improvement in education and transition services.</p>
<p>NDEAM offers an excellent springboard for embedding a culture of <strong>inclusion</strong> in TK–12 schools, going beyond awareness toward action. By celebrating student identities, shaping inclusive mindsets, and building bridges to meaningful employment, you empower students for futures where they are truly seen and valued.</p>
<h4>Citations</h4>
<p>Job Accommodation Network. (n.d.). <em>Job Accommodation Network</em>. In <em>Wikipedia</em>. Retrieved September 8, 2025, from<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Job_Accommodation_Network?utm_source=chatgpt.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Job_Accommodation_Network</a></p>
<p>National Disability Employment Awareness Month. (n.d.). In <em>Wikipedia</em>. Retrieved September 8, 2025, from<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Disability_Employment_Awareness_Month?utm_source=chatgpt.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Disability_Employment_Awareness_Month</a></p>
<p>Office of Disability Employment Policy. (n.d.). <em>National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM)</em>. U.S. Department of Labor. Retrieved September 8, 2025, from<a href="https://www.dol.gov/agencies/odep/initiatives/ndeam?utm_source=chatgpt.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> https://www.dol.gov/agencies/odep/initiatives/ndeam</a></p>
<p>The Arc. (2021, October 1). <em>How and why to celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month in October</em>. Retrieved September 8, 2025, from<a href="https://thearc.org/blog/how-and-why-to-celebrate-national-disability-employment-awareness-month-october?utm_source=chatgpt.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> https://thearc.org/blog/how-and-why-to-celebrate-national-disability-employment-awareness-month-october</a></p>
<p>University of Kansas School of Education &amp; Human Sciences. (2022, September 27). <em>National Disability Employment Awareness Month</em>. Retrieved September 8, 2025, from<a href="https://educationonline.ku.edu/community/national-disability-employment-awareness-month?utm_source=chatgpt.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> https://educationonline.ku.edu/community/national-disability-employment-awareness-month</a></p>
<p>National Association of Colleges and Employers. (2023, September 27). <em>Tap into resources for National Disability Employment Awareness Month and beyond</em>. Retrieved September 8, 2025, from<a href="https://www.naceweb.org/diversity-equity-and-inclusion/individuals-with-disabilities/tap-into-resources-for-national-disability-employment-awareness-month-and-beyond?utm_source=chatgpt.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> https://www.naceweb.org/diversity-equity-and-inclusion/individuals-with-disabilities/tap-into-resources-for-national-disability-employment-awareness-month-and-beyond</a></p>
<p>Global Disability Inclusion. (2022, October 6). <em>Disability employment awareness month: Best practices &amp; common pitfalls</em>. Retrieved September 8, 2025, from<a href="https://www.globaldisabilityinclusion.com/post/disability-employment-awareness-month-best-practices-common-pitfalls?utm_source=chatgpt.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> https://www.globaldisabilityinclusion.com/post/disability-employment-awareness-month-best-practices-common-pitfalls</a></p>
<p>Customized employment. (n.d.). In <em>Wikipedia</em>. Retrieved September 8, 2025, from<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Customized_employment?utm_source=chatgpt.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Customized_employment</a></p>
<p>Dana Bolles. (n.d.). In <em>Wikipedia</em>. Retrieved September 8, 2025, from<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dana_Bolles?utm_source=chatgpt.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dana_Bolles</a></p>


National Disability Employment Awareness Month: A Guide for TK–12 Special Educators