National Disability Employment Awareness Month

"As we mark October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month, it is important that we make a renewed commitment to ensuring that the American workplace is open and available to individuals with disabilities. We all benefit when workers with disabilities are able to contribute to our economy and participate fully in our communities.

"Many business owners know that hiring people with disabilities pays off by providing them with responsible, committed employees. The Department of Labor reports that adjustments to accommodate workers – if needed at all – are low: two-thirds cost less than $500. Yet, persons with a disability seeking employment are more than twice as likely to be unemployed and twice as likely to work part-time. National Disability Employment Awareness Month was established to share those facts and help business owners and workers get any resources they need to end those disparities.

"As we work to increase the employment of people with disabilities, we also need to recognize the importance of the Americans with Disabilities Act in that effort. The ADA has worked to eliminate barriers that have blocked entry to workers, preventing them from even competing for jobs that they could not physically get to. We must keep the ADA strong if we want to reach the goal of full employment for people with disabilities."