Nationwide campaign will take place in October

(Greenville, Ohio) — The Darke County Board of Developmental Disabilities (Darke DD) is participating in National Disability Employment Awareness Month, an annual awareness campaign that takes place each October. The purpose of National Disability Employment Awareness Month is to educate about disability employment issues and celebrate the many and varied contributions of America’s workers with disabilities. This year’s theme is “America’s Recovery: Powered by Inclusion”.

The history of National Disability Employment Awareness Month 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.

“Our national recovery from the pandemic cannot be completed without the inclusion of all Americans, in particular people with disabilities,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh. “Their contributions have historically been vital to our nation’s success and are more important today than ever. We must build an economy that fully includes the talent and drive of those with disabilities.”

“Darke DD is proud of our many successes accessing community-based employment with 40 businesses employing more than 60 individuals supported through our agency,” said Michael Beasecker, Superintendent. “It is our goal to continue to expand employment opportunities for all individuals and break down all barriers for people with disabilities in Darke County,” added Tonya Clark, Superintendent Successor.

Be sure to follow Darke DD on social media as we share more about NDEAM and local efforts to celebrate employment and inclusion of people with disabilities. Employers and employees in all industries can learn more about how to participate in National Disability Employment Awareness Month and ways they can promote its messages — during October and throughout the year — by visiting www.dol.gov/NDEAM.