U.S. Department of Labor Marks National Disability Employment Awareness Month: 2026 Theme Is 'Celebrating Value and Talent'
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) in the United States. The annual observance, led by the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), recognizes the positive impact of people with disabilities in the American workforce. This year's theme is "Celebrating Value and Talent."
The observance began in 1945 as a weeklong national recognition of the contributions of people with physical disabilities. In 1988, Congress expanded it to a month, and it evolved to acknowledge the importance of increasing employment opportunities for people with disabilities, including those with mental health conditions and other nonobvious disabilities. ODEP was created in 2001 and entrusted to administer NDEAM, including selecting and promoting its annual theme.
The Labor Department says the 2026 theme carries the spirit of last year's celebration forward in honor of America's 250th birthday, and that this year's observance plays an important role in the department's year-long celebration of the American worker in support of the nationwide Freedom 250 initiative.
"Americans with disabilities have been a part of our nation's success from the very start," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Disability Employment Policy Julie Hocker when the theme was announced. "This year's theme honors the value and talent of disabled Americans, past and present. Most importantly, though, it affirms our commitment to the future and full participation.
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 白宫玫瑰园一场有轮椅使用者代表出席的活动（2023年资料图）。白宫官方照片，公共领域，经 Wikimedia Commons。 / An event at the White House Rose Garden attended by disability community representatives (2023 file photo). White House photo, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
