Congress designated each October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). This effort to educate the American public about issues related to disability and employment began in 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.”

To read Assistant Secretary Kathy Martinez’ 2010 NDEAM Message and watch for updates about NDEAM 2010 events , visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy page: http://www.dol.gov/odep/