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In October 2026, we celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), an annual recognition of the positive impact of people with disabilities in the American workforce. This yearly event began in 1945 as a weeklong national observance of the contributions of people with physical disabilities. In 1988, Congress designated the commemoration as NDEAM, which then evolved to acknowledge the importance of increasing employment opportunities for people with disabilities, including those with mental health conditions and other nonobvious disabilities. In 2001, ODEP was created and entrusted to administer NDEAM, including the selection and promotion of its annual theme.

This year’s NDEAM theme will be "Celebrating Value and Talent," carrying the spirit of last year's celebration forward through 2026 in honor of America's 250th birthday. We will recognize the skills and contributions Americans with disabilities add to the nation’s workplaces, communities, and economy. This year’s observance will play an important role in the department’s year-long celebration of the American worker in support of the nationwide Freedom 250 initiative.

• Read the news release

• Subscribe to receive NDEAM updates.

Register for the 2026 NDEAM virtual event

Join us to celebrate the achievements of disabled workers in America and the 25th anniversary of the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP).

When: October 16, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. ET

Where: Streaming online. Register to receive the accessible event link

The program will cover the record-high number of working-age disabled Americans with jobs. ODEP's 25 years of impact, the road to financial independence, recovery-ready workplaces, and the future of work. Featured guests include Secretary Keith Sonderling, ODEP Assistant Secretary Julie Hocker, former ODEP Assistant Secretary Neil Romano, OSHA Assistant Secretary David Keeling, EBSA Assistant Secretary Daniel Aronowitz, and Co-Chair of the Great American Recovery Initiative Kathryn Burgum.

Join us for this special commemoration!

 - https://www.dol.gov/agencies/odep/initiatives/ndeam

   NC Council for Exceptional Children