National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) is an annual, month-long event which celebrates the important role people with disabilities play in a diverse and inclusive American workforce and recognizes the contributions of workers with disabilities. NDEAM also provides a time to showcase employers with supportive, inclusive employment policies and practices.
At the national level, the Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy’s campaign theme for 2022 is “Disability: Part of the Equity Equation.” You can visit ODEP’s NDEAM website here to learn more.
Join us as a valued partner in spreading the word about National Disability Employment Awareness Month and promoting inclusive hiring! We have created a toolkit to help you:
- Join us all month long in advocating for the competitive, integrated employment of people with disabilities.
- Use the hashtag #NDEAM on social media
Equitable Employment in Arkansas
What is equity in the workplace? Workplace equity is the concept of providing fair opportunities for all of your employees based on their individual needs. Equity levels the playing field.
How do you practice equity in the workplace? Start by focusing on these three areas:
- the recruiting/hiring process
- salary
- accommodations
Implementing equitable policies at your organization has the potential to change the lives of your employees, improve your workplace culture and affect positive change in the wider community. GCDD challenges employers across the state to review their hiring practices and learn more about available resources to help them practice more inclusive and equitable employment across Arkansas.
This document includes some example first steps you can take towards building an inclusive workplace: First Steps to an Inclusive Workplace Flyer v2022
What does competitive, integrated employment mean?
Competitive, integrated employment means a full-time or part-time job (with or without supports) in the competitive labor force, in a physically/functionally/socially integrated setting, paying at least minimum wage but not less than the customary wage for the same or similar work performed by workers without a disability, and offering a level of employer-paid benefits that are the same or similar as offered to workers without a disability. Click here to visit our resource page for more information.
EVENTS:
10/05/2022 NDEAM Arkansas 2022 Kickoff Event at the Arkansas State Capitol
For National Disability Employment Awareness Month 2022 the Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities co-hosted a Proclamation reading with Arkansas Rehabilitation Services at the State Capitol Rotunda on October 5th from 10 AM to Noon.
Governor Hutchinson’s Proclamation was read, and resource tables were available with experts answering questions about Competitive, Integrated Employment in Arkansas.
News Release – NDEAM 2022 Arkansas
Media Advisory – October Proclaimed as NDEAM
10/12/2022 Virtual Employer/Employee Panel with the national Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE)
Tell Your Employment Story
(with the Arkansas Association of People Supporting Employment First President, Wensday Kraemer, and Arkansas Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities Executive Director, Jonathan Taylor)
Wednesday, October 12th, 2022 from Noon – 1pm Central. FREE to Members / FREE to Non-Members.
A FREE webinar to all! Join Wensday and Jonathan from Arkansas as they host a panel discussion. Individuals with disabilities who are employed come together with their supervisors to discuss their journeys of navigating employment.
10/18/2022 Arkansas Business Employment Summit with Disability:IN Arkansas (Disability Inclusion of Arkansas)
Inclusion Drives Business
Tuesday, October 18th, 2022, from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm CDT at the Little Rock Marriott, 3 Statehouse Plaza, Little Rock, Arkansas 72201
Arkansas Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities Executive Director, Jonathan Taylor joins partner agency, Arkansas Rehabilitation Services, Arkansas businesses and employment professionals for this event in downtown Little Rock. Learn from the best and brightest in disability inclusion with cutting-edge educational sessions, enhanced networking and high-profile speakers who specialize in disability-related fields. Disability Inclusion of Arkansas is business-led and helps companies advance their disability inclusion efforts in the workplace and marketplace.