NDEAM, Lawrence, MA
Since 1988, National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) has been recognized and celebrated throughout the United States. And this year it’s no different.
In recognition of the important role people with disabilities play in a diverse and inclusive American workforce, the theme for National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) 2022 will be ‘Disability: Part of the Equity Equation.’ Observed annually in October, NDEAM celebrates the contributions of America’s workers with disabilities past and present and showcases supportive, inclusive employment policies and practices. (National Disability Employment Awareness Month: October 2022)
In 1988 the U.S. Congress declared the month of October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month. It came about in an effort to raise awareness of the employment needs and contributions of individuals with all types of disabilities. But awareness did not guarantee that disabled individuals’ needs were being met.
The ADA – Americans with Disabilities Act – became the law of the land thirty-two years ago on July 26, 1990 in an attempt to forbid discrimination against people with disabilities in employment, transportation, public accommodations, communications, and access to state and local government’ programs and services. It also aims to protect the rights of both those who are looking for jobs and those who are already employed through Title I of the ADA.
But as many with hidden disabilities like Asperger’s Syndrome/Autism know all too well, the ADA does not guarantee that those who want to work will be hired or those who are employed will be able to keep their jobs. It is therefore appropriate that the public is reminded each year of the hope of NDEAM and the goal of the ADA through emphasizing the needs of disabled people during the month of October.
October 20, 2022
For the first time in Lawrence, MA history, the City celebrated NDEAM under the guiding hands of its first full-time ADA Coordinator, Richard Rodriguez. Richard invited organizations from the Greater Haverhill Community to participate in a Meet & Greet at the Lawrence City Center. AWorks was represented by Adam & Eva Rajczyk; and Eva was among those who gave short presentations about their organizations.
