National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) is a national campaign held in October that raises awareness about employment issues for disabled people, and celebrates the many and varied contributions of America’s workers with disabilities. NDEAM’s roots go back to 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.” The Presidential Proclamation of 2015 states: “America is at its strongest when we harness the talents and celebrate the distinct gifts of all our people. This October, as we observe the 70th anniversary of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, let us pay tribute to all who fought for better laws, demanded better treatment, and overcame ignorance and indifference to make our Nation more perfect. In their honor, and for the betterment of generations of Americans to come, let us continue the work of removing obstacles to employment so every American has the chance to develop their skills and make their unique mark on the world we share.” During National Disability Employment Awareness Month, the National Consortium on Racial and Ethnic Fairness in the Courts recognizes the indispensable contributions people with disabilities have made and will continue to make in our economy, and we salute their efforts. Employment opportunities and legal rights should be made available to all people, regardless of disability, race, creed, color, national origin or gender.
Animal behavioral scientist Temple Grandin is a strong advocate for more humane livestock handling and her mission is deeply connected to her autism. Photo credit: Temple Grandin by NASA Kennedy (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
David Beckham, who has obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), is a retired professional soccer player. He spent much of his career with the Manchester United team, bolstering that organization's already legendary status in English football. Photo credit: David Beckham by Soccer Aid for Unicef (CC BY 3.0)
Mexican artist Frida Kahlo suffered polio during her childhood and, according to some sources, also had spina bifida, which caused dysmetria in her right leg. Photo credit: Frida Kahlo, Autoretrato (1926-1954) by Rael Garcia Arnes (CC BY-NC 2.0)
John Nash, who had schizophrenia, won a Nobel Prize in economics in 1994 for formulating the idea of the Nash equilibrium. He has been celebrated in both a book on his life and an Oscar-winning movie (A Beautiful Mind). Photo credit: John Nash Jr. by MEmreSoyak (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0)
Whoopi Goldberg, who has dyslexia, said of her experience "The advantage is that my brain sees and puts information in my head differently, more interestingly than if I saw like everyone else." Photo credit: Whoopi by Archman8 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Most notable for his role as Harry Potter, Daniel Radcliffe has lived with a mild case of dyspraxia for his entire life. Dyspraxia is a common neurological disorder that affects motor skill development. Photo credit: Daniel Radcliffe by Gage Skidmore (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Singer and actress, Cher, who has a math learning disability, has been a mainstay of the Hollywood glitterati for more than three decades, and her personal star seems to be waxing still. She is a triple threat with successful records, an Academy Award, and a Grammy Award. Photo credit: Cher Empire Cinema by Wilson Simonard (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Fetty Wap was born Willie Maxwell in the financially strapped city of Paterson, New Jersey. At a young age, he lost the use of his left eye due to congenital glaucoma, a rare condition among newborns. He currently has an ocular prosthesis. Photo credit: Fetty Wap by Towelie (CC BY-NC 4.0)
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