FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. – Every October, America observes National Disability Employment Awareness Month, or NDEAM. This month we bring awareness to the value and the talent workers with disabilities add to America’s workplaces and economy.
In 1945, Congress recognized the first week of October as “National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week”, which evolved into “National Disability Employment Awareness Month”. By doing this, Congress recognized that every member of our society plays an important and distinct role in our nation’s workforce. In 1973, the Rehabilitation Act was passed to prohibit employment discrimination based on disability. The law broadened the career opportunities for disabled Americans by allowing states the opportunity to receive federal grants and funding for vocational rehabilitation services, employment, independent living, and client assistance programs. In 1990, The Americans with Disabilities Act built upon its predecessor and incorporated concepts of accessibility and equity in the workplace. It also applied them to all aspects of American society, creating an inclusive and holistic disability-based civil rights law.
At Fort Leonard Wood, we remain committed to protecting the rights of all people from discrimination in employment regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin and age, mental or physical disability, or sexual orientation. It is the responsibility of all leaders to foster inclusive climates to enable success. As an Army installation, we support a significant number of veterans whose service to our country left them physically and/or mentally disabled. We will always support our veterans with the care and treatment they have earned, along with access to employment opportunities.
For this observance we encourage every Civilian member of our Force to update their disability statuses in MyBiz+; the information is kept completely confidential, and the process only takes a few minutes. Your willingness to share your status will give Army leaders insights into the makeup of our workforce, which will allow us to make informed decisions regarding resources and programs in support of positive command climates and accessible workplaces.
You can visit the U.S. Department of Labor website here for more information about National Disability Employment Awareness Month, and you can contact the Fort Leonard Wood Disability Program Team at the Fort Leonard Wood Equal Employment Opportunity Office at Bldg. 315 or call 573.596.0602.
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