Site Announcements

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month

Last Updated: September 22, 2022

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), and all AgLearn Users are encouraged to participate. The purpose of National Disability Employment Awareness Month is to educate about disability employment issues and celebrate the many and varied contributions of America's workers with disabilities.

The U.S. Department of Labor has announced the theme for 2022 National Disability Employment Awareness Month is "Disability: Part of the Equity Equation."

Background

Held annually, National Disability Employment Awareness Month is led by the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy, but its true spirit lies in the many observances held at the grassroots level across the nation every year. Employers of all sizes and in all industries are encouraged to participate in NDEAM.

The effort to educate the public about the issues related to disability and employment began in 1945, when Congress enacted Public Law 176, declaring the first week of October each year as 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. Some 25 years later, Congress expanded the week to a month and changed the name to National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

More information about National Disability Employment Awareness Month External Link.

Selected AgLearn Resources

For even more learning resources on disability, accessibility, and employment policy, browse AgLearn and find partner content from LinkedIn Learning and Skillsoft-Percipio.

USDA Events and Resources

Section 508 Awareness Event: Together We Can Eliminate the Barriers Faced by People With Disabilities!

USDA’s Section 508 Awareness Event is a one-day, free inclusive digital event experience that brings together people with disabilities, accessibility professionals, and associates within USDA to enhance the user experience through accessible technology. Everyone, including individuals who may not have anything to do with technology or accessibility on a routine basis, is encouraged to participate. The event is only available to federal employees and federal contractors within the United States Government.

Event Date: October 19, 2022, 10:00am – 4:00pm EST
Webinar Registration: Together We Can Eliminate the Barriers Faced by People With Disabilities! External Link (ZoomGov)

Schedule (EST Time Zone)

10:00am to 10:15am - Introduction and Opening Remarks
10:15am to 10:20am - Keynote Remarks: Introduction of USDA Secretary
10:20am to 10:35am - Keynote Remarks: USDA Secretary (or designee) proposed
10:35am to 10:50am - Presentation: Ableism
10:50am to 11:05am - Presentation: What is the “A” in DEIA? Disability, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility!
11:05am to 11:15am - Break: Poll Questions
11:15am to 11:30am - Presentation: DEIA - Implementing Accessible Design and Development within the ICT Infrastructure
11:30am to 12:00pm - Presentation: How Department-level Enterprise IT Governance Board and the Section 508 governance board help eliminate barriers for people with disabilities
12:00pm to 12:30pm - Lunch Break
12:30pm to 12:55pm - Presentation: My experience working in the Federal Government as a member of the Disability Community!
12:55pm to 1:40pm - Presentation: Photosensitivity and flicker rate and how it impacts epilepsy
1:40pm to 2:10pm - Presentation: Digital Accessibility
2:10pm to 2:45pm - Presentation: Section 508 and Schedule A
2:45pm to 2:55pm - Break – Poll Questions
2:55pm to 3:50pm - Presentation: Website Accessibility – Making websites compliant and accessible
3:50pm to 4:00pm - Closing Remarks

Federal Information and Resources

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