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National Disability Employment Awareness Month 2023
National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) 2023
Advancing Access and Equity
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM)! NDEAM aims to educate employers, employees with disabilities, and families about disability employment, and celebrate the many contributions of all workers with disabilities.
This year’s theme is “Advancing Access and Equity.” This theme means adapting to changes in the workplace, supporting accommodations for employees, and accessible workplace technology. It also means disabled youth are prepared to be successful in the workforce. MiDDC has created this web page to be a useful resource for employers, employees and families. Tools and resources will be shared throughout the month here and on our Facebook page.
Advancing Access and Equity also means advancing competitive integrated employment. You can learn more about competitive integrated employment by visiting the Office of Disability Employment Policy's website. To celebrate this year's theme, MiDDC will be sharing Employment Success Stories from people with disabilities that have lived experience with competitive, integrated employment.
Employment Success Stories
Kelly Bonifas
Interview with Kelly BonifasJacqueline Cuevas
Interview with Jacqueline CuevasRose Cuevas
Interview with Rose CuevasZachary Damon
Interview with Zachary DamonBonnie González
Interview with Bonnie GonzálezStuart Herman
Interview with Stuart HermanHoll Miller
Interview with Holl MillerZachery Mondlak
Interview with Zachery MondlakGrant Schafer
Interview with Grant SchaferConnor Slaght
Interview with Connor SlaghtBrandyLee Smith
Interview with BrandyLee SmithKatherine Sneller
Interview with Katherine SnellerRebecca Stockford
Interview with Rebecca StockfordJakob Syswerda
Interview with Jakob SyswerdaEric Patrick Thomas
Interview with Eric Patrick ThomasTyler Urias
Interview with Tyler UriasJeffrey VanDyke
Interview with Jeffrey VanDykeChaley Wall
Interview with Chaley Wall"Doors" Commercial on Employment for People with Disabilities
People with I/DD have a lot to offer businesses. They're dependable, committed to their job, and they're hard workers. Customers also prefer to do business with companies that hire workers with disabilities. Watch the "Doors" commercial to learn more about their contribution to the workplace.
NDEAM Resource Center
Competitive Integrated Employment
The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) defines competitive integrated employment (CIE) as work that is performed on a full-time or part-time basis for which an individual is:
- Compensated at or above minimum wage and comparable to the customary rate paid by the employer to employees without disabilities performing similar duties and with similar training and experience;
- Receiving the same level of benefits provided to other employees without disabilities in similar positions;
- At a location where the employee interacts with other individuals without disabilities; and
- Presented opportunities for advancement similar to other employees without disabilities in similar positions.
MiDDC has been working to improve CIE outcomes for individuals through our Employment First initiative and continuous improvement to policies and practices in Michigan. Two Employment First Reports have been released which examine the employment status of Michigan adults with disabilities and the changes needed to increase CIE opportunities in our state. Visit our Publications page to view the Employment First Reports.
MiDDC's Employment Resources
Society benefits when all members can participate and work toward achieving their goals. Inclusive employment for people with I/DD enriches local communities through a diverse workforce that promotes economic growth and fosters innovation.
This webpage includes resources for job providers, individuals, and families. You will also find information related to MiDDC's Employment First Initiative.
Participate in NDEAM
Employers, employees with disabilities, and their families can use the information on this website to help spread the word about the importance of National Disability Employment Awareness Month.