It is estimated that one in four U.S. adults has a disability, and it is important to recognize that not all disabilities are apparent or long-term. Many individuals you engage with daily—including coworkers, students, friends, or family members—may experience a short or long-term disability at some point.

National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM)

Every October, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) promotes and encourages businesses and organizations nationwide to participate in National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). 

At the University of Michigan, the Disability Equity Office within U-M’s Equity, Civil Rights and Title IX Office hosts a month-long series of engagement opportunities for all members of our university community to participate in disability education and awareness activities in celebration of NDEAM throughout October.

Disability Equity Office NDEAM Series Workshops

The series will kick off with the 3rd Annual NDEAM Resource Fair, followed by workshops and community engagement activities throughout October. The resource fair will take place Oct. 1, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., in the Rogel Ballroom in Michigan Union. Haben Girma, a best-selling author, renowned disability advocate, and the first Deafblind person to graduate from Harvard Law School, will deliver the keynote address at 11 a.m. Registration is required to reserve seating. A meet-and-greet and book signing will follow the address.

Throughout October, the Disability Equity Office will host a wide range of educational workshops and events on various topics, from creating accessible web content to creating a disability-inclusive workplace environment. 

Workshop topics include: 

• Navigating workplace performance issues and the intersection with disability accommodations

• Information about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the history of the disability rights movement  

• Communication techniques and best practices for employees and supervisors to ensure a productive and positive interactive process to identify reasonable accommodations.  

• Executive functioning tips and tools to improve workplace productivity and time management skills 

U-M community members are crucial in creating a more accessible and disability-inclusive workplace. We encourage you to register for an NDEAM workshop to discover how you can actively contribute to advancing disability inclusion at U-M.

NDEAM 2025 Schedule

Check out Disability Equity Office events on Happening @ Michigan:

• 9/18: An Instructor's Guide to Designing Accessible Courses

• 9/25: “I Didn’t Realize That Could Be a Disability:” Substance & Alcohol Use Disorders, Skin Conditions, Infertility and More

• 10/1: Haben Girma, National Disability Employment Awareness Month Keynote Address, and the NDEAM Resource Fair

• 10/6: The Intersection of Employee Performance Challenges and the Interactive Process: Practical Advice for Successful Outcomes

• 10/8: Interpreted Interactions with Deaf Employees

• 10/13: Creating Accessible Web Content: Intro to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1

• 10/15: Executive Functioning for All!: Tools, Techniques, and Tips to Improve Task Management and Workplace Productivity

• 10/20: U.S. Disability Rights Movement: The Relationship Between Advocacy and Compliance

• 10/22: Frequently Asked Questions: From Accessible Design to Service Animals and Everything in Between

• 10/28: Dos and Don’ts of Disability Disclosure: Updated Edition

• 10/30: Creating and Maintaining an Accessible Hybrid Workplace