Every October, the country recognizes National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), a time to honor the contributions people with disabilities make in workplaces, communities, and the economy. At GoodLife, it’s a month that feels very close to home.
Where NDEAM Came From
NDEAM began in 1945 as a weeklong national observance recognizing the contributions of people with physical disabilities. In 1988, Congress expanded it into a full month, and over the years its focus grew to include people with mental health conditions and other non-obvious disabilities. Since 2001, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) has led the observance and chosen its annual theme.
This Year’s Theme
The 2026 theme is “Celebrating Value and Talent,” carried forward from last year in honor of America’s 250th birthday. The message is simple: people with disabilities bring real skills, creativity, and dedication to the work they do, and workplaces are stronger when everyone has the chance to contribute.
What Value and Talent Look Like at GoodLife
We see it every day.
- In our creative spaces. At RISE, the people we support turn their talents into arts and crafts, and at events like Family Fun Day, they sell products they’ve grown or made themselves at our farmer’s market and bazaar.
- In our day programs. Day Services offer meaningful opportunities to build skills, learn, and give back through volunteering in the community.
- In our poets and makers. Tyler Cobb has written 86 poems and counts on inspiration from everyday life, nature, and friendship. His invitation to this year’s Family Fun Day hangs framed at our Skills Building.
- In our team. Direct Support Professionals bring their own value and talent to work every day, and we’re proud to build jobs designed to keep them.
Ways to Celebrate Year-Round
Employment inclusion doesn’t end on October 31. A few ideas:
- Learn. The Department of Labor’s ODEP offers free NDEAM resources, including a “31 Days of NDEAM” activity for each day of the month.
- Support. Shop, share, and celebrate the work of the people we support.
- Join us. Explore open positions on our Careers page, or volunteer with us.
Thank you for helping us celebrate the value and talent of everyone in our community, this month and every month.
Learn more about NDEAM at dol.gov/agencies/odep/initiatives/ndeam.
