Each October, the nation recognizes the contributions of a talented and often overlooked segment of the workforce. National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) is a dedicated moment to reflect on how inclusive hiring strengthens businesses and communities alike.
This year’s NDEAM theme, “Celebrating Value and Talent,” puts the focus exactly where it belongs: on the skills, dedication, and perspective that employees bring to every role. In this post, Maryland employers will learn where this observance comes from, why it matters locally, and how to turn awareness into meaningful action.
National Disability Employment Awareness Month is an annual October observance with a long and purposeful history. It began as a one-week recognition and expanded over the decades into a full month of national attention on inclusive employment.
The campaign is led by the Department of Labor and its Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP). Each year, ODEP releases the official NDEAM poster, which anchors the annual message and gives employers a visible way to participate.
This year’s NDEAM theme speaks directly to employers evaluating their talent strategies. Celebrating value and talent signals that inclusion is not charity—it is smart, forward-looking business.
The theme also honors the legacy of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which reshaped workplaces for the better and continues to guide fair, accessible employment practices today.
Inclusive hiring is a competitive advantage, and Maryland businesses are well positioned to benefit.
Consider what people with disabilities bring to your organization:
• Loyalty and higher retention, which lowers costly turnover
• Innovation and creative problem-solving shaped by unique perspectives
• Reliability and strong work ethic across roles and industries
Workers with disabilities represent a skilled, underutilized talent pool—one that reflects the diversity of Maryland’s own communities. Tapping into it strengthens teams and broadens your candidate pipeline.
Beyond the business case, participating in national disability employment awareness efforts helps employers meet workforce goals while reinforcing commitments under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Inclusive hiring is a strategy, not a checkbox. Employers can draw on trusted resources from the Office of Disability Employment Policy and the Department of Labor to build practices that last.
Awareness matters most when it drives real action close to home.
Maryland Works’ 17th Annual Employment Awards is the local expression of this year’s theme. The event spotlights the employers, professionals, and workers with disabilities who embody celebrating value and talent every day.
Attending is a chance to connect with a community of business leaders committed to inclusion and to celebrate measurable success stories across the state.
Maryland Works offers:
• Employer training on inclusive hiring and accessibility
• Job matching that connects you with qualified candidates
• Ongoing expertise in disability employment best practices
These services advance the goals of disability employment awareness month (NDEAM) through sustained, year-round inclusion.
You do not need a large budget to make an impact. Start with these practical steps:
Then, extend that momentum. Build inclusion into year-round policy and culture, and you will fully realize the value that workers with disabilities bring to your organization.
National Disability Employment Awareness Month is more than a date on the calendar—it is an invitation for Maryland employers to act. By embracing this year’s “Celebrating Value and Talent” theme, you help build a stronger, more inclusive workforce that benefits everyone. The Annual Employment Awards brings that theme to life right here in Maryland.
Join the Maryland Works network to access qualified talent, expert training, and ongoing support. And be sure to register for our 17th Annual Employment Awards to celebrate the value and talent shaping Maryland’s future.
• National Disability Employment Awareness Month is observed every October, led by the Department of Labor and Office of Disability Employment Policy.
• This year’s NDEAM theme is “Celebrating Value and Talent.”
• Workers with disabilities bring loyalty, innovation, and measurable business value.
• The 17th Annual Employment Awards brings the theme to life locally.
• Join the Maryland Works network to turn awareness into lasting action