HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah -- National Disability Employment Awareness Month is observed from Oct. 1 to Oct. 31 each year.
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 president issues a proclamation each year calling on the people of the United States, especially the educational community, to observe National Disability Employment Awareness Month with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
The awareness event is observed so that Americans may reaffirm commitment to ensuring equal opportunity for all citizens and so that they may pay tribute to the accomplishments of men and women with disabilities who contributed, continue to contribute, and wish to contribute to making the nation's economy strong.
National Disability Employment Awareness Month dates back to the return of Service members with disabilities from World War II, sparking public interest in the contributions of people with disabilities in the workplace.
In 1945, Congress declared the first week in October each year National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week. In 1962, the word "physically" was deleted to acknowledge the needs and contributions of individuals with all types of disabilities. In 1988, Congress expanded the week to National Disability Employment Awareness Month.
Stay tuned throughout the month as the Team Hill Special Observance Council hosts a series of events to honor the disabled community. Invites will be sent by email and posted to Hill’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/hillairforcebase.