October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month! The purpose of National Disability Employment Awareness Month is to bring awareness to the disabled in the workplace, the struggles they may face, and their contribution to the workforce. The overall focus is to integrate them organically into the workforce so that they can be fully contributing members of society and achieve their own goals and aspirations. 

Just a few changes made to accommodate the needs of a disabled employee could keep them in the workforce and contributing not just to your own business, but with their taxpaying and purchase power.  It is vitally important and for the benefit of all to make these small changes and keep a good employee working. Employment First is a federal program created to help employers create an environment friendly to the disabled through mentoring, training, and dialogue. 

Long covid, injury, or mental or physical illness could also cause a good employee to struggle to remain employed. The key to maintaining them as an employee is to create a plan that works for everyone. Working from home in the short or long term and creating a back-to-the-office plan to follow that is sensitive to the needs of the employee and stands as a guide for expectations is a win-win. Learn more about the Campaign for Disability Employment here. 

NEILS provides a disability program that works to make sure that disabled people can live full, independent lives. Our goal is to have disabled people viewed the same as non-disabled people in our community. We also offer peer support from fellow disabled people, who can help mentor others and assist in problem-solving day-to-day life.