Washington, D.C. - Every year, during the month of October, Goodwill of Greater Washington (Goodwill) joins hundreds of organizations across the United States in recognizing National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). This campaign is an opportunity to educate our nation's workforce, facilitate discussion about disability employment issues, and celebrate the countless contributions of America's workers with differing abilities. The theme for 2024 is, “Access to Good Jobs for All”. The theme highlights the Department of Labor's focus on equal opportunities for good jobs. It also emphasizes the importance of job quality.

A key focus of Goodwill's mission to transform lives and communities through the power of education and employment is to provide individuals with differing abilities in the Washington, D.C. area the opportunity to obtain sustainable employment through the AbilityOne Program which is among the nation's largest providers of jobs for people who are blind or have significant disabilities.

Goodwill operates nine government contract sites through the AbilityOne program including the US Senate Office Building, The Bureau of Engraving and Printing, Bolling Air Force Base, and The U.S. Geological Survey, employing over 200 team members. Almost 76 percent of all labor hours at Goodwill's contract sites are performed by individuals with differing abilities, providing them with hope, dignity, and independence.

“We are once again proud to be a part of this year's National Disability Employment Awareness Month,” said Goodwill of Greater Washington CEO, Catherine Meloy. “As we celebrate NDEAM and our amazing local team members this October, Goodwill calls on employers to consider hiring people with differing abilities and to adopt inclusive policies and access to good jobs in the workplace.”

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that almost 24% of Americans with differing abilities participate in the labor force. That compares with over 68% of people in the general population who are working.

Employers and employees in all industries can learn more about how to participate in National Disability Employment Awareness Month and ways they can promote its message - during October and throughout the year - by visiting www.dol.gov/ndeam.

To learn more about Goodwill's contracts division and the AbilityOne Program please visit https://www.dcgoodwill.org/employment/contract-services/.

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About Goodwill of Greater Washington: Goodwill of Greater Washington has been transforming lives and communities through the power of education and employment since 1935.