Goodwill of Greater Washington Joins National Celebration of Disability Employment, Value and Talent

2026 National Disability Employment Awareness Month Recognizes the Skills and Contributions of People with Differing Abilities

WASHINGTON, D.C. – During October, Goodwill of Greater Washington (Goodwill) joins organizations across the country in observing National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), an annual celebration of the positive impact people with differing abilities make in America’s workplaces, communities and economy.

The 2026 theme, “Celebrating Value and Talent,” continues the spirit of the 2025 observance and honors America’s 250th birthday. The U.S. Department of Labor says this year’s celebration recognizes the skills and contributions Americans with disabilities bring to the nation and supports its yearlong celebration of the American worker through the nationwide Freedom 250 initiative.

A key focus of Goodwill’s mission to transform lives and communities through the power of education and employment is creating pathways to sustainable employment for people with disabilities across the Washington, D.C. region. Through the AbilityOne Program, one of the nation’s largest sources of employment for people who are blind or have significant disabilities, Goodwill team members perform essential work at federal contract sites.

Goodwill operates nine government contract sites through the AbilityOne Program, including the U.S. Senate Office Building, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, Bolling Air Force Base and the U.S. Geological Survey, employing more than 200 team members. Nearly 80 percent of all labor hours at Goodwill’s contract sites are performed by people with differing abilities, helping provide greater independence, purpose and economic opportunity.

“We are proud to join the 2026 National Disability Employment Awareness Month celebration and recognize the tremendous value and talent people with differing abilities bring to our workplaces and communities,” said Goodwill of Greater Washington President and CEO Catherine Meloy. “This October, we encourage employers throughout the region to expand access to meaningful career opportunities and build workplaces where every person has the opportunity to contribute, grow and thrive.”

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that 22.8 percent of people with a disability were employed in 2025, compared with 65.2 percent of people without a disability. The unemployment rate for people with a disability was 8.3 percent, twice the 4.1 percent rate for people without a disability.

Employers and employees can find ideas and official resources for participating in NDEAM during October and throughout the year at dol.gov/ndeam.

To learn more about Goodwill of Greater Washington’s Contract Services operations and the AbilityOne Program, visit dcgoodwill.org/employment/contract-services.

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About Goodwill of Greater Washington
Goodwill of Greater Washington is a caring and local nonprofit that has been transforming lives and communities through the power of education and employment since 1935.

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