ALCOAST 373/20 - OCT 2020 OCTOBER IS NATIONAL DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS MONTH

R 011646 OCT 20
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-00H//
TO ALCOAST
UNCLAS //N05350//
ALCOAST 373/20
COMDTNOTE 5350
SUBJ:  OCTOBER IS NATIONAL DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS MONTH
1. October is designated by Congress as National Disability Employment Awareness
Month (NDEAM) to recognize and celebrate the contributions of all persons with
disabilities. The official theme for this year’s celebration, “Increasing Access
and Opportunity,” reminds us of the important work that is still to be done to
ensure that persons with disabilities are treated with dignity and have full access
to employment opportunities.
2. This year marks our Nation’s 75th observance of NDEAM. In 1945, Congress declared
the first week in October as “National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week.”
In 1988, the observance was extended by Congress to a month and renamed. NDEAM is
administered by the Department of Labor (DOL) Office of Disability Employment Policy.
This year NDEAM also culminates the DOL’s year-long commemoration of the 30th
anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the landmark of civil rights
legislation that prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in employment,
transportation, public accommodations, communications, and access to state and local
government programs and services.
3. NDEAM serves as a reminder that the U.S. Coast Guard welcomes and encourages
applications from people with disabilities, and works to respond to the needs of
employees so that they can enjoy a challenging and rewarding career. Job applicants
who are qualified individuals with a disability need not be current or former federal
employees to be eligible for appointment under Schedule A of the excepted service.
The Coast Guard strives to be a model employer of persons with disabilities by
ensuring that opportunities are not closed to qualified individuals, and that
reasonable accommodations, necessary for successful performance, are provided under
the law.
4. All Coast Guard commands and units are encouraged to join with persons with
disabilities and celebrate NDEAM and the anniversary of the ADA with appropriate
activities and events. In light of public health guidance during the COVID-19 pandemic,
please follow local guidelines for in-person gatherings and static displays, and use
remote collaboration tools, websites, newsletters, and/or social media to highlight
this observance.
5. POC for this ALCOAST is Mrs. Shawntell Williams, Shawntell.D.Williams@uscg.mil.
6. Dr. Terri A. Dickerson, Civil Rights Director, sends.
7. Internet release is authorized.