Since 1945 the U.S. has recognized October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month. It’s a way to acknowledge people with disabilities and the contribution they make to the American workforce.
75 years after the designation, Dennis Grant with United Rehabilitation Services in Dayton says there’s been tremendous progress made in employing people with disabilities, but he says, it hasn’t always been this way.
“It was a real struggle for many many years and they were relegated to sometimes really difficult and dangerous jobs," he says.
Grant says employment opportunities for people with disabilities have remained strong throughout the COVID crisis. He says more employers these days realize the benefits of hiring people with disabilities.
“I think employers are starting to realize that opportunity. A person with a disability, they are going to make a commitment to your place of employment and really do their absolute best.“
Employers considering hiring people with disabilities may be fearful of having to make changes to their workplace. But, Grant says United Rehabilitation Services and many state and local agencies have resources to provide support.