UHart Celebrates National Disability Employment Awareness Month

This Oct. marks the 77-year anniversary of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), a federally designated month honoring the achievements and contributions of U.S. workers with disabilities. The 2022 theme is “Disability: Part of the Equity Equation,” to reinforce the fact that people with disabilities play a critical role in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) across the workforce. 

National Disability Employment Awareness Month was created in 1945 by President Truman. In President Joe Biden’s recent National Disability Employment Awareness Month briefing, Presidential Actions on Sept. 30, he said, “This month, let us acknowledge workers with disabilities who make our communities, our economy, and our Nation stronger. Let us continue the legacy of generations of disability rights activists who have fought for equal employment opportunities, integrated workplaces, and equal pay for equal work. Let us deliver the promise of America to all Americans.”  

Why do we need a month of awareness for disability employment? Unemployment rates for people with disabilities are more than twice the number as for people without disabilities. In Aug. of 2022, only 37.6 percent of people with disabilities were employed, compared to 77.5 percent of people without disabilities. People with disabilities are valuable employees who bring unique skills and perspectives to their jobs. Everyone plays an important part in fostering a more equitable and inclusive workforce, one where all people are recognized for their abilities — every day of every month. 

As part of UHart’s strategic goal to promote a vibrant, diverse, inclusive, and socially just community, we are working to break down barriers of invisibility for individuals with disabilities. 

On-campus Resources:  

• For Employees:  
  • Disabilities Employee Affinity Network - The mission of the Disabilities Affinity Network is to engage the University of Hartford community and raise awareness through support and discussion related to the promotion of equal opportunities and the elimination of barriers for persons with disabilities.   
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - The University offers an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to meet the needs of the regular full-time and regular part-time employee, spouse, dependent children and/or any family member that resides with the employee. 

• For Students:  
  • Access-ability Services - Access-Ability Services at the University of Hartford provides accommodations and services to students with disabilities to ensure a university experience that gives individuals with disabilities the same access to programs, opportunities and activities as all others. 
  • Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) - University of Hartford’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) provides a range of short-term counseling services to the University community. Services are available to full-time undergraduate students at no additional cost. Part-time and graduate students may utilize CAPS services for a nominal fee. 

Educational Resources:  

Websites  

• Disability Visibility Project 
• Job Accommodation Network 

Articles  

• Breaking Down Workplace Barriers For Those With Invisible Disabilities 
• Disability History: An Important Part of America’s Heritage 

Podcasts 

• The Accessible Stall 
• Power Not Pity 
• UHart Interview with Congressman Tony Coelho  

Videos  

• Disability does not mean inability 
• Focus on What You Can Do  

 

Questions, comments, or suggestions? Contact Christine Grant, Assistant Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Community Engagement (cgrant@hartford.edu; 860-768-4220), and/or Lisa Coté, Assistant Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (licote@hartford.edu; 860-768-4932).