This October, in honor of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), Goodwill North Central Texas joins employers, government agencies and other nonprofits to celebrate the contributions of people with disabilities to the workforce. NDEAM is a time to recognize their skills, talents and the importance of ensuring equal opportunities for everyone.
In 2023, Goodwill North Central Texas served 11,920 people and provided 121,114 services through 27 unique programs, including employment training and placement services. Goodwill is a leading nonprofit provider of job placement, training, and support services for individuals facing challenges in finding employment, including people with disabilities.
Across North America, Goodwill organizations provided services to over 138,000 people with disabilities last year, a number that exceeds the capacity of the largest sports stadium in the U.S., Michigan Stadium. Goodwill’s support services include occupational skills training, job readiness programs, soft skills training and rehabilitation programs.
This year’s NDEAM theme, “Advancing Access and Equity,” emphasizes the importance of ensuring all people have an equal opportunity to contribute their skills and talents to the workforce. Although significant job gains have been made in recent years, many workers with disabilities still face higher unemployment rates. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in 2023, 22.5% of Americans with disabilities were employed — the highest ratio since data collection began in 2008. Yet, the unemployment rate for people with disabilities (7.2%) remains more than twice that of those without a disability (3.5%).
People with disabilities bring tremendous value to the workforce, often showing higher employee retention rates, which lead to lower hiring and training costs. By supporting inclusive hiring practices and providing resources for job readiness, Goodwill North Central Texas helps ensure that all Americans who want to work can do so and that they have access to the services that will enable them to succeed.
The origins of NDEAM date back to 1945, when Congress declared the first week of October “National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week.” It became a month-long event in 1988, under the name National Disability Employment Awareness Month, continuing the mission to highlight the importance of inclusive policies and practices in the workplace.
Goodwill North Central Texas is proud to celebrate NDEAM and remain committed to creating a more inclusive workforce for people of all abilities.