Putting Inclusion to Work: National Disability Employment Awareness Month
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM)—a time to celebrate the contributions of workers with disabilities and to advance inclusive employment practices that move beyond awareness into meaningful action. Even though progress has been made, people with disabilities continue to face significant barriers to employment.
According to the 2024 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, only about 22% of people with disabilities are employed, compared to 65% of people without disabilities. The unemployment rate for people with disabilities is roughly double that of others, and many are underemployed in part-time or low-wage positions.
The challenge isn’t a lack of talent or desire, but a lack of opportunity. By investing in accessibility, equitable compensation, and inclusive hiring practices, organizations can create the conditions where everyone can contribute—and in doing so, they enhance their own innovation and culture.
At Centered Resources, our work is guided by a simple belief:
“Every person has the right to pursue a career that is meaningful to them—and to be compensated fairly for the skills and proficiency they bring to their role.”
We’ve built a business model that values nontraditional work roles and adaptive employment structures because meaningful contribution doesn’t always fit inside a 9-to-5 box. This approach supports professionals who may need flexibility for disability-related priorities, caregiving, or work-life balance, and it honors the idea that excellence and professional engagement look different for everyone.
Another key component of our business model is a commitment to competitive employment. Competitive employment ensures that people with disabilities have access to the same standards of dignity, compensation, and belonging as anyone else in the workforce. It envisions employment as an equal partnership built on contribution and respect.
When organizations prioritize inclusive employment, they:
Affirm that people with disabilities bring essential skills and insights.
Align their policies and practices with their stated commitments to equity and inclusion.
Benefit from the creativity, resilience, and innovation that diverse teams naturally bring.
As we honor National Disability Employment Awareness Month, we invite businesses, nonprofits, healthcare organizations, and faith communities to take the next step of designing workplaces that are accessible for everyone.
Ready to explore what that looks like for your organization? Use our free Snapshot to assess your workplace culture around inclusive employment practices.
