During last week’s San Juan County Council meeting, a proclamation was issued recognizing October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month.
This proclamation celebrates the value and talent that workers with disabilities add to our workplaces and economy.
NDEAM is an opportunity to pay tribute to the accomplishments of the people with disabilities whose work helps keep our County, our State, and our country’s economies strong. This year’s official theme is “Access to Good Jobs for All.”
A Brief History
This effort to educate the public about the issues related to disability and employment began in 1945, when Congress enacted Public Law 176, declaring the first week of October each year as National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week. In 1962, the word “physically” was removed to acknowledge the employment needs and contributions of individuals with all types of disabilities. About 25 years later, Congress expanded the week to a month and changed the name to National Disability Employment Awareness Month.
Learn more about NDEAM here: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/odep/initiatives/ndeam
Equal Opportunity and Inclusivity Efforts in San Juan County
In June of 2024, the San Juan County Council adopted the County’s Equal Employment Opportunity Plan. The plan notes that a central goal of the County’s diversity efforts is for the County workforce to reflect the qualified members of the overall County population. Reaching this goal involves providing the qualified members of underserved County populations equal opportunities to gain and retain employment with the County in their fields of work.
In April of 2024, San Juan County hired a consultant to lead the organization in diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging work. The County contracted for a two-year, four-phased approach to implementing data-driven and human-centered workplace inclusion solutions. During a special Council meeting on Aug. 28, County staff and councilmembers reviewed findings from the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Survey and related focus groups. A copy of the data can be found: https://www.sanjuancountywa.gov/2086/Diversity-Equity-Inclusion-Belonging.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging remains a focus for County Council and County leadership and is recognized as an important factor in County recruitment efforts. Continued awareness and sensitivity to a diverse workforce is necessary in order to best serve County residents and recruit and retain a quality workforce both now and in the future.
San Juan County encourages all residents to learn about National Disability Employment Awareness Month, engage in conversations with friends and neighbors, and patron businesses that support inclusive hiring practices in an effort to reaffirm “Access to Good Jobs for All.”
