Every October, we celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) to recognize the talents, perspectives, and loyalty that employees with disabilities bring to the workforce. For me, as an attorney, disability rights advocate, and quadriplegic, NDEAM is personal. Living with a spinal cord injury, I’ve seen firsthand how accessibility transforms businesses and lives.
Employment is more than a paycheck. It's about independence, dignity, and having a seat at the table where decisions are made. Earlier this summer, I was honored to be named to the first Forbes Accessibility 100 list, a recognition that reflects not just my advocacy but the collective work happening across organizations to advance accessibility and employment.
Why NDEAM matters
NDEAM is a reminder that accessibility is a competitive advantage. This year, the Department of Labor marks the 80th anniversary of NDEAM with the theme: “Celebrating Value and Talent.” When businesses remove barriers, they gain loyal, talented employees who drive innovation and strengthen teams.
- A 2023 study by Accenture and Disability:In found that companies leading in disability inclusion achieved 1.6x more revenue, 2x more economic profit, and 2.6x more net income than peers. They were also 25% more productive by revenue per employee.
- Workers with disabilities are among the most brand-loyal employees, staying longer and contributing to stronger team cultures compared to employees without disabilities.
Yet too many companies still miss out on this incredible talent pool because of preventable barriers. These gaps are not due to lack of talent or desire—they’re due to systemic barriers.
I frequently hear businesses concerned with the costs of accommodation; however an employer survey by the Job Accommodation Network (JAN) found that 61% of accommodations cost nothing. When there was a cost, the median one-time expense was just $300. In return, businesses retain valuable employees, improve productivity, and boost morale.
Accessibility in action
NDEAM is a call for businesses to recognize that accessibility is not a box to check—it’s a growth strategy.At accessiBe, we practice what we preach. Our nonprofit partnership team includes professionals with disabilities and now supports 700+ organizations worldwide.
Our accessLabs team, which includes usability analysts with disabilities and works alongside our Product, Design, and Professional Services teams, tests products with real assistive technologies. Their lived experience uncovers issues AI alone can’t detect, ensuring our solutions go beyond compliance to deliver true usability.
Through my nonprofit, SPINALpedia, and my role at accessiBe, I mentor individuals navigating the path to employment, and I work with employers to understand how accessibility opens doors and widens opportunity.
What businesses gain
When companies embrace accessibility, they gain:
- Expanded talent pool: Over 1 billion people worldwide live with a disability.
- Retention & loyalty: Employees with disabilities are among the most dedicated and long-serving workers.
- Innovation: Different lived experiences fuel fresh perspectives and better products.
- Reputation & culture: Accessibility signals care, builds trust, and strengthens workplace culture.
How to take action during NDEAM
If you’re wondering how to participate in NDEAM, here are a few ways to take meaningful action:
- Review policies and company training to ensure they drive a commitment to accessibility.
- Make hiring accessible by ensuring your job postings and career pages are accessible to assistive technology. You can leverage accessiBe’s solutions to identify and remediate digital barriers.
- Engage with community organizations like your local Center for Independent Living to connect with talented candidates and best practices. [If you’d like help identifying nonprofits in your area specializing in disability employment, email us here: [email protected].
- Highlight employee stories or offer a speaking opportunity to celebrate contributions and build awareness. Through my work with SPINALpedia and accessiBe, I mentor individuals navigating the path to employment, and I help employers understand how accessibility opens doors. You can reach out to me at [email protected] for more information.
Moving forward
While we always appreciate involvement and advocacy, celebrating NDEAM isn’t enough — accessibility is the real bare minimum. When organizations build accessibility into how they recruit, onboard, collaborate, and grow, it changes lives - and everyone wins.
