Annapolis, MD (October 7, 2022) — County Executive Steuart Pittman and the Anne Arundel County Department of Aging and Disabilities today announced their participation in National Disability Employment Awareness Month, an annual awareness campaign that takes place each October. The purpose of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) is to educate about disability employment issues and celebrate the many and varied contributions of America's workers with disabilities. The theme for NDEAM 2022, "Disability: Part of the Equity Equation," recognizes the vital role people with disabilities play in making the nation's workforce diverse and inclusive.
"A healthy workforce is an empowered workforce," said County Executive Pittman. "We are aware of the challenges that individuals with disabilities face and will continue to invest in mechanisms that increase equity and outcomes for these valuable members of our community.”
The history of National Disability Employment Awareness Month traces back to 1945 when Congress enacted a law declaring the first week in October each year "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. In 1988, Congress expanded the week to a month and changed the name to National Disability Employment Awareness Month.
“We are proud to be a part of this year's National Disability Employment Awareness Month," said Karrisa Kelly, director, Department of Aging and Disabilities, "We value the contributions and achievements of individuals with disabilities and are committed to supporting programs that help individuals with disabilities live and work independently."
The Department of Aging and Disabilities strives to educate the community on disability employment issues and is committed to inclusive work culture.
The Commission on Disability Issues and the Department of Aging and Disabilities will celebrate Disability Awareness Day on October 22, 2022 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Westfield Annapolis Mall. Disability Awareness Day is an opportunity to publicly acknowledge and honor the many contributions individuals with disabilities make to our community every day. The Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion has also created a webpage (
Employers and employees in all industries can learn more about how to participate in National Disability Employment Awareness Month and ways they can promote its messages — during October and throughout the year — by visiting www.dol.gov/NDEAM.