Disability Employment Awareness Month

Every October is Disability Employment Awareness Month (DEAM) and commemorates the contributions of people with disabilities to America’s workforce and economy. DEAM is an excellent time to celebrate workers with disabilities and learn more about how individuals from this highly talented group continue to enhance Florida’s workforce at all levels.

What fuels your workplace ambition?

Our Disability Employment Awareness Month theme is Fueling Workplace Ambition, demonstrating that people with disabilities are ambitious and have the knowledge and skills to be meaningful additions to the workforce. We look forward to seeing disability employment continue to expand in Florida. And what better way to start each workday than with a cup of tea, coffee or any beverage that fuels your ambition.

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT!

The Able Trust developed the tools on this Disability Employment Awareness Month webpage to make it easy to get involved with this annual celebration. We appreciate your help in sharing the great contributions Floridians with disabilities make to our workforce!

Spread the Word

  • Newsletter Article: Include an article in your company or organization’s newsletter introducing readers to Disability Employment Awareness Month and encouraging their support. To download a sample newsletter article – CLICK HERE.

  • Social Media:  Use your social media platforms to talk about the benefits of disability employment. CLICK HERE for tips you can share to help raise awareness. [See sample/suggested graphics options on the right and download the toolkit for sample social media messages.]
    Use the hashtags #NDEAM and #inclusiveflorida and be sure to tag The Able Trust on your social media platforms of choice.

      • Facebook/LinkedIn: @The Able Trust
      • Instagram/Twitter (X): @Abletrust

Learn More

  • WEBINAR WEDNESDAY SERIES

    If you missed any of the webinars, CLICK HERE to watch the online recording.

  • Sign up for The Able Trust communications so you don’t miss any important resources, research or information on how to get connected to talent from an important workforce pool. CLICK HERE
  • Follow The Able Trust on social media to learn about DEAM events, updates to our programs, our High School High Tech student successes, the latest data in disability employment and more.
    Facebook/LinkedIn: @The Able Trust
    Instagram/Twitter (X): @Abletrust
  • Watch the Collaborating to Make an Impact webinar from the 2022 DEAM Webinar Wednesday series to see how VyStar Credit Union is partnering with The Arc Jacksonville to employ and empower people with intellectual disabilities. CLICK HERE

Become a Leader

  • We would love to come and speak with your company or organization. CLICK HERE to invite us to speak.
  • Disability Mentoring Day is October 21. Participate in this nationwide effort to promote professional development for students with disabilities by sharing information on your business or industry. Contact Coleen Agner, High School High Tech State Director, at [email protected] to connect with the HSHT project coordinators in your area and invite their students to tour your business or organization.
  • Identify and develop a relationship with a referral agency that specializes in people with disabilities. CLICK HERE for a list of steps to get started with resources from the Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. Your local VR representatives are in touch with people with disabilities and can refer qualified candidates to you.

THANK YOU TO OUR
2023 DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT
AWARENESS MONTH SPONSORS

Espresso Enthusiast Sponsor

Disability Employment Awareness Month Kickoff Sponsor

Tea Trailblazer Sponsors

Cold Brew Believer Sponsors

Latte Leader Sponsors

Sign Up for our newsletter

Check out highlights from Disability Employment Awareness Month!

DEAM Highlights

Read the Op-Ed from
The Able Trust Board Member Doug Hilliard

Social Media Highlights

Thank you for showing your support and helping fuel our workplace ambition!

The Able Trust Board Member Stephanie Westerman at our Kickoff Event for 2023 Disability Employment Awareness Month in downtown Tampa.
Florida Center for Students with Unique Abilities: It's Wednesday and we could all use a little mid-week pick-me-up to help us finish out the week and the rest of #DisabilityEmploymentAwarenessMonth this month, where we have been #FuelingWorkplaceAmbition and spreading awareness about individuals with disabilities and their contributions in the workplace.
Madison County High School High Tech Club - is at Norris Café. October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month! Thank you to Norris Cafe for welcoming our students with open arms and providing them the opportunity to explore employability skills, such as customer service, teamwork, and communication skills. Our students had a great experience and enjoyed their time! #FloridaHSHT
Madison County High School High Tech Club - is at Norris Café. October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month! Thank you to Norris Cafe for welcoming our students with open arms and providing them the opportunity to explore employability skills, such as customer service, teamwork, and communication skills. Our students had a great experience and enjoyed their time! #FloridaHSHT
Limbitless celebrates National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). #NDEAM honors the achievements and contributions made by workers with disabilities and highlights inclusive practices in the workplace. Limbitless works closely with The Able Trust - an organization that promotes employment of Floridians with disabilities and supports disability employment stakeholders around the state. Consider visiting www.abletrust.org to learn more.
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Thank you
Disability Employment Awareness Month sponsors for your support!

At Elevate, Inc., we understand that it is of the utmost importance to support and include persons of all types of abilities in the workforce. Elevate, Inc. is pleased to support The Able Trust and their efforts to promote Disability Employment Month, as they ensure job seekers with disabilities gain access to contributing roles in Florida's workforce.
Aakash Patel, President Elevate, Inc.
A strong workforce is crucial to Florida’s economy and must include persons of all abilities. AIF is pleased to support The Able Trust and their efforts to promote Disability Employment Awareness and the importance of expanding disability employment in Florida.
Brewster B. Bevis, President & CEOAIF
Publix values and respects that we’re all individuals and our differences make each of us special. We strive to foster and grow a diverse workforce where all associates are represented, supported, and appreciated. By focusing on the abilities of our associates, we provide an overall sense of belonging and extension of the Publix family. We are proud to support The Able Trust and their efforts to promote Disability Employment Awareness Month, year-round, as we focus on accelerating disability employment in Florida.
Dwaine Stevens, Director of Community RelationsPublix Supermarkets
At Florida Blue, we have long understood that all team members, including team members with disabilities, bring skills and talent to the workplace. During Disability Employment Awareness Month and year-round Florida Blue is pleased to support efforts to drive inclusion for everyone, including people with disabilities in partnership with The Able Trust, accelerating disability employment in Florida.
Florida Blue
At Monin, we celebrate diverse talents and perspectives, providing equal opportunities and accommodations for persons with disabilities. We proudly support Able Trust and their commendable efforts in raising awareness about disability employment in Florida.
Megan Meiers, SHRM-CPMonin
At FloridaMakes, we take pride in endorsing The Able Trust and its commendable efforts to facilitate the integration of job seekers with disabilities into our dynamic team. Embracing diversity and inclusion, we believe that empowering individuals with disabilities not only enriches our workplace but also contributes to a stronger, more resilient organization.
Marcelo Dossantos, Director of Workforce Development.FloridaMakes
As community leaders, it is essential that we continue to promote that a successful workforce is one that includes persons of all abilities. Pepin Family Foundation is proud to support The Able Trust and their efforts to accelerate disability employment in our state workforce during Disability Employment Awareness Month and year-round.
Tina Pepin, Executive DirectorThe Pepin Family Foundation
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Grab one of the graphics below to use in social media:

Share Your Story

  • Share your story of inclusion and experience hiring persons with disabilities with us so we can include your story in our growing catalog of best practices. CLICK HERE to contact us.

Issue a Proclamation of Support

  • If you are a Florida county or city interested in issuing a Proclamation in support of Disability Employment Awareness Month, start with our Proclamation Template and customize with your information. CLICK HERE to access the template.