Two people using wheelchairs wearing black work uniforms pose with a man with down syndrome between them who is dressed in work attire. All are smiling for the camera.

National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) Calendar of Events

October is National Disability Employment Disability Awareness Month (NDEAM).  Although the work to support individuals to obtain and maintain competitive integrated employment continues throughout the year, NDEAM presents an opportunity to recognize, celebrate, and confirm our commitment to ensuring individuals with disability have access to employment opportunities.  In recognition of NDEAM, the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) is highlighting the many NDEAM and other employment related events happening across the Commonwealth this October.  Please note this list is not exhaustive, and there may be other events happening in your local community. A Word document version of this calendar can be downloaded here.

DateTimeTitleDescription of Session/SummaryAudience
10/1/20248:00 AM – 12:00 PM (AM Session for Job Seekers)   12:30 PM – 4:00 PM (PM Session for Employers)Day of Learning about Disability Employment for National Disability Employment MonthJoin PA ABLE for a day of online learning. PA ABLE and guests will provide information and examples of how employers and individuals with disabilities can, and do, work together for successful outcomes.AM Session- Individuals and Families   PM Session- Employers
10/2/20245:30 PM – 7:00 PMODP Policy Team Virtual Office Hours (VOH) for Individuals and Families: Celebrating National Employment Disability Awareness Month in Collaboration with the Office of Vocational RehabilitationODP is offering another evening opportunity specifically for individuals and families to have a virtual conversation with ODP on policy related topics.  Since October is National Disability Awareness Employment Month, this session will focus on employment services available to individuals. OVR will be joining the conversation with ODP and stakeholders on the opportunities for individuals to discover, obtain, and maintain meaningful competitive integrated employment in their community.Individuals and Families
10/3/20242:00 PM – 3:00 PMWIPA Overview: Helping Social Security beneficiaries through Benefits CounselingThis session offers an overview of Work Incentive Planning and Assistance (WIPA) program. We will learn more about the how WIPA helps beneficiaries manage their benefits while working. We will discuss the eligibility criteria, who we serve, differences between SSI and SSDI and how to get referred to the program to get free benefits counseling.All Stakeholders
10/4/202411:00 AM –12:00 PMMilestone HCQU West: Self Advocate Entrepreneur Series*   Call or email to register: 724-283-0990;   Jshotts@milestonepa.org     *This is part of a series of events with additional events scheduled for 2024 and 2025.Do you know of someone with intellectual disabilities (ID) that owns and runs their own company? Did you ever wonder how they started? How did they decide on what business to create? Did they receive any help? Milestone HCQU West is delighted to host these business owners who will share their experiences of being a business owner and answer any questions. Attend online or in-person at the Milestone HCQU West office. Those attending in-person will have the opportunity to share refreshments and discussion. The guest speakers will be joining us virtually.  All Stakeholders  
10/4/2024TBALackawanna/Susquehanna- Employment Awareness EventJoin the Lackawanna/Susquehanna Employment Coalition and other community partners for an Employment Awareness Event during Scranton’s “First Friday.”   For more information, please contact Alex Groysman at Groysmana@lsbhidei.org  All Stakeholders
10/9/202411:30 AM- 1:00 PMARC of Chester County: Navigating Transition and the Role of the Office of Vocational RehabilitationThis FREE webinar is part of the Fall 2024 Chat-n-Chew Speaker Series hosted by The Arc of Chester County. Angelica Webster, Early Reach Coordinator at OVR will highlight employment transition services available for youth with disabilities transitioning from school to employment. Everyone is welcome!All Stakeholders
10/10/202410:00 AM – 11:00 AM Lancaster Disability Employment Recognition EventOctober is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). Join the Lancaster Employment Coalition in celebrating the many and varied contributions of workers with disabilities and promoting employment of individuals with disabilities.  Honoring employees with disabilities who have shown outstanding accomplishments and employers who display exceptional support. Awards being given for the following categories: Employee of the Year Award; Newcomer Award; Progress Award; Employer of the Year Award; and Employment Specialist Award. *RSVP by October 7thAll Stakeholders
10/10/20249:00 AM – 4 PMArc Human Services and Capital Area Employment 1st Coalition: Job Fair and Resource Symposium Join us for a day filled with opportunities! This conference is for employers, business owners, people with disabilities, their family members, and everyone interested in competitive integrated employment. Meet with community organizations sharing resources on supports and services, attend an afternoon job fair to meet employers and interview for a new job, and have the opportunity to hear from the following presenters: Office of Developmental Programs; Office of Vocational Rehabilitation; ACHIEVA; Pa Family Network; PA Able; and more!All Stakeholders
10/16/2024 – 10/17/2024 and 10/18/20249:00 AM – 3:00 PM 9:00 – 1:00 PM19th Annual 2024 Career & Transition Fair; Commonwealth Technical Institute at the Hiram G. Andrews Center  The Commonwealth Technical Institute at the Hiram G. Andrews Center invites you, your staff, students, and parents to attend the Nineteenth Annual Career and Transition Fair, being held October 16-18, 2024, in honor of National Disability Employment Awareness Month. By attending this event, you will learn about the Commonwealth Technical Institute’s post-secondary career and technology training programs. You will also gain valuable information about the Hiram G. Andrews Center’s comprehensive rehabilitation programs including Student Affairs and Transition Programs. As part of your visit, you will be provided with a 45-minute tour of the campus including classroom, training, residential and recreational areas.All Stakeholders
10/21/20246:00 PM – 6:45 PMThe Arc of Pennsylvania: Transition Webinar- Why Should I work with OVR? What services do they provide for transition aged students.Join the Include Me team for part two of a three part series on transition. This is a virtual webinar series will discuss transitioning from school to adulthood for people with disabilities.Transition-aged youth and families.
10/22/202412:00 PM – 12:45 PMThe Arc of Pennsylvania: Transition Webinar- Why Should I work with OVR? What services do they provide for transition aged studentsJoin the Include Me team for part two of a three part series on transition! This is a virtual webinar (Zoom) series where we will discuss transitioning from school to adulthood for people with disabilities. This webinar session will cover supports coordination and how it can help a person get access to essential services once they’ve graduated from school. We are offering two dates on this topic. Join us on 9/23 6:00 – 6:45 PM or 9/24 12:00 – 12:45 PM.  Transition-aged youth and families.
10/22/20249:00 AM – 1:00 PMCareers of Tomorrow Student ExpoThe Montgomery County Commerce Department and Montgomery County Workforce Development Board are proud to announce the Careers of Tomorrow Student Expo on October 22, 2024. The multi-industry career expo is once again being held at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, PA. This half-day event is focused on career-awareness and exploration for students in grades 8 through 12 along with parents and educators. There will be opportunities for hands-on activities, demonstrations, and networking with industry representatives on ways to pursue careers in a specific industry, what skills employers are looking for, the type of education or experience needed to enter that field, and any internship or job shadowing opportunities they may have available. If you have any questions about the event, please contact Melinda by email at Melinda.Onchitta@montgomerycountypa.gov.  Students grades 8 – 12 and families
10/25/202411:00 AM – 12:00 PM  Access to Good Jobs for All: National Disability Employment Awareness Month, Employment First, and the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP)  October marks National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), a time to celebrate and promote inclusive work environments. Join the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) for an insightful discussion on the history of NDEAM, the Employment First movement, and Pennsylvania’s commitment to advancing inclusive employment opportunities. Discover how Employment First has shaped ODP’s evolving supports and services, empowering individuals with disabilities to secure and sustain competitive, integrated employment, and supporting access to good jobs for everyone.  All Stakeholders  
10/26/204N/ADisability Mentoring DayObserved on the 3rd Wednesday of October, Disability Mentoring Day (DMD) is a large-scale national effort coordinated by American Association for People with Disabilities (AAPD) to promote career development for students and job-seekers with disabilities through career exploration and ongoing mentoring relationships.  All Stakeholders
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