Disability Employment Awareness Month

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), a time to recognize the contributions people with disabilities make in the workplace and to promote greater opportunities for meaningful employment.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s 2026 NDEAM theme is “Celebrating Value and Talent.” The theme recognizes the skills, abilities, and contributions people with disabilities bring to America’s workplaces, communities, and economy.

NDEAM is also a great time for families to think about what employment could look like for their child or young adult and how they can begin preparing for that future.

Start Planning Early

Employment planning doesn’t have to wait until graduation.

For children and youth with disabilities, conversations about future employment can begin while they are still in school. Career exploration, volunteer experiences, job shadowing, internships, work-based learning, and learning everyday workplace skills can help young people discover their interests and strengths.

Every person’s path will look different. Some individuals may attend college or technical school. Others may begin working after high school, participate in job training, or need ongoing employment supports. What matters is helping each person identify their interests, strengths, goals, and the supports they may need to succeed.

What Does Your Child Want for Their Future?

A good place to start is with the individual.

Ask questions such as:

• What activities or subjects do you enjoy?
• What are you good at?
• What kinds of jobs interest you?
• What type of work environment helps you be successful?
• What support or accommodations might help you at work?

These conversations can help young people become active participants in planning for their future.

How the Utah Parent Center Can Help

At the Utah Parent Center (UPC), we help families understand the transition from school to adulthood, including planning for employment.

Our Parent Consultants can help families learn about employment-related resources and services and understand how employment goals can become part of transition planning.

UPC provides information and resources related to:

• Career exploration
• Workplace readiness and job skills
• Resume building
• Self-advocacy
• Workplace accommodations
• Disability disclosure
• Vocational Rehabilitation services
• Employment preparation and support
• Transition planning for life after high school

Our Transition University also helps families learn about important areas of adult life, including education, employment, and independent living.

The goal isn’t to tell a young person what career they should choose. Instead, we help families learn about options and resources so young people can have a voice in planning their own future.

Employment Is About More Than a Paycheck

Having a job can provide more than income. Employment can help people build skills, develop relationships, contribute to their communities, gain independence, and experience the satisfaction of doing meaningful work.

For individuals with disabilities, finding the right employment opportunity may sometimes require additional planning or support. Learning about accommodations, benefits, and available services can help families understand what resources may be available.

Employers Have a Role, Too

Creating an inclusive workforce isn’t only a family responsibility. Employers can help make employment opportunities more accessible to people with disabilities.

NDEAM is a good time for businesses and organizations to look at their hiring and workplace practices. Employers can make application processes accessible, learn about reasonable accommodations, provide disability awareness training, and focus on an individual’s skills and qualifications rather than assumptions about disability.

An inclusive workplace recognizes that employees bring different strengths, experiences, and ways of working.

Employment Resources for Families

Families don’t have to navigate employment planning alone. These resources can help youth and adults with disabilities explore employment, build skills, and understand available supports.

Utah Independent Living Center (UILC)
Helps people with disabilities build independence and develop skills for participating more fully in their communities, including self-advocacy, independent living, and employment-related skills.

Utah Independent Living Center

Utah Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)
Helps eligible individuals with disabilities prepare for, find, and maintain employment. Services may include career exploration, training, job preparation, and support for students transitioning from school to work.

Utah Vocational Rehabilitation

Utah State Employment Pathways
Provides information about employment opportunities with the State of Utah, including the Alternative State Application Program and paid Work Ability Internship opportunities for eligible individuals with disabilities.

Explore State Employment Pathways

Utah Work Incentive Planning Services (UWIPS)
Helps people receiving SSI or SSDI understand how working and earning income may affect their benefits and other supports. Benefits specialists explain work incentives and help individuals make informed decisions about employment.

Learn more about UWIPS

Social Security Ticket to Work
Provides eligible people with disabilities ages 18–64 who receive Social Security disability benefits with free employment support to help them prepare for, find, and maintain work.

Learn more about Ticket to Work

Keep the Conversation Going

NDEAM may be celebrated in October, but employment planning happens year-round.

For families, that might mean helping a young person explore a career interest, practice workplace skills, build a resume, or learn more about employment services.

For young adults, it can mean speaking up about their goals and identifying the supports that will help them succeed.

At the Utah Parent Center, we believe every young person should have the opportunity to explore their strengths, develop their skills, and build a future that reflects their own goals and interests.

This October, let’s celebrate the value and talent people with disabilities bring to our workplaces and continue working together to create meaningful opportunities for everyone.