National Disability Employment Awareness Month is an annual awareness campaign that takes place each October. The purpose of National Disability Employment Awareness Month is to educate about disability employment issues and celebrate the many and varied contributions of America’s workers with disabilities.

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 all have a role to play in — and benefit to gain from — increasing opportunities for meaningful employment for people with disabilities. This year’s theme encapsulates this in three powerful words. It conveys that advancing disability employment is about much more than just hiring. It’s about creating a continuum of inclusion. And the first step on this continuum is expectation,” said Kathy Martinez, assistant secretary of labor for disability employment policy when announcing this year’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month theme, which is “Expect. Employ. Empower.”

For more than 50 years, Eggleston Services has been dedicated to educating, training and employing individuals with disabilities. Our goal is to help people obtain meaningful work opportunities and participate fully in their communities.

We help individuals with disabilities gain independence, confidence and increased feelings of self-worth through on-the-job training and stable, rewarding work opportunities.

When Eggleston Services opened in 1955 as the Tidewater Vocational Center, we served only five individuals with disabilities. Today, we serve hundreds through 33 programs and 16 locations, and our services expand every year.

We continue to grow our services through partnerships with businesses and government institutions, offering our participants the chance to earn a living and lead full and independent lives. If you’re interested in a partnership with Eggleston Services, we encourage you to give us a call at (757) 858-8011.

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 the ODEP website at www.dol.gov/odep/

Eggleston is proud to celebrate and participate in National Philanthropy Day which will be recognized with an award luncheon on Nov. 12 at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott. The event highlights outstanding philathropic efforts by those in the Hampton Roads community. For more information visit www.afp-hr.org