“Access to good jobs for all” is the theme of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) 2024. This October, we celebrate the contributions of workers with disabilities while advocating for equal employment opportunities. NDEAM is a reminder that providing access to quality jobs is not just a goal, but a fundamental human right. As we celebrate NDEAM, let’s consider how we can collaborate to create more rewarding work opportunities with good wages and benefits for individuals with disabilities. Removing barriers to quality jobs is key to building a more inclusive and prosperous society for all.
Blog
Barriers to Employment: Conclusions
Our series on the barriers to employment for people with disabilities wraps up with key takeaways and a hopeful outlook. Barriers still exist, like information gaps and outdated perceptions. However, there are things we can do to create more inclusive employment opportunities. As 2025 approaches, we invite you to review what we’ve shared and consider how advocates, lawmakers, and employers alike can create a workforce that values and includes everyone.
Thank You, Kandiyohi County Fair!
MCD extends its heartfelt gratitude to everyone involved in making our presence at the Kandiyohi County Fair a success. To all the fair visitors who stopped by our booth: thank you for sharing your stories, regardless of how difficult some may have been to share. We are committed to assisting you in improving access and inclusion in Willmar and all of rural Minnesota. It’s inspiring to see awareness turned into action, as with the fair’s multi-year project to improve accessibility on the grounds.
Disability Pride – Diego Ozuna-Clark
MCD continues to celebrate Disability Pride Month. Diego Ozuna-Clark shares their powerful journey of embracing Deaf identity and discovering Disability Pride. From struggling with societal expectations to challenging internal ableism, Diego’s story highlights the richness of Deaf communities and the importance of Disability Pride in challenging societal norms. Diego’s experience reminds us that disability is a natural part of human diversity.
ADA Guidelines: The Floor, Not the Ceiling
This July, as we celebrate the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), MCD challenges you to think beyond the checkbox of ADA standards. While these guidelines provide a crucial starting point, true accessibility demands more. Join us in setting a new standard for accessibility —from public buildings to parks and playgrounds. Let’s celebrate the ADA’s legacy by going beyond its basic requirements, creating environments that are not just legally compliant, but genuinely inclusive and usable for all.
25 Days of the ADA: Looking Back and Looking Forward
In 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ushered in a new era of equal opportunity and access for millions. Today, as we revisit our “25 Days of the ADA” series, we’re reminded that this legislation isn’t just a piece of history—it’s a living, breathing force that continues to shape our world. The ADA’s impact Continue Reading 25 Days of the ADA: Looking Back and Looking Forward