Celebrating National Disability Employment Month 2025

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). The goal of NDEAM is to promote inclusive employment policies and highlight the importance of ensuring all Americans have equal opportunity to contribute their skills and talents to the workforce—including those with disabilities. 

Founded in 1945, NDEAM began as a weeklong observance dedicated to recognizing the contributions of people with disabilities in the workplace. Today, it’s a month-long national celebration administered by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP).  

This year marks the 80^th anniversary of the NDEAM, and this year’s theme, “Celebrating Value and Talent,” invites us to spotlight the contributions people with disabilities  bring to our workplaces, communities, and economy. 

OLS Bellevue College (OLS) students and alumni are proof that inclusion drives innovation, excellence, and belonging, and we remain committed to creating pathways where everyone can thrive. During NDEAM, we celebrate the incredible impact the disability community has made on the workforce and how education, supportive environments, and career preparation open doors to employment. 

Why Inclusion and Opportunity in Employment Matters 

The disability community remains underrepresented, faces higher unemployment rates, and often confronts implicit bias, a lack of access or accommodations, or limited support during transitions from education to work. 

Programs like OLS Bellevue College can help bridge that gap. By helping students build workforce readiness skills through our curriculum, we equip students for success in competitive, inclusive workplaces. We believe that every student deserves the chance to build a fulfilling career. 

How OLS Prepares Students With Disabilities for the Workforce 

Here’s how our program aligns with NDEAM’s goals and helps students transition into employment: 

Workplace Readiness & Skill Building 

From day one, OLS students engage in coursework and hands-on activities that mirror real work challenges. Students explore career pathways, practice communication and collaboration, and build problem-solving strategies. We offer mock interviews, workshops on workplace etiquette, and guided reflection on navigating workplace dynamics. 

Community-Based Experiences 

Learning beyond the classroom is a part of every OLS course. Our students engage in community service projects, partner with local organizations, and take on tasks that reflect work environments and allow students to apply what they are learning in the classroom, while building confidence and adaptability.

Career Exploration & Guidance 

Early in their time in our program, students identify careers they are interested in. We help them build skills to succeed in the workplace. We also help them understand what skills are in demand, what accommodations may support success, and how to advocate for themselves in a job setting. 

250+ Hour Internship 

Every OLS student completes an internship of at least 250 hours in a workplace relevant to their career goals—no two internships are the same at OLS. These internships allow them to get hands-on training in their career path, build their professional network, and transition from student to professional. 

The internship experience can play a pivotal role in helping students land jobs after graduation, demonstrating to employers their capabilities, adaptability, and work ethic. 

Celebrate NDEAM in October 

National Disability Employment Awareness Month helps center the voices of workers with disabilities, shines a light on systemic gaps, and amplifies a vision of inclusive workplaces. At OLS Bellevue College, we are proud to be part of that vision in action—nurturing talent, supporting growth, and helping our students step confidently into their careers. 

Join us as we celebrate the extraordinary talent of the disability community and commit to opening doors of opportunity for all.  

About Occupational & Life Skills Bellevue College 

Occupational & Life Skills Bellevue College (OLS) is an associate degree program for neurodiverse students with learning disabilities. In our uniquely supportive skills-based program, students apply academic knowledge through community activities, service learning, and social experiences. Students identify a career pathway, gain marketable, workplace-ready competencies, develop better interpersonal skills, and complete an internship in alignment with their career goals. 

Learn more about our program at an upcoming Information Session, open to all prospective students, family members/guardians, educators, counselors, and other service providers. Come learn why OLS Bellevue College is one of the best colleges for students with learning disabilities.