Leaders address National Disability Employment Awareness Month

  • Published
  • By Lauren Russell
  • 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs

HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – Col. Katrina Stephens, installation commander, and Chief Master Sgt. William Hebb, installation command chief, recognized National Disability Employment Awareness Month during a video message to the workforce Sept. 30.

Held each October, the annual observance celebrates the contributions of America’s disabled workers, while highlighting issues surrounding employment.

“This is an opportunity to spread the important message that we value all contributions and perspectives,” said Stephens.

The 2020 theme is “Increasing Access and Opportunity.” This year is also the 75th observance of NDEAM, and the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

“The landmark legislation was designed to ensure a more inclusive America where every person has the right to participate in all aspects of our society, including employment,” said Hebb.

Officials will push out a variety of resources to educate the community on disability employment and reasonable accommodations to continue fostering an inclusive work culture.

“Reasonable accommodations are adjustments to the workplace that are crucial to enabling an individual with disabilities to enjoy equal benefits and privileges of employment,” said Jan Krohn, Hanscom’s Disability Program manager.

For more information on NDEAM, contact Bethanie Gonsalves at bethanie.gonsalves@us.af.mil.

For information regarding disability employment and hiring, contact jan.krohn@us.af.mil.