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National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM)

Disability: Part of the Equity Equation

Metropolitan Community College is proud to support National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). Held each October, NDEAM aims to educate about disability employment issues and celebrate the many and varied contributions of America's workers with disabilities. Throughout the month, we'll be engaging in a variety of activities to educate our community on disability employment issues and the role they play in fostering an equitable and inclusive work culture.

Upcoming Events

Tuesday, October 4

National Disability Employment Awareness Fair
Fort Omaha Campus, Building 23
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. CDT
In support of Disability Awareness Month come meet with potential employers from the community regarding employment opportunities. This will be a time to learn about working with individuals with disabilities and the organizations that serve them, as well as finding a career in the field. Employers attending the career fair are Ollie Webb, Mosaic, Vodec, Development Disability Center of Nebraska, and 360 Community Services

Tuesday, October 11

VIRTUAL FILM & DISCUSSION: Employment Barriers for Deaf People.
Judy Gouldsmith, Coordinator of Interpreter Services
1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. CDT
https://zoom.us/j/98047627638?pwd=OHc4dEw1blV1YzIxdVZJamIraUVlQT09.
Deaf people face many barriers in getting admitted to colleges, while at college, and in getting employment. Captioned videos with no voice over will be shown of deaf people sharing their experiences. Common misconceptions about deaf people will also be discussed.

Thursday, October 13

LECTURE: Assistive Technology and Employment
Brooke Harrie, ATP Program Supervisor
SOUTH OMAHA CAMPUS, CON 249/250
1:00 pm - 2:00 p.m. CDT
Join us to learn about the benefits of assistive technology for individuals with lifelong and temporary disabilities. ATP provides On-site assessments along with training for equipment. Explore assistive devices for employment, school etc.

Wednesday, October 19

VIRTUAL LECTURE: Disability & Leadership: Challenges and New Horizons
Workplace DEI - Employment Practices and Strategy
Neena Nizar, Founder & Executive Director of The Jansen’s Foundation, Project Coordinator at MCC
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. CDT
https://zoom.us/j/96537921659?pwd=cUNpL1BWTjFzNEZGYjBVdlRnRGczUT09
Meeting ID: 965 3792 1659
Passcode: 995052
Disability is a part of diversity, equity and inclusion, but often times a very minimal, or non-existent part of an organization’s DEI strategy. This session is designed to provide attendees with information, tips and resources on disability inclusion best practices. It will explore the intersection between leadership and disability and the need for a much more expansive definition of leadership that fits disabled people in the post-Covid world; a fresh reflection on how more flexible and open definitions of what constitutes 'leadership' might empower marginalized groups to take on formal decision-making roles.

 

During this session, attendees will:

  • Learn what extent are disabled people making progress in/with leadership roles.
  • Understand obstacles getting in the way of disabled people achieving and thriving in leadership roles.
  • Discover what people in positions of power and influence (business leaders and policymakers) could do to improve progress.
  • Ask themselves beyond the current Covid-19 pandemic, what might the term 'successful leadership' in the workplace comprise or mean for disabled people.

Thursday, October 20

WEBINAR: Barrier Breakers: A Celebration of Disability Employment (NDEAM)

by WeCo's Accessibility Team
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM CDT
REGISTER at Barrier Breakers: A Celebration of Disability Employment (NDEAM),
Meet professionals living with disabilities who've built successful careers and challenged traditional disability employment views!

Tuesday, October 25

National Disability Employment Awareness Fair
Elkhorn Valley Campus Commons
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM CDT
In support of Disability Employment Awareness Month, come meet with community resource organizations and potential employers. This will be a time to learn about working with individuals with disabilities and the organizations that support them with their employment goals. Community resource organizations attending the fair are Autism Action, Nebraska Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Nebraska Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Goodwill Industries, MCC Human Services department and more.

ACCOMMODATIONS: Audience members requiring accommodations due to a disability must contact an MCC Disability Support Services Counselor, dssc@mccneb.edu, 531-622-2208 at least two weeks prior to the event.
Access to the Zoom events is free & open to the public.
Contact dssc@mccneb.edu for more information.

Disability Employment Awareness Resources

The following points should be considered when working with students with a disability:

  • Students with disability may also be gifted and talented and/or have English as an additional language and/or dialect. In some instances, a student may require support in more than one element of diversity
  • Students with disability can achieve educational standards commensurate with their peers
  • Students with disability who require adjustment/s to one learning area may not require the same adjustment/s to another learning area
  • Not all students with a disability require adjustments to all dimensions of the curriculum
  • Students with the same category of disability do not always require the same adjustments
  • Students with disability may require different levels of adjustment over time to reach their potential
  • Ongoing formative assessment, particularly pre-assessment, is critical to ensure that learning area content and adjustments align with student needs.