The U of A's 2025 National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) celebrations feature free webinars, a Disability Resource Fair and the fourth annual Disability Awareness Awards ceremony on Oct. 29.

Each October, the university celebrates National Disability Employment Awareness Month. This annual observance started 80 years ago as a federal week of recognition that encouraged employers to hire people with disabilities and has evolved over time to become a larger celebration of the contributions of individuals with disabilities to our workplaces, communities and our shared culture.

The National Disability Employment Awareness Month will be observed at the university with a series of events aimed at educating our community and celebrating people in our community who have worked to promote respect, accommodation and accessibility.

This year's NDEAM theme is "Celebrating Value and Talent," and the Office of Accommodation and Accessibility Services within the Department of Equal Opportunity, Compliance and Title IX, in collaboration with the Center for Educational Access, will engage the campus in a variety of activities to educate the participants on disability-related issues and U of A's commitment to accessibility and inclusivity.

Events will include a series of accessibility and disability related webinars hosted by OEOC staff and the College of Education and Health Profession's Partners program. Additionally, the CEA and community partners will host the Disability Awareness Fair on Oct. 28. The National Disability Employment Awareness Month celebration at the university will conclude with a Disability Awareness Awards ceremony on Oct. 29. Some events require registration. See below for registration information and links to those events.

To nominate someone for a Disability Awareness Award, please submit your nomination online by Friday, Oct. 6.

Schedule

Oct. 2: Webinar — presented by the U of A Partners program — Grounded Practice: Guiding Principles for Making Decisions About Access and Accommodations. 10-11:30 a.m. (Central). Information and registration link.

Oct. 15: Webinar — presented by the OEOC - Accommodations and Accessibility Services — Making In-Person and Virtual Events Accessible. 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Registration link.

Oct. 21: Webinar — presented by the U of A Partners program — Introduction to MS PowerPoint Accessibility. 10-11:30 a.m. (Central). Information and registration link.

Oct. 22: Webinar — presented by the Randi Turner with Disability Rights Texas and hosted by OEOC - Accommodations and Accessibility Services — Disclosing Disability: When, Why and How?. Noon to 1 p.m. Registration link.

Oct. 28: Disability Awareness Month Community Resource Fair — Center for Educational Access (CEA) in collaboration with SOURCES for Community Independent Living, event from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. ARKU International Connections Lounge.

Oct. 29: The 2025 U of A Disability Awareness Awards at ARKU 507-509, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The awards ceremony will open with remarks from Ann Bordelon, executive vice chancellor for finance and administration. Please email OEOC-Accommodation and Accessibility Services if you would like to attend this awards event: access@uark.edu.