National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) 

The NDEAM 2026 PR Kit is now available!

Skills Grow Economies. Disability Inclusion Fuels the Growth. 

Every October, Canadians come together to recognize the contributions of people who have a disability and advance disability inclusion in employment. It’s an opportunity to celebrate talent and take action to build stronger, more disability inclusive workplaces and communities. 

Our 2026 theme, Skills Grow Economies. Disability Inclusion Fuels the Growth, focuses on the skills already available in Canada’s workforce and the role disability inclusion can play in helping businesses access talent, strengthen performance, and grow. 

Why NDEAM Matters 

 

Canadian businesses are looking for skilled talent. 63% of employers identify skills gaps as the biggest barrier to business transformation between 2025 and 2030 (World Economic Forum, 2025). 

At the same time, valuable skills are being underutilized:

  • More than 741,000 Canadians who have a disability had the potential to work but were not employed (Statistics Canada, 2024) 
  • Nearly 1 in 3 employed people who have a disability were overqualified for their jobs (Statistics Canada) 
  • 71% of employers not hiring people who have a disability cite a lack of awareness of their skills (CCRW, 2017) 

The challenge isn’t necessarily a lack of talent. It’s recognizing the skills that are already here. 

The business case is clear. Disability inclusive companies report 2.6x more net income, 1.6x more revenue, and 25% higher productivity (Accenture, 2023). Inclusive organizations also report 8x stronger outcomes in innovation, retention, and customer service (Deloitte, 2023). 

This NDEAM, we’re encouraging employers to take a closer look at how talent is identified, developed, and retained. 

 

 

2026 NDEAM PR Toolkit — Available Now!

The NDEAM PR Toolkit includes ready-to-use resources to help you participate throughout October, including social media graphics, a daily content calendar, 7 Tips sheets, Quick Facts & Key Messages, and campaign materials. 

Whether you’re engaging your workplace, connecting with employers, or starting conversations in your community, these resources can help you share the messages of NDEAM. 

Light It Up for NDEAM!

On Thursday, October 15th, 2025, landmarks, buildings and businesses across Canada will shine purple and blue for Light It Up! for NDEAM™. This national movement brings awareness to disability employment inclusion.

You can participate by:

    • Requesting a local landmark to light purple and blue

    • Encouraging your staff to wear purple and blue

    • Sharing photos online with #LightItUpForNDEAM

How You Can Get Involved 

A young man with a developmental disability is dressed in a grocer's apron and grocery store uniform. He's smiling proudly and confidently at the camera, with his arms crossed. In the slightly blurred background is the produce section of a grocery store.

NDEAM brings together businesses, Employment Service Providers, municipalities, and community organizations. There are many ways to take part, start conversations, and bring the campaign to your network. 

For Businesses 

  • Bring NDEAM into your workplace through team messages, events, and campaign resources
  • Join ODEN’s NDEAM business events to learn practical approaches to disability inclusive hiring, accommodation, and retention 
  • Share how your organization is recognizing skills and advancing disability inclusion using #SkillsGrowEconomies and #NDEAM2026 

For Employment Service Providers 

  • Engage local employers in conversations about skills, talent, and disability inclusion 
  • Share disability inclusive employment success stories from your community 
  • Share NDEAM resources and events with your employer and community networks 

For Municipalities & Community Organizations

  • Proclaim October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month in your community 
  • Share NDEAM resources and events with local businesses, chambers of commerce, BIAs, and community networks 
  • Encourage employers in your community to participate in NDEAM 
  • Share local participation and stories using #SkillsGrowEconomies, #NDEAM2026, and #LightItUpForNDEAM 

Skills Grow Economies. Disability Inclusion Fuels the Growth. 

This October, join organizations and communities across Canada in recognizing skills, expanding opportunities, and advancing disability inclusive employment. 

#SkillsGrowEconomies #NDEAM2026 #DEAM2026 #EngageTalent 

NDEAM 2026 Mayoral Proclamations

Mayoral proclamations recognizing October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month help raise awareness of and celebrate the valuable contributions people who have a disability make to businesses, workplaces, and communities. They also add strength to the call for all businesses in all communities to be strategic and intentional about inclusive hiring. 

If you have a Mayoral proclamation/recognition of NDEAM in your community that you’d like us to share and highlight, send us a copy. We’ll showcase it on our 2026 NDEAM Mayoral Proclamations page (coming soon). 

Questions about NDEAM?

For more information about National Disability Employment Awareness Month and our annual NDEAM campaign, contact Pawrnaa Perinpanayagam, Communications Strategist.

Email:  pperinpagayam@odenetwork.com

Office phone: 1-866-280-6336 ext. 118