According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 41.1 million or 12.7% of the civilian noninstitutionalized population of the United States self-identify as people with disabilities. National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) is held each October to commemorate the many and varied contributions of people with disabilities to America’s workplaces and economy.
“People with disabilities want the same opportunities and ability to apply and secure employment as everyone,” said Kathy Lovell, disability services and outreach manager for Regions Bank.
The history of National Disability Employment Awareness Month traces back to 1945 when Congress enacted a law declaring the first week in October each year “National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week.” In 1962, the word “physically” was removed to acknowledge the employment needs and contributions of individuals with all types of disabilities. In 1988, Congress expanded the week to a month and changed the name to National Disability Employment Awareness Month.
“There are numerous benefits to hiring people with diverse abilities, and one is the adaptability quotient,” said Jeff Hodges, talent management program manager for Regions Bank. “People with disabilities, in many cases, are excellent at adapting to dysfunction in the world and have become experts at finding new ways of doing things, which has often led to universal designs that we all benefit from.”
Regions Bank recognizes National Disability Employment Awareness Month and the contributions of people with disabilities to make life better for our customers, our company and our communities.
- Regions Bank is recognized as a ‘Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion’, receiving a score of 100 on the 2021 Disability Equality Index®, the leading nonprofit resource for business disability inclusion worldwide.
- Regions’ President and CEO John Turner signed the Valuable 500 Pledge, an initiative of 500 companies across the globe committing to advance disability inclusion in the workplace.
- The Regions Foundation, a nonprofit initiative of Regions Bank that supports community investments, received the Inclusive Community Development Award from the Center for Disability-Inclusive Community Development.
- Regions Bank is committed to providing accessible products and services to all, both in person and online.
- Regions Bank celebrates differences, including the contributions of people with disabilities, through our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Center of Expertise.
