October 2024 marks the 79th annual National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), a time to honor the significant contributions of people with disabilities to our workforce and economy. This year’s theme “Access to Good Jobs for All,” emphasizes the need to ensure that everyone, including individuals with disabilities, has access to quality employment opportunities that fully recognize their talents, skills, and potential.
At Old Dominion University, we are deeply committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community. Our Core Values—accessibility, inclusion, innovation, and respect—guide our efforts to support and empower individuals of all abilities.
- Accessibility is a cornerstone of our institution. We are dedicated to making our campus, resources, and opportunities available to everyone, regardless of physical, sensory, cognitive, or psychological abilities.
- Inclusion means creating an environment where every member of our community feels valued and empowered to contribute to the vibrant academic and social life of our university.
- Innovation drives us to continually seek new ways to enhance accessibility and inclusion. We embrace forward-focused approaches that break down barriers and open doors for individuals with disabilities.
- Respect is the foundation of how we interact with one another. We affirm the dignity and worth of every individual, committing to fair and equitable treatment for all members of our community.
The Employees with Disabilities Association, an employee resource group, works tirelessly to support the needs and interests of employees with disabilities or different abilities at . Women Living with Disabilities, an outreach group of the Women’s Caucus, holds space for women with disabilities and women with children, parents, or other family members with disabilities to share experiences, resources, and understanding. Finally, the Office of Educational Accessibility ensures that our students with disabilities are assisted in the pursuit of their educational objectives.
This October, the Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity encourages all students, faculty, and staff to observe National Disability Employment Awareness Month by participating in programs, activities, and reflections that promote the full inclusion and access to good jobs for all individuals, including those with disabilities. We also encourage the Monarch Community to engage in our 2024-25 NEA Big Read book selection entitled Sitting Pretty: The View from My Ordinary Resilient Disabled Body by Rebekah Taussig. Physical and electronic copies may be found in our . Please enjoy the provided by the U.S. Department of Labor.