Every October, National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) honors the contributions and talents that workers with disabilities bring to the workplace. It serves as a reminder of our ongoing commitment to ensuring individuals with disabilities have access to meaningful employment opportunities — not just in October, but throughout the entire year.

Disability inclusion in the workplace goes beyond simply hiring individuals with disabilities. It involves fostering an environment that respects and embraces individual differences, recognizing the unique strengths each employee contributes. An inclusive workplace ensures that employees with disabilities have equal opportunities to succeed, grow, receive fair compensation, and advance in their careers.

Key insights about disabilities

• Disabilities are a universal experience: Most people will encounter a disabling condition at some point in their lives.
• Expanding the labor pool: Hiring individuals with disabilities broadens the talent pool and enhances workforce diversity.
• Improved patient care: Patients from diverse backgrounds often feel more comfortable with healthcare providers who share similar experiences.
• Fostering understanding and reducing biases: Having mentors and colleagues with disabilities helps promote awareness of different abilities and perspectives, while challenging negative stereotypes.

UCSF resources

UCSF is committed to supporting individuals with disabilities through a variety of resources:

• Disability Management Services (DMS): DMS assists UCSF staff, faculty, residents, fellows, postdoctoral scholars, and student employees whose disabilities impact their ability to work or return to work. By providing guidance on the interactive process and reasonable accommodations, DMS promotes workplace diversity and employee retention while helping employees continue their professional contributions.
• Student Disability Services (SDS): SDS ensures that UCSF students with disabilities have equitable access to participate fully and holistically in all aspects of the university experience.
• Office of Disability Access and Inclusion: This office serves as another important resource for individuals with disabilities at UCSF.

Learn more

Find more information about NDEAM and how you can support disability inclusion in the workplace.