Every October, Goodwill celebrates National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), a United States observance dedicated to highlighting the contributions and accomplishments of workers with disabilities. Moreover, this observance stresses the importance of providing opportunity and accommodations in the workplace.

At Goodwill, over 30% of our workforce or nearly 2,000 employees have a self-identified disability, so celebrating NDEAM is paramount. To do this, Goodwill holds a yearly celebratory event to bring together employees, internal resources and community partners specializing in disability.

Goodwill Mission Coaches, experts who help employees remove barriers and work toward personal and professional goals, host the event. Throughout the year, they work with Goodwill employees with disabilities across 100+ sites to ensure they have the tools and support they need to thrive in their roles, including help in identifying workplace solutions.

“Goodwill leaders can learn more about providing accommodations and maintaining a supportive environment,” said Anthony Collins, lead event organizer and Goodwill Mission Coach. “It also allows employees with disabilities to learn about external support that they might not have known previously.”

The event acts as a resource fair and a networking hub, where people can connect with resources like New Hope and IndyGo Access. Most importantly, however, it’s also a platform to shine a spotlight on incredible stories of Goodwill employees with disabilities.

Kathryn “Katy” Edwards, for example, joined Goodwill and initially struggled to find the role that was right for her. ADHD-related symptoms made it a challenge for her to maintain employment. However, she refused to give up and took advantage of tools at hand, working with a mission coach to develop the skills needed to be successful.

Now, she works full-time, independently and has achieved her ultimate goal of becoming a Goodwill cashier. She wants to remain with Goodwill for as long as possible. By sharing stories like Katy’s, we recognize employees’ perseverance and the importance of individualized support in reaching their goals and uncovering their strengths.

Celebrating NDEAM recognizes a large part of our workforce that contributes to Goodwill’s mission of changing lives everyday, but it also reaffirms our beliefs in the value of the individual and each person’s ability to define, work toward and achieve greater independence. It’s important to us to appreciate the worth and uniqueness of all people by creating an environment where everyone can belong and thrive.

To learn more about Goodwill and what we do, visit goodwillindy.org/what-we-do.