National Disability Employment Awareness Month

Diversity and inclusion have been a large topic of conversation in recent years across the workforce of America, and especially here at Rocket Companies^®. October marks National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) and is a time dedicated to taking notice of the importance of having a diversified workforce, specifically including people with disabilities.

Understanding disabilities

Disabilities come in many shapes and forms which include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Attention Deficit Disorder (ADHD)
• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
• Cerebral Palsy
• Cognitive Impairment
• Deaf/Hard of Hearing
• Diabetes
• Emotional Impairment
• Physical Impairment

This list is by no means exhaustive and if you would like to learn more about each specific disability, take the time to read more about each of the listed and other disabilities at the link below.

https://www.michiganallianceforfamilies.org/disability-specific-info/

Breaking the stigma

Having a disability can come with a stigma attached to it in numerous ways, so as part of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, it is up to all of us to continue breaking that stigma wall. Disabilities should not be viewed as a problem, but an opportunity to recognize that each person is different, and we must continue to work toward true inclusivity and equity in all forms and fashions.

Many people with disabilities are afraid to speak out, make changes or create noise around their needs as to not burden others. Adaptation and survival are key words that people with disabilities often find define their life and growth, but we can all continue to strive toward making the workplace better for everyone.

Unstop-ABLE Team Member Resource Network (TMRN)

National Disability Employment Awareness Month is a time to recognize and learn how these different disabilities affect and impact our workspace. 

At Rocket Companies, disability equality is promoted year round through one of our Team Member Resource Networks called Unstop-ABLE. This is a voluntary group dedicated to enhancing diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace, ensuring team members with both visible and invisible disabilities have a support network both in and out of the workplace. This year alone Unstop-ABLE has focused on providing a more inclusive environment for all team members by increasing the use of closed captioning, adding sharps disposal containers not only to bathrooms but also to wellness rooms, and leveling up signage in our buildings with inclusive language and ADA compliance.

These changes were implemented with the phrase “See something, say something,” in mind. Team members have taken notice of the inches around us and helped to make our workplace a little bit better for team members who may not have been comfortable speaking out before.

Being the change

One of the best things you can personally do to help promote disability awareness and change is to take the time to learn. Spending time educating yourself on disabilities is vital to understanding the world from other peoples’ point of view. Learning can take place in brief time increments and many ways. If you are scrolling on your phone today, search “disability” on your chosen social media app and there will be an abundance of content creators speaking about it.

Continue to challenge yourself to learn and adapt your way of thinking to see (and be!) the change you want to see in the world.