October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM)!
NDEAM raises awareness about the challenges of employment for people with disabilities and celebrates the various ways employees with disabilities are already contributing in society. The theme for NDEAM 2026 is “Celebrating Value and Talent” which aligns well with our mission at L’Arche where we believe everyone has intrinsic value and a gift to share!
To get a personal perspective on the month, we caught up with Amber (right) and Meaghan (left) who work together at L’Arche Atlanta. Amber is L’Arche Atlanta’s Communications & Stewardship Assistant and Meaghan is the team’s Communications and Development Manager.
“There is always something new to do like working in Canva or in Bloomerang, or doing a mailing. The day goes pretty quickly. I enjoy getting out of the house and learning new things and finding new skills to develop.”
What is a project or task you’ve done as the Communications & Stewardship Assistant that made you proud?
“Most of the time, I like to do Canva posts where we can go into the system and create birthday and anniversary themed designs to celebrate the members of our L’Arche community. I enjoy being able to table community events with Kiah and meet new people to talk about L’Arche with. Recently, I helped with selling beads as part of the fundraiser for our Buzzers + Belonging Benefit. I’m also the point person for ensuring our Clairemont home RSVPs and brings something to share at the monthly potlucks & community gatherings.”
Why do you think it is important for more places to hire people with different abilities?
“Because we should have the same consideration as other people and everyone has something unique to offer. We shouldn’t be looked down on or frowned upon. When places hire people with disabilities, they get new perspectives.”
Meaghan also shared, “When I first joined L’Arche, I knew very little about the organization, so I appreciated Amber’s depth of understanding and her readiness to share her knowledge of our local community. She made my transition and on-the-job training a smooth one. Amber’s attention to detail and her interest in tackling new projects make us a strong team. … We work hard to get the job done, but also find time to laugh and enjoy the moment. After all, isn’t that exactly what L’Arche is about?”
In September 2026, the employment rate for working-age people with disabilities rose to 40.3%, an all-time high! But this is still much lower compared to the 78.1% of people without disabilities who are employed.
Why does the gap exist?
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Ableism & Discrimination: Bias and stereotypes limit access to jobs and career growth.
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Accessibility Barriers: Inaccessible workplaces, technology, job platforms, and access to transportation exclude potential applicants.
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Financial & Systemic Hurdles: Earning income can put essential benefits, like health coverage and disability income, at risk.
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Less Opportunities: Misconceptions and workplace inequities lead to fewer job possibilities overall.
How can you help close the gap?
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Improve Accessibility: Audit your workplace’s digital tools, job applications, and physical spaces.
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Remove Hiring Barriers: Simplify job requirements, offer accommodations, and provide flexible interviews.
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Train for Inclusion: Learn to recognize bias, use inclusive language, and support accommodations.
Together, we can create more employment opportunities that “Celebrate the Value and Talent” of people with disabilities, especially individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. As Amber shared, if we can properly grow in inclusion then we will gain “new perspectives,” building a better society for all.
