Melwood Neurodiverse Employment Conference Series Marks 75th Anniversary of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM)

October 7, 2020

UPPER MARLBORO, MD, October 7, 2020 – To mark the 75^th anniversary of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), Melwood is hosting the 2020 Neurodiverse Employment Conference, consisting of 16 interactive virtual sessions scheduled weekly from October through December. As one of the nation’s largest nonprofits addressing disability employment and as one of the region’s largest employers of people with disabilities, Melwood is committed to creating a more inclusive world by helping employers embrace neurodiversity – the variation in how we learn and process information.

While representing a large segment of the population – the CDC estimates that 1 in 4 Americans is living with a disability and that nearly 11% of Americans are affected by a cognitive or neurodevelopmental disability – people with disabilities are disproportionately affected by unemployment and underemployment.

“COVID-19 has awakened many of us to the challenges of unemployment from economic struggle to loss of identity. National Disability Employment Awareness Month gives us a chance to highlight the additional burdens faced by people with disabilities not only in this current climate but in general. With this event, we aim to break down barriers and build the infrastructure of inclusion,” said Melwood’s Interim President and CEO, Larysa Kautz.

The 16 free virtual sessions bring together prominent business leaders, policymakers, researchers, assistive technology companies and disability advocates to share best practices to strengthen our efforts to train, hire and retain people with disabilities, including veterans. All sessions are free and open to the public. For more information or to register go to: Registration Link.