ICI Presents: Disability History and Employment Month Calendar

October 1, 1990 The United Nations General Assembly designated October 1 as the International Day of Older Persons. This year's theme is Fulfilling the Promises of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights for Older Persons: Across Generations.
October 2, 2022 Margarita Elizondo, founder of Rolling with Me, created International Disabled Author's Day, dedicated to increasing disability awareness and inclusion of authors with disabilities and books featuring characters with disabilities as well as supporting literacy efforts that support and benefit disabled people.
October 3, 2024 Join the NDEAM keynote livestream at 3pm ET featuring Liza Sylvestre, a Deaf artist and professor, as she discusses "Working Cripistemologically," focusing on Crip frameworks in art. Sylvestre's work has been exhibited globally, including at the Whitney Museum.
October 4, 2024 Join the National Trends in Disability Employment (nTIDE) Lunch & Learn series on Friday, October 4 for a live Zoom broadcast at 12pm ET. The session covers the latest disability employment data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics jobs report, provides field updates, and features expert panel discussions on disability employment trends.
October 5, 2014 American Veterans Disabled for Life Awareness Day: offering tribute, gratitude, and support for all disabled veterans.
October 6, 1917 Birthday of civil rights leader Fannie Lou Townsend Hamer whose disabilities stemmed from polio and police violence.
October 7, 2015 Team Margot Stem Cell and Bone Marrow Awareness Day: raising awareness about life-saving stem cell and bone marrow registries.
October 8, 1986 Public Law 99-457 passed so that individual states must provide services to families of children born with disabilities from the time they are born.
October 9, 1984 Social Security Disability Benefits Reform Act of 1984 expanded Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) medical eligibility criteria.
October 10, 1992 World Mental Health Day: raising awareness of mental health and destigmatizing mental illness.
October 11, 1987 2nd National March on Washington for Lesbian & Gay Rights focused on AIDS activism and on including the needs of lesbian and gay people of color, those living in poverty, and those with disabilities.
October 12, 2000 The Social Security Administration (SSA) expanded the online Benefits Planner to include information about disability, survivor, and retirement benefits.
October 13, 1979 Writer & activist Audre Lorde gave the keynote speech at the National Third-World Gay and Lesbian Conference titled, “When will the ignorance end?”
October 14, 2021 Mia Mingus, disability justice advocate and educator, received the Robert Coles “Call of Service” award by The Phillips Brooks House Association.
October 15, 1964 White Cane Safety Day, also Blind Americans Equality Day (2011): celebrating the achievements of people who are Blind and visually impaired.
October 16, 1971 Social reformer Mary Elizabeth Switzer, who was best known for her work expanding the 1954 Vocational Rehabilitation Act, died.
October 17, 1956 Birthday of scientist Mae Jemison who worked with the Center for Disease Control helping produce the hepatitis B vaccine.
October 18, 1961 President Kennedy met with a 27-member panel of scientists, doctors, and others to prescribe a plan of action in the field of intellectual disabilities.
October 19, 2007 The SSA published its revised medical listings for “disorders of the digestive system”.
October 20, 1936 Anne Sullivan, the American teacher who educated Helen Keller, died.
October 21, 2024 Join the US International Council on Disabilities for a virtual gala at 6pm EST celebrating NDEAM and honoring Tony Coelho (Dole-Harkin Award) and Ambassador Luis Gallegos (International Advocate Award) with special remarks by actor Ron Livingston.
October 22, 1998 International Stuttering Awareness Day: raising awareness about the issues people face with stuttering and stammering.
October 23, 2018 Texas Representative Sheila Jackson Lee made a statement to the House of Representatives “celebrating the contributions of workers with disabilities.”
October 24, 1963 Maternal and Child Health and Mental Retardation Planning Amendment to the Social Security Act: the first major legislation about mental illness & intellectual disabilities.
October 25, 2000 Ticket to Work initiative: provided benefits planning, assistance, and outreach for persons with disabilities who are returning to work.
October 26, 2001 Elizabeth Jennings, British traditionalist poet who experienced prejudice while struggling with mental health issues and poverty, died.
October 27, 2008 Compassionate Allowances Initiative: helped process disability claims with SSA more quickly for applicants whose medical conditions are severe.
October 28, 2000 Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000: protected people with disabilities who face an increased risk of human trafficking.
October 29, 1992 Rehabilitation Act Amendments (to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973): highlighted employment as the primary goal of vocational rehabilitation.
October 30, 2000 Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000: included provisions supporting people with developmental disabilities in pursing competitive integrated employment.
October 31, 2023 This Halloween, remember: disability is not a costume! Sarah Kim wrote a blog on World Institute on Disability about this issue.

Disability History and Employment Month Calendar: October