by Holly Souter '25, Employee Communications Intern
October 1st marks the official start to National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), a month dedicated to celebrating the contributions workers with disabilities bring to our workplaces across the nation, including here at Lehigh.
Kelly Woodbridge (photo right), Lehigh’s accommodation specialist, is in charge of leading the university’s NDEAM efforts. This is only the second year that NDEAM is being celebrated at Lehigh, Woodbridge said.
“It is a month focused around highlighting the importance of having individuals with disabilities within the workforce, and I like to really capitalize on just the diversity of having those individuals within the workforce, and celebrating the diversity in general and everyone coming together,” Woodbridge said.
To honor NDEAM, Woodbridge has planned a variety of events throughout the month of October that are open to staff and faculty.
Through these events, the goal is to create a more inclusive environment at Lehigh. This will be done by providing opportunities for participation and expanding the conversation around disability awareness and inclusion, Woodbridge said.
One event Woodbridge is most excited about is the film screening of The Ride Ahead, a film about a 21-year-old man with a disability. It discusses his struggles with adulthood and how a community of disability activists helps him.
“I think the film itself is probably one of the most incredible, accessible films that I've seen,” Woodbridge said.
She is also excited about “Supporting Neurodiversity in the Workplace,” a training program Woodbridge has been working on for over a year now. This program will be offered through the Lehigh Valley Association of Independent Colleges (LVAIC) and will focus on teaching supervisors how to support individuals and recognize when they might need accommodations, Woodbridge said.
NDEAM is not solely about the events. Woodbridge said that people can contribute to celebrating by having open conversations, not being afraid to ask questions and being aware that there are individuals on campus with disabilities.
“A lot of people shy away from uncomfortable conversations, so the more that people open to those conversations, it's just going to make a more welcoming and inclusive environment for all,” Woodbridge said.
In higher education settings Woodbridge said that disabilities are often overlooked. People sometimes have the misconception that higher education is a place where people with disabilities aren’t hired.
However, it is a lot more prevalent than people think, Woodbridge said. In fact, she has already completed over 75 accommodations just this year.
Woodbridge encourages staff and faculty to take part in the events planned this year and help to broaden the conversation about disabilities in the workplace.
“I hope people take the time to really get out there and take advantage of the events and are just open to learning,” she said.