10 Oct National Disability Employment Awareness Month (#NDEAM)
Light It Up! spotlights the many ways people who have a disability contribute to businesses and their communities, helping companies be successful and competitive.
Empower Simcoe is thrilled to announce its participation in the nationwide “Light It Up!” campaign in honor of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). This initiative unites businesses and agencies coast-to-coast in illuminating office buildings in vibrant shades of purple and blue to celebrate diversity and promote inclusivity in the workplace.
By adding its light to this collective effort, Empower Simcoe is emphasizing the importance of creating a workplace environment that embraces individuals of all abilities. The purple and blue hues symbolize strength, unity, and the power of inclusivity, sending a clear message that diversity is not just valued, but vital.
The “Light It Up!” campaign serves as a visual reminder that every person, regardless of their abilities, has a valuable role to play in the workforce. It encourages conversations about disability employment and promotes practices that create equal opportunities for all.
4 Ways to Celebrate NDEAM
- Learn about NDEAM
- Spread the word!
- Share your inclusive employment stories with us at communications@empowersimcoe.ca
- Visit and use hashtag #NDEAM throughout the month of October
- Wear PURPLE on October 19th
Empower Simcoe invites the community to join them in celebrating NDEAM and being a part of this inspiring campaign.
By lighting up our workplaces, we collectively shine a light on the path toward a more inclusive and diverse future.
A Brief History of Light It Up! For NDEAM
2020
- In 16 cities all over Ontario, 28 buildings, bridges, landmarks and municipal signs shone purple and blue for one night (Thursday, October 22). Some businesses in St. John’s, NL, also participated.
- First-ever, Ontario wide event of its kind during National Disability Employment Awareness Month
2021
- The first national Light It Up! For NDEAM
- Across Canada, over 300 locations across all 10 provinces and in two territories, shone purple and blue on Thursday, October 21
- The federal governement participated, illuminating 35 federal buildings nationwide
- Through Light It Up! For NDEAM, National Disability Employment Awareness Month was officially recognized for the first time in some regions of the country.
- Nationwide, the event sparked conversation about the business benefits and economic importance of disability-inclusive hiring.
2022
- Second national Light It Up! For NDEAM
- Evolution from a lighting event to a movement about disability inclusion in business and employment
- Federal government participated, illuminating 36 federal department buildings across Canada
- Government of Ontario participates for the first time, illuminating five buildings, in Peterborough, St. Catharines, Toronto, Orillia and Guelph
- Record participation — almost 440 locations in almost 120 communities nationwide
Canada’s first railway tunnel, Brockville, ON