News  2026 National Disability Employment Awareness Month Celebration

Massachusetts State House, Great Hall of Flags and on Zoom — Join us for our National Disability Employment Awareness Month Celebration on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, from 11am to 1pm at the Massachusetts State House in the Great Hall of Flags. 

This celebration brings together individuals with disabilities, employers, direct support professionals, policymakers, advocates, state agencies, and community partners from across the Commonwealth. Together, we will recognize employees with disabilities, celebrate employers committed to building inclusive workplaces, and honor direct support workers and legislative champions whose contributions continue to advance access, opportunity, and inclusion.

Following the celebration, we will continue the conversation with an afternoon panel focused on artificial intelligence, disability, and the future of work. The panel will explore the opportunities, challenges, and questions ahead as technology continues to change the way we live and work, while ensuring people with disabilities are part of shaping that future. Additional details coming soon.

National NDEAM Resources

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy offers national NDEAM messages, outreach materials, and resources to help employers and organizations recognize National Disability Employment Awareness Month and promote disability inclusion in the workplace. Explore the 2026 NDEAM resources: link to resources. 

Take a look at this year's program book! (pdf)

Schedule of Events:

11am - 1pm: 
National Disability Employment Awareness Month Celebration
Great Hall of Flags

Program begins at 11:30am

Welcome and Opening Remarks
The Honorable Denise Garlick
Commission Chair and Emcee

Keynote Address
The Honorable Kim Driscoll
Lieutenant Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Remarks

Legislative Recognition
Presented by Senator Robyn Kennedy and Representative Jay Livingstone

Senator Joan Lovely
Senate Legislative Honoree
Remarks

Representative Sean Garballey
House Legislative Honoree
Remarks

Employer Recognition
Presented by Advisory Council Member Elyse Forbush, Commissioner Rachel Kaprielian, and Commissioner Oswald Mondejar

The Langham Hotel Boston
Small-to-Mid-Size Organization Honoree
Remarks by Robin White, Director of People & Culture; Michele Grosso, Managing Director; and Davey Farina, Lobby Greeter

Disability Policy Consortium
Small-to-Mid-Size Organization Honoree
Remarks by Kimberly Bradshaw, Director of Human Resources and Maggie Sheets, Research Coordinator

Eastern Bank
Large Organization Honoree
Remarks by Kathleen Henry, General Counsel and Chief Human Resources Officer and Jessica Rodriguez, Business Systems Analyst and Diverse Abilities Group ERG Co-Chair 

Employment Support Champion
Presented by Commissioner Chris White

Micah Fleisig, JVS Boston
Employment Support Champion Honoree
Remarks

Closing Remarks
The Honorable Denise Garlick
Commission Chair

2pm - 3:30pm: 
Panel Discussion: Artificial Intelligence, Disability, and the Future of Work
Room 428

ASL and CART interpreters will be provided by MCDHH. Lunch will be provided by CWS.

Apply to be Recognized as a 2026 NDEAM Employer Honoree (application is now closed)

The Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities invites organizations across Massachusetts to share their work in creating more accessible, inclusive, and supportive workplaces for employees with disabilities.

As part of our National Disability Employment Awareness Month Celebration, the Commission will recognize employers demonstrating a commitment to disability inclusion through their workplace practices, culture, accessibility efforts, and opportunities for employees with disabilities to succeed.

Selected honorees will include:

• Two small to mid-sized organizations
• One large organization

We encourage organizations at all stages of their disability inclusion journey to complete the Employer Nomination Form and share the work they are doing to create meaningful change.

Please complete this Employer Nomination Form by Wednesday, September 2, 2026. (Deadline extended!)

Please note: Information submitted may be shared publicly as part of the Commission’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month recognition and outreach efforts.

If you have questions, please email Imene Bouziane Saidi at imene.bouzianesaidi@mass.gov.