More Than a Paycheck: Raising Awareness About Inclusive Employment
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), a time to recognize and celebrate the incredible contributions of workers with disabilities while raising awareness about the importance of creating truly inclusive employment opportunities. We believe everyone deserves the opportunity to work, contribute their talents, build independence, and experience the pride that comes with earning a paycheck. But it isn't always an easy process to find a job and manage the logistics that come with it.
I have worked in many places, and my family and I feel that Stop & Shop is the best by far. Everyone is so helpful and kind. They work with me; it is just a different atmosphere.
Marie
To better understand what it is like to be a working person with an intellectual or developmental disability, we spoke with Marie. She dreamed of working and earning her own paycheck, not only for the independence it would provide, but for the simple joys of being able to shop and buy gifts for her family. We asked her to share, in her own words, why employment is meaningful and the difference that an opportunity to work can make in someone’s life.
An Interview with Marie
One woman shares her experience working, managing her money, and what she's learned along the way.
Independence, Confidence, Connection, and Purpose
Marie is one of many people with disabilities who have incredible employment stories. She is a reminder that employment is about so much more than earning a paycheck. It is about independence, confidence, connection, purpose, and having the opportunity to contribute to your community. For Marie, working has given her the chance to meet new people, build friendships, advocate for herself, make her own choices, and enjoy the simple pleasure of spending money she earned herself…including treating her family to coffee and buying gifts for the people she loves.
I also love to spend my money on coffee! We are big coffee people in my family! I like that I can treat my mom and sister to coffee with money that I earned. I find so much joy in doing this because I love to buy gifts for my family. When you make your own money, it just feels different when you buy things.
Marie
Expanding Access to Opportunities
As we celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month, let Marie’s story remind us of the importance of creating workplaces where everyone feels welcome, supported, valued, and empowered to succeed. When people with disabilities are given meaningful opportunities to work, they bring their talents, strengths, determination, and unique perspectives to the workplace, and as Marie shows us, they can thrive.
Employers who would like to hire more people with disabilities can start with this helpful Small Business Toolkit: Hire Workers with Disabilities. We also found a helpful blog post on 5 Ways to Make Your Workplace More Inclusive for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.
One Size Doesn't Fit All
Employment dreams look different for everyone. Sometimes, finding the right opportunity takes time, support, and the courage to try something new. Marie’s advice says it best: “It takes time to find what is the right job for you.” Marie’s story is a reminder that when we create opportunities and believe in people’s potential, we open the door for people to discover not only what they can do, but what they can achieve.
I have worked in many different places, and each experience helped me grow and figure out what works and what does not work for me.
Marie
If you or someone you know would like to learn more about employment opportunities and supports in New Jersey, the Division of Developmental Disabilities’ Office of Transition to Adult Life and Employment is offering an October 2026 National Disability Employment Awareness Month webinar series. The series is open to anyone interested in learning more about employment and includes topics ranging from supported employment and Pre-Employment Transition Services to NJ WorkAbility and Project SEARCH.
October 8 – Employment for All: A Workshop for Individuals and Families on Supported Employment
October 15 – An Overview of Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS)
October 22 – Working and Keeping Your Benefits: Understanding NJ WorkAbility
October 29 – Project SEARCH: Preparing Students and Adults with IDD for Competitive Integrated Employment
