North American Inclusion Month (NAIM): History, Facts & Insights

This is an in-depth look at all the must-know facts about North American Inclusion Month (NAIM) (2024) 🗓️ that no one tells you about. North American Inclusion Month (NAIM) is observed on February 1st.

Among the information you’ll find below: the history of North American Inclusion Month (NAIM), activities to do on and how to observe this holiday, as well as intriguing facts you ought to know about North American Inclusion Month (NAIM).

📅 What day is North American Inclusion Month (NAIM) 2024?

In 2024, North American Inclusion Month (NAIM) is on Wednesday, February 1st. It is the 1st Wednesday in February; in 2024, it is Thursday. There are until the next observance. You also can view all the exciting details and facts about February 1, 2023, that you might not be aware of.

North American Inclusion Month is an annual event held in February that aims to raise awareness and advocate for equal opportunities for individuals with disabilities in various aspects of life, such as work and education. People with disabilities, as defined by the United Nations, are those who have long-term impairments, whether physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory, which, when combined with societal and environmental barriers, hinder their full participation in society. The event was established by Yachad, also known as the National Jewish Council for Disabilities. Throughout the month, Yachad and other organizations with similar goals create resources and organize events to promote inclusion, raise awareness, and encourage community involvement.

📜 North American Inclusion Month (NAIM) History

During the Middle Ages, disabilities were seen as punishment for wrongdoing and were associated with demonic behavior. This led to social exclusion and poverty for those who were crippled. In the 18th and 19th centuries, with the rise of the Industrial Revolution, individuals were valued based on their productivity, similar to machines. As a result, people with disabilities were seen as a problem that needed to be fixed or eliminated.

In the United States, disability activism didn’t gain momentum until the early 1970s. The government passed various laws between the 1970s and 1990s to promote the inclusion of individuals with disabilities in society. These laws include the Rehabilitation Act, Education for All Handicapped Children Act, amendments to the Higher Education Act of 1972, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA).

To address the need for more opportunities for people with disabilities, Yachad initiated North American Inclusion Month in 2011 to raise awareness.

✅ North American Inclusion Month (NAIM) Facts

🔖 People with disabilities in America
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that there are 61 million people in the United States who have a disability.

🔖 The leading cause of disabilities
Around 91% of impairments are attributed to various illnesses.

🔖 People with disabilities in the world
The United Nations states that approximately 15% of people worldwide have disabilities.

👍 Why Is North American Inclusion Month (NAIM) Important

People with disabilities face a variety of systemic, architectural, communicative, and technological barriers that limit their ability to perform efficiently. They are also shunned at work.NAIM raises awareness of these concerns by using data to demonstrate how individuals with disabilities are completely excluded from society.

Aside from stigma, most workplaces are not built with individuals with impairments in mind. Furthermore, most firms avoid hiring people with impairments, leaving the majority of them unemployed. During NAIM, sensitivity training educates employers and employees on how to communicate and interact with persons with disabilities. NAIM’s awareness campaigns also highlight the skills of people with disabilities and the advantages of an inclusive workplace.

NAIM offers the option to organize inclusive awareness and outreach initiatives. This assists in identifying the issues faced by persons with disabilities and developing practical solutions to these challenges.

🙂 How To Observe North American Inclusion Month (NAIM)

⚡ Post about inclusion on social media
If you or your organization are actively working towards building a society that promotes inclusivity, it is beneficial to express your ideas and opinions on social media. Doing so will allow you to connect with a larger audience and have a greater impact.

⚡ Schedule a sensitivity training for your organization
Sensitivity training is a technique employed in the growth and progress of organizations to enhance employees’ awareness of their biases and improve their empathy towards others. Various organizations and educational institutions, such as HR University, Oculus, Cornell University, and Catalyst, provide this type of training.

⚡ Host a program on inclusion
You have the option to organize various types of programs such as a discussion show, a forum, or a community outreach initiative. Your task is to come up with a plan, choose a suitable venue (either physical or online), invite guest speakers, and promote the program. Additionally, you can explore the possibility of involving an inclusion specialist who is located nearby and extend an invitation to them.

📅 When is North American Inclusion Month (NAIM)?

You can view all 🔗 February holidays, including 🔗 Special Interest and other 🔗 Awareness holidays.

We will continue to update this page with new information and interesting facts about North American Inclusion Month (NAIM). So be sure to check back soon.